Efficacy of omeprazole paste for prevention of gastric ulcers in horses in race training.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the minimal effective dosage of omeprazole oral paste for the prevention of naturally occurring ulcers in horses starting race training.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
175 horses.


METHODS
Horses in the dose selection portion of the study were sham dose treated or received 1 mg (0.45 mg/lb) or 2 mg (0.9 mg/lb) of omeprazole/kg, PO, every 24 hours for 28 days or 4 mg of omeprazole/kg (1.8 mg/lb; loading dose), PO, every 24 hours for 4 days, then 1 or 2 mg of omeprazole/kg, PO, every 24 hours for 24 days. Horses in the dose confirmation portion of the study were sham dose treated or received 1 mg of omeprazole/kg, PO, every 24 hours for 28 days. Gastric ulcer scores at the beginning and end of the study were compared.


RESULTS
Sham-dose-treated horses had significantly higher ulcer scores than did horses treated with any of the omeprazole dosages evaluated. Among horses treated with omeprazole, there was no significant interaction of dose (1 or 2 mg/kg) and loading dose; therefore, the lowest effective dose (1 mg/kg) was evaluated in the dose confirmation portion of the study. In the dose confirmation study, 4 of 39 (10%) sham-dose-treated horses remained ulcer free, which was significantly different from the proportion of horses (31/38 [82%]) receiving 1 mg of omeprazole/kg that remained ulcer free. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE; Results indicated that omeprazole administered at a dosage of 1 mg/kg, PO, every 24 hours for 28 days was effective for prevention of gastric ulcers in horses starting race training.
McClure
Scott R
SR
College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-1250,USA.
White
Gary W
GW
Sifferman
Roger L
RL
Bernard
William
W
Doucet
Michèle Y
MY
Vrins
Andre
A
Holste
John E
JE
Fleishman
Candis
C
Alva
Roberto
R
Cramer
Luiz G
LG
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D009824:Ointments; D009853:Omeprazole