Ulcer medication dosing question

[targetsmom]

Max has been on Gastroguard for the past month at the full dose for ulcer treatment. At 150 pounds, he is getting 1/8 of a tube per day (a full tube treats a 1,250 pound horse). My vet recommends that he get a half dose for a second month, but I wonder how the heck I can do 1/16 of a tube? I calculate 1/8 of a tube is less than 1 cc. Any suggestions? Diluting the medication? Putting it into a small syringe?

BTW, I am actually using Ulcerguard, which I was told is the same as Gastroguard just labeled differently. It is labeled to use 1/4 of a tube daily for a 1,250 pound horse (not for ulcer treatment but for prevention), so it is easy to split that in half for Max.

 

[Becky]

Using UlcerGuard for prevention, I give 2 notches on the tube. For treatment, I give 4 notches. That dosage has worked well here for horses ranging from about 150 lbs to 250 lbs.

 

[Sandee]

Using UlcerGuard for prevention, I give 2 notches on the tube. For treatment, I give 4 notches. That dosage has worked well here for horses ranging from about 150 lbs to 250 lbs.

Yep, for prevention my vet says 2 notches for my minis (around 250 lbs)

 

[albahurst]

We treat active ulcers using the dosage of 50 lbs per notch of Gastro Gard (so, for us it works out to 4-5 notches, depending on the horse). We have a horse that has even gotten ulcers while ON the Gastro Gard (we put her on it while at a show but she popped ulcers anyway) ! So, our vet has highly recommended to also use Neigh Lox IN ADDITION to the Gastro Gard- we use 2 TBSP twice daily of the Neigh Lox. Now we use Neigh Lox and Gastro Gard in combination for the first month and then we continue with Neigh Lox for a period of time after the GG has been finished. This protocol has worked WONDERFULLY! I would certainly consider using the Neigh Lox.

 

[targetsmom]

Thanks!!! I knew this was the right place to ask. Good to know the 1 notch per 50 pounds, because that works out to the 3 notches Max has been getting. He is also getting Stomach Soother and that was partly to get him to eat as his appetite was poor when he got here. I will look into the Neigh Lox because obviously the Stomach Soother didn't prevent ulcers/a relapse. Of course in his case I not only want to prevent ulcers but also an impaction colic, as we do not want another surgery.

 

[albahurst]

Thanks!!! I knew this was the right place to ask. Good to know the 1 notch per 50 pounds, because that works out to the 3 notches Max has been getting. He is also getting Stomach Soother and that was partly to get him to eat as his appetite was poor when he got here. I will look into the Neigh Lox because obviously the Stomach Soother didn't prevent ulcers/a relapse. Of course in his case I not only want to prevent ulcers but also an impaction colic, as we do not want another surgery.

I might also suggest soothing body work to calm down his nervous system. He might be in pain from past treatment/surgery? I do myofascial release on my horses. You can pm me if you want more info

 

[targetsmom]

Thanks for the suggestion of soothing body work Albahurst. He is off the show string and seems to be quite relaxed and content here. He gets daily turnout on grass and other wise is in a stall with a run attached where he can interact with our other minis. Yes, when the symptoms first appeared it was really hard to tell if it was ulcers, colic symptoms, or maybe adhesions from the July surgery. But the Ulcerguard seemed to help immediately so we are keeping it up for the full month.

 

[albahurst]

Body work (done correctly) never hurts and would be helpful to any horse at any time IMO. Not saying he isn't a relaxed camper and has it easy- but he has been through a stressful situation.

All my horses get body treatments from time to time just 'because'...... whether or not anything is amiss. They love it and have been known to come 'begging' for more