• Technical Bulletins on Current Research
• The GREAT Trials

Technical Bulletins

• For more information about the efficacy of GASTROGARD, read the Technical Bulletin entitled Cimetidine Fails Efficacy Testing at UC Davis Center for Equine Health.
• Another Technical Bulletin entitled Diminishing Returns: Compounded Omeprazole Products Found to Have Little or No Value will provide further information about the efficacy of GASTROGARD in the treatment of EGUS.
• R.D. Mitchell's article entitled Prevalence of Gastric Ulcers in Hunter/Jumper and Dressage Horses Evaluated for Poor Performance will provide additional information about EGUS in this type of performance horse.
  

 

 

The GREAT Program

GASTROGARD Real Assessment Test -- is in full swing and we have some GREAT Results to report. Between the GREAT trials and the success stories, GASTROGARD has established an unprecedented record.

90% of Horses "Scoped" had Ulcers

A total of 560 horses, from the stables of the top trainers in the country, were examined endoscopically for ulcers at three of the leading thoroughbred tracks -- 168 horses at Churchill Downs (KY); 178 at Calder, (FL) and 214 horses at Santa Anita (CA). Of the horses scoped, 505 had ulcers, confirming the expected high prevalence of ulcers. This demonstrated to these top trainers, many of whom did not believe that so many horses had ulcers, that in a "real-life" setting, we have seen ulcer prevalence rates as high as observed in published studies. The interest from trainers, owners and veterinarians has been incredible -- so much so that ulcers and GASTROGARD have become the main topis of discussion at these tracks as a direct result of the GREAT Program!

20% of Horses with Ulcers had been treated with unapproved products,

mostly H2 Blockers (cimetidine or ranitidine). Of the 505 horses with ulcers, 111 had been treated with unapproved medications. Some trainers/veterinarians were not available to confirm prior medication at the time of scoping so it is possible that the actual number of horses with ulcers in spite of treatment with unapproved products, might be even higher.

In Kentucky, 100% of Horses treated with GASTROGARD Healed or Improved.

One hundred nine of the 142 horses with confirmed ulcers were available for scoping after treatment with GASTROGARD in the GREAT Program in Kentucky. All had healed or improved ulcers and 60% had completely healed stomachs.

Here are some typical comments received from trainers and owners who participated in the GREAT Program:

"He's eating a lot better and has gained some weight."

"100% better attitude and coat looking better also."

"Doing wonderfully, complete turnaround"

"Eating and training better. Won last time out!"

In Summary

The results that have been seen to date confirm the expected high prevalence of ulcers in Thoroughbred racehorses, the variable efficacy of unapproved H2 blockers and the excellent efficacy of GASTROGARD.