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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
   
| In the past several months, my 16 yr old has had two "episodes" I say episode because he acted like he didn't have an appetite but not a full-blown colic. Both times, I IV'd 10 ccs of Banamine and both times, within 10 minutes, he acted normal. Well, being the worry wart that I am, I had the vet come do some blood work. We found that he was low on phosphorus, and mildly anemic. We are suspecting ulcers but the only way to tell is a scope. OSU is $200 another local vet here is $250, (my vet doesn't have a scope). It isn't the money that is keeping me from scoping, more the stress of the ordeal - has to be off food, water, so long, the drive - IF the weather even would allow. I am just not convinced that it IS ulcers - and it may be nothing? - I have decided to start giving a blood builder (Red Cell) and Bio Sponge then have his blood tested again after apprx 30 days. I'd love to hear other's thoughts on this. |
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Addicted to Baseball
Location: Where the stars at night are big and bright, TX | You can put them on Omeprazole and give it a few days, you'll know if they're feeling better really almost within a feeding or two or a day or two. No need to scope. We put our horses on Succeed to heal any hind gut worries. It's a good preventative.
Edited by Tilt The Kilt 2014-01-07 6:49 AM
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
| Tilt The Kilt - 2014-01-06 11:24 AM
You can put them on Omeprazole and give it a few days, you'll know if they're feeling better really almost within a feeding or two or a day or two. No need to scope.
But other than those 2 episodes, he is feeling completey normal - running, bucking, (farting) - so I don't think I will be able to tell a difference - that's the problem - it just seemed so "random." |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| Wow, that is expensive to scope, my vet charges $60. I agree with the above posted, treat him and if you see improvement you know he has ulcers. My guy went off his feed, scope was broken so vet gave him 1 dose of the paste-can't think of the name- and he immediately started eating again. I think they are now saying you don't have to use near as much of the paste as first thought. My gelding got 1/2 tube for 10 days. |
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Addicted to Baseball
Location: Where the stars at night are big and bright, TX | Griz - 2014-01-06 11:32 AM Tilt The Kilt - 2014-01-06 11:24 AM You can put them on Omeprazole and give it a few days, you'll know if they're feeling better really almost within a feeding or two or a day or two. No need to scope. But other than those 2 episodes, he is feeling completey normal - running, bucking, (farting ) - so I don't think I will be able to tell a difference - that's the problem - it just seemed so "random."
Well I'd rather treat than add the expense of a scope. You'll know quick enough if it's made any difference. |
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Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| Griz - 2014-01-06 11:32 AM Tilt The Kilt - 2014-01-06 11:24 AM You can put them on Omeprazole and give it a few days, you'll know if they're feeling better really almost within a feeding or two or a day or two. No need to scope. But other than those 2 episodes, he is feeling completey normal - running, bucking, (farting ) - so I don't think I will be able to tell a difference - that's the problem - it just seemed so "random."
I could tell something was going on with my gelding, dull eyes and just looked like he did not feel good. I have had mine randomly refuse to eat Nutrena safe choice, after eliminating sickness, etc I decided it was just the feed they did not like. Nutreana is not a fixed feed and bags can be different, one of the events that led me to take everyone off of grain. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 999
Location: Sunny So Cal | I would give him THE GastroPlus for one month. This will fix whatever digestive issues your horse is having as well as take care of the ulcers. Most horses only need it for a month, some 2 or 3. It just depends on how bad it is and it does not sound like it is bad. |
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  Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4553
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | You can scope for $200 or treat omeprazole for $150 and save $50. It won't be wasted. |
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 BHW's Lance Armstrong 
Posts: 11134
Location: Somewhere between S@%&# stirrer and Saint | I would contact me! |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
| cow pie - 2014-01-06 1:03 PM You can scope for $200 or treat omeprazole for $150 and save $50. It won't be wasted.
The drug my vet was recommending was almost $1000 for 30 days - (I think it was Ulcer Guard or Gastro Guard - can't remember, I did write it down) - which is why I was leaning towards the scope.
I am really leaning towards a (gradual) feed change. He is on a 12% sweet feed now - in the past, he wouldn't TOUCH any type of pellet, a friend brought me some of her feed to see if he would eat it before I wasted money on a 50 pound bag and he would eat it. |
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BHW's Lance Armstrong
Posts: 11134
Location: Somewhere between S@%&# stirrer and Saint | Griz - 2014-01-06 1:13 PM cow pie - 2014-01-06 1:03 PM You can scope for $200 or treat omeprazole for $150 and save $50. It won't be wasted. The drug my vet was recommending was almost $1000 for 30 days - (I think it was Ulcer Guard or Gastro Guard - can't remember, I did write it down) - which is why I was leaning towards the scope.
I am really leaning towards a (gradual) feed change. He is on a 12% sweet feed now - in the past, he wouldn't TOUCH any type of pellet, a friend brought me some of her feed to see if he would eat it before I wasted money on a 50 pound bag and he would eat it.
Edited by Douglas J Gordon 2014-01-06 7:53 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1488
| Douglas J Gordon - 2014-01-06 7:45 PM
Griz - 2014-01-06 1:13 PM cow pie - 2014-01-06 1:03 PM You can scope for $200 or treat omeprazole for $150 and save $50. It won't be wasted. The drug my vet was recommending was almost $1000 for 30 days - (I think it was Ulcer Guard or Gastro Guard - can't remember, I did write it down) - which is why I was leaning towards the scope.
I am really leaning towards a (gradual) feed change. He is on a 12% sweet feed now - in the past, he wouldn't TOUCH any type of pellet, a friend brought me some of her feed to see if he would eat it before I wasted money on a 50 pound bag and he would eat it.
So there's only a 10% chance it will work?
Or only guaranteed to cure 10% of all ulcers?
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Expert
Posts: 1488
| Griz - 2014-01-06 1:13 PM cow pie - 2014-01-06 1:03 PM You can scope for $200 or treat omeprazole for $150 and save $50. It won't be wasted. The drug my vet was recommending was almost $1000 for 30 days - (I think it was Ulcer Guard or Gastro Guard - can't remember, I did write it down) - which is why I was leaning towards the scope.
I am really leaning towards a (gradual) feed change. He is on a 12% sweet feed now - in the past, he wouldn't TOUCH any type of pellet, a friend brought me some of her feed to see if he would eat it before I wasted money on a 50 pound bag and he would eat it.
were you like
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BHW's Lance Armstrong
Posts: 11134
Location: Somewhere between S@%&# stirrer and Saint | DD2012 - 2014-01-06 7:48 PM Douglas J Gordon - 2014-01-06 7:45 PM Griz - 2014-01-06 1:13 PM cow pie - 2014-01-06 1:03 PM You can scope for $200 or treat omeprazole for $150 and save $50. It won't be wasted. The drug my vet was recommending was almost $1000 for 30 days - (I think it was Ulcer Guard or Gastro Guard - can't remember, I did write it down) - which is why I was leaning towards the scope.
I am really leaning towards a (gradual) feed change. He is on a 12% sweet feed now - in the past, he wouldn't TOUCH any type of pellet, a friend brought me some of her feed to see if he would eat it before I wasted money on a 50 pound bag and he would eat it. So there's only a 10% chance it will work? Or only guaranteed to cure 10% of all ulcers?
Edited by Douglas J Gordon 2014-01-06 7:57 PM
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Member
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| Omeprasole only gets the stomach ulcers you need probiotics to get the hind gut ulcers if he has them. actually my one mare just did something similar to what you said and I gave her probiotic paste (probios) 15 cc twice a day and she was eating fine the next day. mine mare would eat but would take her til the next feeding to have it cleaned up and wasn't drinking very much. the probiotics did the trick. I gave it for like three days and she has been fine ever since. Hope this helps. pretty inexpensive to try because it wont hurt him even if he don't have ulcers. |
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Expert
Posts: 4766
Location: Bandera, TX | Remove all grain!!! No sweet anything, no soy. Try alfalfa pellets and either rice bran pellets or Boss for a month. Then tell us how your horse is doing. I would treat with omeprazole and Forco. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
| DD2012 - 2014-01-06 7:49 PM Griz - 2014-01-06 1:13 PM cow pie - 2014-01-06 1:03 PM You can scope for $200 or treat omeprazole for $150 and save $50. It won't be wasted. The drug my vet was recommending was almost $1000 for 30 days - (I think it was Ulcer Guard or Gastro Guard - can't remember, I did write it down) - which is why I was leaning towards the scope.
I am really leaning towards a (gradual) feed change. He is on a 12% sweet feed now - in the past, he wouldn't TOUCH any type of pellet, a friend brought me some of her feed to see if he would eat it before I wasted money on a 50 pound bag and he would eat it. were you like
Crack me up - YES, I was like that! I'm glad I didn't bet my friend $100 that he wouldn't eat it! |
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 Expert
Posts: 1313
Location: Georgia | I would change your feed for sure. No corn, oats or molassas. High fiber low starch feed is better with some alfalfa or perrinnial peanut hay in a slow feed net. I also strongly reccomend Ulser Shield. Horses do really well on it. www.choiceofchamps.com save 10% and free shipping with coupon code cockk in the promo section. 1 gallon is $60 and will last 1 horse for 2 months |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 950
Location: MO | Douglas J Gordon - 2014-01-06 7:53 PM DD2012 - 2014-01-06 7:48 PM Douglas J Gordon - 2014-01-06 7:45 PM Griz - 2014-01-06 1:13 PM cow pie - 2014-01-06 1:03 PM You can scope for $200 or treat omeprazole for $150 and save $50. It won't be wasted. The drug my vet was recommending was almost $1000 for 30 days - (I think it was Ulcer Guard or Gastro Guard - can't remember, I did write it down) - which is why I was leaning towards the scope.
I am really leaning towards a (gradual) feed change. He is on a 12% sweet feed now - in the past, he wouldn't TOUCH any type of pellet, a friend brought me some of her feed to see if he would eat it before I wasted money on a 50 pound bag and he would eat it. So there's only a 10% chance it will work? Or only guaranteed to cure 10% of all ulcers?
I'm good with them NOT doing back flips at the end of 30 days. :0) Sorry, couldn't help it.
To the OP...treat your horse, it won't be a waste! |
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Possible Ulcers? What would you do?