Omeprazole is often used to treat equine gastric ulcer syndrome and is effective when the horse is being dosed daily. Once treatment stops, the ulcers may recur rapidly. Glandular ulcers may recur as rapidly as within three days. Tapering the medication dose is unlikely to minimize this rebound effect as previously thought.
Australian researchers found gastrin production in horses does not parallel human rebound gastric hyperacidity as previously thought. Omeprazole is known to interfere with the normal feedback loop between gastrin which stimulates hydrochloric acid production in the stomach and gastric pH.
While rebound gastric hyperacidity may occur the use of tapering protocols for omeprazole in equine medicine are not justified in the horse . . . at least for treatment durations of eight weeks and less.”
Sources:
Caretakers are advised to focus EGUS prevention primarily on long-term management:
- Decreasing exercise intensity and frequency, if possible.
- Providing free-choice roughage during the day.
- Offering alfalfa for its inherent buffering capacity.
- Allowing horses access to turnout, if possible.
- Limiting NSAIDs and restricting their use to only when necessary.