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Case Study of a Filly With Gastric
Ulcers Receiving GastroPLUS
"Whiz"
American Quarter Horse filly
Foaled: February 4, 2000
Click here to see before and after photos of Whiz.
Click here to see Whiz's before and after endoscopy images.
GastroPLUS
History:
This weanling filly was purchased by her present owner as a rescue case. The
owner felt that with good food and care, this filly would be able to reach her
full potential. A monetary deposit was put on the filly approximately two months
after birth, with a contract stating that the filly would be properly cared for
and delivered after weaning, both healthy and sound. The buyer required this
guarantee due to the horrendous condition of most of the other horses owned by
the seller. Whiz did appear to be of sound health at the time the purchase
agreement was signed.
Shortly after, this filly began to show numerous symptoms of ill thrift and
health. In addition to her poor haircoat, and pot-belly, she developed a large
swelling under her jaw. This swelling grew and with hot packs applied by the
purchaser, it burst yellow/green muco-purulent discharge.
It was concluded through the purchaser's veterinarian that Whiz was suffering
from strangles. The filly became depressed and weak, and her condition worsened.
The seller agreed to de-worm the filly with the Ivermectin the buyer had
purchased.
The filly Whiz was delivered to the new owner on approximately June 1, 2000.
Whiz was found to be listless, extremely underweight, anorexic, had a very poor
haircoat, and a bloated belly. All 4 legs were swollen and warm to the touch,
especially around the joints. Her left hind leg had suffered a traumatic injury
below the hock causing a "curb". The new owner consulted two different
veterinarians and tried to restore the filly back to good health with good food
and tender loving care.
Unfortunately the filly's worsening condition necessitated transporting her to
San Diego Equine Therapy on June 9, 2000 for continuous care. Veterinarian Kim
Sergent arrived shortly after the filly and diagnosed severe pneumonia, "curb"
in the left hind leg, and ephysitis due to malnutrition. A blood panel was run
to see how the filly was doing systematically. The filly's temperature was 102
F. Bute was prescribed for fever and inflammation, and antibiotics were to be
started as soon as the blood work results were received.
Whiz's condition worsened. She became even more depressed and anorexic. The
filly would nibble on hay only, but refused all grain, supplements, and feeds of
any kind. On June 11, 2000 she was started on the antibiotic Naxcel, 15cc IM
BID, 2cc Banamine IV, to 1.5cc Banamine IV BID as needed for fever, 10
Zantac (Ranitidine), 2 to 3 times per day, plus yogurt. She was also de-wormed
with half dose of Ivermectin, to be repeated in 7 days. Laser and ultrasound
therapy were used to treat the curb on the left hind leg. The laser was also
applied to all the hot and inflamed fetlock and pastern joints, with poultices
and bandages applied thereafter. This was repeated daily.
The antibiotic therapy with Naxcel was continued through June 26, 2000. Blood
panels were re-run every 5 to 7 days as needed. On June 27, 2000 the antibiotics
were changed to Rifampin and Erthromycin. The Ranitidine (Zantac 75) and
Banamine were continued.
While Whiz looked a bit brighter and ate a little better on the new medications,
the improvement only lasted a few days. By July 1, 2000 she was worsening. Her
fevers did finally come down to nearly normal, but she had become depressed even
more than usual.
On July 3, 2000 Whiz was transported to Helen Woodward Animal Center for Dr.
Lucy Edens, a neonatal specialist to evaluate and treat. The filly was
hospitalized for 3 days and numerous tests were run to help determine Whiz's
problems. Transtracheal aspiration, thoracic radiographs, numerous blood tests,
and a gastroscopy were performed.
The diagnosis was severe gastric ulceration of the squamous mucosa along the
margo plicatus with significant hemorrhage occurring as a result of the ulcers.
Whiz was also diagnosed with broncho-interstitial pneumonia, allergic airway
disease, encysted small strongyles or other endoparasitism, and immune-mediated
polyarthritis.
Her treatment regime continued the same antibiotics, Rifampin and Erythromycin.
The rantidine was continued with the dosage slightly increased to 12 instead of
10 tablets 3 times per day. Gastrogard®
was recommended. The owner wanted to try
the another product for treating gastric ulcers called
GastroPlus.
On July 6, 2000 Whiz began receiving GastroPlus at 15cc of powder mixed in water
given twice daily on an empty stomach. Her feed was withheld for 1-hour prior
and 1-hour after each dose. The filly's antibiotic therapy continued as
prescribed with 3,750 mgs of erythromycin orally 3 times per day and Rifampin
200 mgs orally twice per day. In the hospital, Whiz was de-wormed with
Fenbendazole 1-time daily for 3 days. She was continued on the Ranitidine as she
had been since June 11, 2000, with the increase from 10 to 12 tablets, 3-times
per day. Whiz also continued her daily dosage of Strongid-C, as she had since
June 11, 2000.
On July 7, 2000, having been on GastroPlus for just one day, Whiz's swollen joints
and legs were down to almost completely normal. By July 8, 2000 her appetite had
increased from barely eating to finishing most of what she was offered. On July
9, 2000 she cleaned up all of her feed and the next day tried to escape from her
stall. She quickly changed from a sad, sick invalid, to a healthy, energetic
beautiful filly.
Her antibiotic therapy continued with Rifampin and Erythromycin until July 9,
2000 when her blood panel came back worse than ever, with her WBC count at
18,000 and her fibrinogens up as well. Her previous WBC counts had been 14,000
to 16,000. However, Whiz looked better than ever.
Whiz's antibiotics were changed to SMZs, 10 BID. A belly tap was recommended,
but because of her excellent attitude and appearance, the owners decided to hold
off on this procedure unless she took another turn for the worse. By July 20,
2000 she was turned out to play for the first time. On July 27, 2000 the blood
work came back with her WBC count down to 14,000.
Whiz's attitude and appetite were still excellent. She was very bright, active,
and eating "everything in sight". Her dry poor haircoat had changed to very soft
and had a brilliant glossy sheen to it. On August 4, 2000, her WBC count was
down to high normal of 12,000. Her SMZs and Ranitidine were discontinued. Her
owner felt the expense of the Ranitidine was not justified due to the fact that
Whiz had been on it since she had begun treatment on June 11, 2000, and had
still been diagnosed with hemorrhagic ulcers on July 5, 2000.
Whiz continued on the GastroPlus at 15cc of powder mixed with water and given
orally BID. The cost for Whiz's treatment with GastroPlus was approximately $2.35
per serving, $4.70 per day. This was calculated based on a container of
GastroPlus
retailing for $147.00 each. Whiz was administered 3cc of GastroPlus powder per 100
pounds of body weight.
On August 30, 2000, Dr. Lucy Edens performed a follow-up gastroscopy examination
of Whiz. Repeat gastroscopy revealed almost complete resolution of the gastric
lesions, with only a few small erosions remaining. Whiz had begun receiving
GastroPlus on July 6, 2000.
Dana Meier
San Diego Equine Therapy
Don't allow your horse to suffer needlessly. Click here to order GastroPlus.
Letter From Veterinarian:
Lucy M. Edens, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVM
Equine Internal Medicine
P.O. Box 232827
Encinitas, CA 92023
(760) 634-1646
Dear Mr. Fogli,
This letter is in reference to the horse Whiz. At the time of initial
examination on July 5, 2000 the foal was suffering from chronic respiratory
disease, immune-mediated polyarthritis, gastric ulceration and failure to thrive
which was presumed to be secondary to severe endoparasitism. Gastroscopy on July
5th revealed severe ulceration of the squamous mucosa along the margo plicatus
with significant hemorrhage occurring as a result of the ulcers. Treatment
encompassed lavacidal doses of fenbendazole, erythromycin and rifampin,
rantidine and GastroPlus. Revaluation on August 30, 2000 revealed considerable
improvement in Whiz’s condition. She had gained weight and shed out completely.
All clinical signs of respiratory disease and polyarthritis were resolved.
Repeat gastroscopy revealed almost complete resolution of the gastric lesions,
with only a few small erosions remaining. It was recommended to continue the
GastroPlus for an additional week to help ensure complete resolution of the
gastric erosions.
Thank you for your willingness to provide the GastroPlus and to pay for the
follow-up evaluation of Whiz. That was more than generous on your part. Because
of the many complex factors involved in this case it is difficult to know if any
one specific therapy resulted in her improvement. Most likely it was a
combination of all the treatments she received in addition to the wonderful care
that Linda and Dana Meier provided to her. Do not hesitate to contact me if I
can be of additional help.
Sincerely,
Lucy M. Edens, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVIM
Click here to see before and after photos of Whiz.
Click here to see Whiz's before and after endoscopy images.
GastroPLUS™
2 lb. Tub
(30 day supply) $169.90
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