GASTROGARD® ORAL PASTE
(omeprazole USP)
37% w/w Oral Paste for Equine Gastric Ulcers

Gastric ulcers are the result of naturally occurring acids damaging the lining of the stomach – and are typically a by-product of stress. They are a common condition that affects all types of horses at any age and the incidence of gastric ulcer is higher than most think. Almost 100 percent of race horses and 35% of pleasure riding horses are affected.^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9}
Veterinarians have long been aware of the high prevalence of gastric ulcers in racehorses and other types of performance horses. However, recent studies are revealing that gastric ulcers can be triggered by the activities of horses used for leisure, including trailering and light work.¹

The Consequences of Ulcers

While gastric ulcers tend to be under-diagnosed, the pain and impact they cause can be significant and include:

• Impeded growth of foals – and, in some instances can be fatal
• Colic in foals and occasionally in adults
• Temperament can be adversely affected making training and handling more difficult
• Hard to maintain adequate food intake
• Loading for transportation and behavior in the trailer can become challenging
• Optimal health, fitness and performance cannot be reached
• Emergence of stable vices, including stall walking, cribbing or weaving

Only GASTROGARD from Merial delivers proven prevention & treatment of this performance robbing health condition. It offers the flexibility of being used 3 ways:

• Preventing Ulcers - Administer once daily during periods of risk (one quarter tube per day)
• Treating Existing Ulcers - Administer once daily for 28 days (one tube per day)
• Preventing Recurrence of Ulcers – Following treatment, administer once daily for an additional 28 days (half a tube per day)

The choice of champions including Canada's Ian Millar, Show Jumping Silver Medalist

Key Features:

• Effective – even during training
• Proven safety in horses and foals
• Convenient paste formulation
• The choice of champions, including Canada’s Ian Millar, Show Jumping Silver Medalist

INDICATIONS:

To aid in improving, healing and preventing the occurrence and recurrence of gastric ulcers, in horses and foals nine weeks of age and older.

Available through your veterinarian.

Presentation:

7 x 2.28 g tube
72 x 2.28 g tube

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1. White G et al. Effects of short-term light to heavy exercise on gastric ulcer development in horses and efficacy of omeprazole paste in preventing gastric ulceration. JAVMA, 2007; 230(11): 1680-1682

2. Bertone JJ. Prevalence of gastric ulcers in elite, heavy use western performance horses. Proceedings AAEP 2000; 46:256-259.
3. Bill RJW, et al: Prevalence of gastric ulceration in racehorses. NZ Vet J 2007; 55(1):13-8.
4. Chameroy KA, et al. Prevalence of non-glandular gastric ulcers in horses involved in a univerity riding program. JEVS 2006; 26(J):207-211.
5. Dionne RM, Vrins AA, Doucet MY. Gastric ulcers in Standardbred race horses : prevalence, lesion description, and risk factors. J Vet Intern Med 2003;17:218-222.
6. Johnson JH, et al. Field survey of the prevalence of gastric ulcers in Thoroughbred race horses and on response to treatment of affected horses with omeprazole paste. Equine Vet Ed 2001;13:221-224.
7. McClure SR, Glickman LT, Glickman NW. Prevalence of gastric ulcers in show horses. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1999; 215:1130-1133.
8. Mitchell RD. Prevalence of gastric ulcrers in hunter/jumper and dressage horses evaluated for poor performance. Proceedings of the Association of Equine Sports Medicine Annual Meeting 2001.
9. Nieto JE, et al. Prevalence of gastric ulcers in endurance horses – a preliminary report. Equine Vet J 2004; 167(1):33-37.