Vet Study #7
Horse's name: Whiz
American Quarter Horse filly
Foaled: February 4, 2000

GastroPLUS

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 HelenWoodwardAnimalCenter 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. GastroPLUS was recommended. The owner wanted to try a new 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.