Omeprazole + Sucralfate Oral Suspension 

Gastric ulcers are very common in horses, with a prevalence estimated at between 50 and 90 percent. Ulcers can affect horses at any age, but typically occur in performance horses (horses that perform activities such as racing, endurance and showing). It has been found that exercise increases gastric acid production and decreases blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract.1 Complicating matters, when horses engage in strenuous exercise, the acidic fluid in the stomach splashes and exposes the more vulnerable upper portion of the stomach to high acidity. The prevalence of gastric ulceration in Thoroughbreds in race training varies from 70% to 94%; most sport horses are similarly affected.2

Compared to other species of similar size, the stomach of the horse is relatively small. This makes horses frequent grazers, because they can only handle relatively small amounts of food. “In a natural grazing situation, a steady flow of acid is required for digestion, so a horse’s stomach produces acid 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – up to 9 gallons of acidic fluid per day, even when not eating. In a natural, high-roughage diet, the acid is buffered by both feed and saliva. When horses are fed two times per day, which is common in many boarding situations, the stomach is subjected to a prolonged period without feed to neutralize the acid.”1 

Clinical Signs of Gastric Ulcers

While most horses suffering from gastric ulcers do not show outward clinical symptoms, some of the more subtle signs can include:

• Lethargy

• Poor appetite

• Behavioral changes

• Decreased performance

• Poor body condition

• Poor coat

• Weight loss

• Colic1

Serious cases may evidence abdominal pain and/or grinding of the teeth.1,2 Occasionally, a horse with advanced ulcerative disease may be found on its back. This is more common with foals, and it is believed that this position provides relief from the pain associated with acidic fluids bathing sensitive parts of the stomach. Some horses will walk away from food if they experience discomfort with the first mouthful.1

In foals, the clinical signs of ulcerative disease include intermittent colic, frequent recumbency, reduced nursing, diarrhea, poor appetite, a pot-bellied appearance, grinding of teeth, and excess salivation.1 If a foal exhibits clinical signs, the ulcers are likely to be severe and should be diagnosed and treated immediately.

Where to buy Omeprazole + Sucralfate Oral Suspension 

Omeprazole and Sucralfate are available in the U.S. as an oral suspension through veterinary custom compounding companies. 

FOR RX ONLY: A valid prescription from a licensed veterinarian is required for dispensing this medication.

1Young, A. Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome. In: Journal UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, July 29, 2019. 

2Andrews, F. Gastric Ulcers in Horses. In: Merck Veterinary Manual, Jan. 2014.

3Loving, N. Research on Treatment of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome. In: EquiManagement.com, Jan 13, 2019.

5Sykes BW, Sykes KM, Hallowell GD. A comparison of three doses of omeprazole in the treatment of equine gastric ulcer syndrome: a blinded, randomised, dose-response clinical trial. Equine Vet J. 2015;47(3):285-290.