2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Clydesdale Percheron P value Age 5 (3-7.5) 6 (3-8.5) 6 (4-9.5) 0.33 BCS 6 (6-7) a 6 (5-6) b 6 (6-7) a,b 0.007 Nonglandular (NG) gastric ulcers, as part of the equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS), are common in performance horses and the current FDA-approved pharmaceutical agent, omeprazole is effective in treatment, but expensive and alters gastric juice pH. Recently, there has been interest in natural feed supplements that improve stomach health and can be used in horses competing in drug-free competitions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a feed supplement containing porcine collagen hydrolysates on gastric ulcer scores and gastric juice pH in stall-confined horses, treated with omeprazole and undergoing intermittent feeding. Ten Thoroughbreds were used in a two-period crossover study. The supplement (CHL; collagen hydrolysates, 45 grams) was mixed with sweet feed (Omelene 100, Purina Animal Nutrition, LLC, Gray Summit, MO) or sweet feed only (Control group) twice daily for two 56-day periods. From days 14 to 28, both treatment groups were administered omeprazole (OME; 4.0 mg/kg, P.O., Q.D.; Gastrogard Ò , Merial Limited, Duluth, GA) and from days 42 to 49, horses underwent an alternating feed-deprivation period, to induce or worsen ulcers. 1 Gastroscopies were performed on all horses on days À1 (before treatment) and days14, 28, 42, 49 and 56. Gastric juice was aspirated pH measured at each scoping. Nonglandular gastric ulcer number (NGN) and severity (NGS) scores were assigned at each examination by the PI (FMA), who was masked to treatment. Data were analyzed using an ANOVA for repeated measures and when significant differences were found in the main model, a post-hoc Tukey's test was used to determine significant differences of P < 0.05. The CHL-supplement in powder form, mixed with the grain, was readily consumed by all horses and no adverse effects were seen. Mean NGN and NGS gastric ulcer scores were lower at each gastroscopy examination and a significant treatment effect was seen on day 56 of the study. In addition, gastric ulcer scores were significantly lower in both groups on day 28, compared to the other days, due to omeprazole treatment. By day 42, two weeks after omeprazole was discontinued, ulcers reoccurred in both groups of horses. On day 49, gastric ulcer scores were significantly increased due to intermittent feeding, but no treatment effect was observed. Gastric juice pH values were low and variable throughout the trial period, except on day 28 when pH was significantly higher in CHL-supplement treated group compared to control group. Omeprazole treatment was effective in increasing gastric juice pH and significantly decreasing gastric ulcers scores. In addition, the collagen hydrolysate supplement significantly increased gastric juice pH while horses were on omeprazole treatment.