Effect of Two Natural Dietetic Feed Supplements on Nonglandular Gastric Ulcer Score, Gastric Fluid pH, and Blood Gas Values in Horses

Two dietetic supplements, SLH and 250, improved nonglandular gastric ulcer scores after 5 weeks of feeding

1. Introduction

Gastric ulcers are common in horses. Many commercially available feed supplements tout efficacy in treatment and prevention, but limited data are available. This study evaluated the effect of two commercially available dietetic supplements,^a  250 and SLH, on gastric ulcer scores in stall-confined horses undergoing feed deprivation.

2. Materials and Methods

This study was a masked 3-period, 3-treatment, cross-over study using 9 Thoroughbreds. SLH or 250 or no treatment (control) was mixed with sweet feed and fed for 35 days. Horses were stall-confined and treated for 21 days, then were treated for 7 days during alternating feed deprivation and an additional 7 days after feed deprivation (during the final two periods only). Gastroscopy was performed on days 0, 21, 28, and 35. Gastric juice pH was measured, and nonglandular (NG) gastric ulcer scores were assigned. Venous blood gases were measured during the beginning of periods 1 and 3. 

3. Results

There was no treatment effect for the first 28 days in the horses. Mean NG gastric ulcer score significantly increased in the 250 and control groups from day 21 to day 28 as a result of feed deprivation. By day 35, SLH- and 250-treated horses showed significantly lower NG ulcer scores when compared with untreated controls. Total CO₂ concentration was significantly increased in 250- and SLH-treated horses 24 hours after feeding when compared with the 12-hour samples. Also, PCO₂ was significantly increased 2 hours after 250 and SLH feeding compared with the untreated controls.

4. Discussion

No group treatment effects were seen in the first 28 days of the study. However, both 250- and SLHsupplemented groups had significantly less severe ulcers 1 week after the feed-deprivation period (day 35 of treatment). Both SLH and 250 fed to horses improved NG gastric ulcers scores but required 5 weeks of continuous feeding.

This study was funded by a grant from the Equine Health Studies Program and the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Equine Fund. The Egusin® supplements were provided by Centaur, Inc.

Footnote

^a Egusin®, Centaur, Inc., Overland Park, KS 66061.