Ovvet: Gastric Control Gold

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Gastric ulceration is a serious yet common condition that can affect any horse, at any age. The racehorse in training is particularly susceptible; studies show that 93% of this group suffer from stomach ulcers, yet the symptoms can be unspecific often with the horse showing no outward clinical signs. As a result they are frequently not recognised, therefore remain untreated. These symptoms are very similar to colic which remains the single largest cause of death in the equine industry. However, research shows that every horse, not just racehorses, will suffer with varying degrees of ulcers at most times of its life.

The treatment of this multi-faceted disease is fast emerging as one of the greatest challenges in contemporary equine medicine. Ovvet’s aim is to educate and inspire the equine industry to use a range of functional superfood products, which have been developed to help in achieving optimal intestinal activity and overall equine health.

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is erosion of the stomach lining, caused by constant exposure to gastric acid and spans a wide spectrum of severity, from inflammation of the epithelium (stomach lining) to perforation and bleeding. Diagnostic classification includes a point scoring system from 0 to 4, with 2 and above considered clinically significant.

A healthy gastro intestinal tract will positively affect a variety of functions in the horse and is key to its performance and wellbeing. Ovvet’s Gastric Control Gold is a clinically tested unique formula specifically designed for horses susceptible to colic or suffering from EGUS. 

Highly developed natural ingredients, including Fermaid®Ease 187 (strain 1077), organic mushroom compound, Levucell SC (a natural live yeast to assist digestion) and omega 3 provide anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving treatment, stabalising the pH value of the colon and giving genuine assistance in repairing the ulcerated tissue. Gastric Control Gold is rich in vitamin D, antioxidant and boosts the immune system.

Fermaid®Ease 187 (strain 1077) is the end product from the fermentation of high-quality soya flour with a certain lactic acid bacterium, L. delbrueckii, which stimulates macrophage and lymphocyte activity. In clinical trials at Newmarket, horses treated with Fermaid®Ease 187 (strain 1077) were found to have significant improvements in their clinical symptoms, with pain considerably reduced and in most cases, the absence of colic. Following pre-treatment with Omeprozal (for grades 3 and 4), there were considerably fewer recurring ulcers.

For more information on Gastric Control Gold and other products from Ovvet contact tel: 01604 874693 email: colin@ovvet.eu or visit www.ovvet.eu

In the genes - is racing success inherited?

European Version published in issue 48 - January '15 to March '15

North American Version published in issue 35 - February '15-April '15

Trickle feeding - more in tune with nature

Links to read: 

North American version: issue 35 February- April 2015

European version: issue 48 January- March 2015

Support performance from within with Vetrogard

The management of a racehorse in training often means long periods in the stable and little time in the field grazing. Combined with high levels of concentrate feed, this routine can result in periods without forage, for instance if the horse finishes his or her hay or haylage well before next feeding time. In addition, intense training regimes and regular travel can lead to high stress levels. All these changes can challenge the racehorse’s digestive system. 

The imbalance of a stomach expecting a supply of food 24/7, but in reality receiving discrete meals throughout the day, leads to an excess of gastric acid which can cause discomfort.  This in turn can negatively affect appetite, condition, droppings and behaviour – all of which can prevent your horse from performing to their optimum.

Animalife, the creators of Vetrofen and Vetroflex, have introduced Vetrogard Intense to their range of high performance supplements. The dual action, nutritional formulation has been designed to support gastric health and comfort.  Studies have shown that horses fed Vetrogard have improved appetite, condition and faecal quality scores.

Vetrogard Intense helps support the gastric epithelium and acts to assist the body’s natural defences to any gastric acid splash in stabled, exercising horses. 

Vetrogard Intense is free from banned substances and 100% natural. Vetrogard Intense is available in a 525g tub, priced at £99.99. 

Call +44 (0)1564 794 586 to find your local Animalife Accredited Retailer or order online at www.animalife.co.uk (subject to delivery charges).

OMBISTEM-Vet stem cell treatment from Vetbiobank

Whether it be an Olympic track gold medallist or a Derby winner, all athletes, will inevitably suffer injuries to ligaments, joints and tendons. This goes with the territory. Every trainer, be it human or equine, hopes to restore his charge quickly to full competitive glory both legally and economically.

Regenerative medicine has been in force in human clinics and the vet’s practice for over a decade using products such as platelet rich plasma (PRP) or stem cells. However, over the last few years the use and type of stem cells has changed dramatically.

Historically, stem cells were obtained from the fat or bone marrow of the horse to be treated and then injected as a crude product into the injured site immediately or after a 2-3 week delay needed to produce sufficient cells. Detrimentally, cell potential decreased with the time lag during production and treatment was done usually when fibrosis was already manifest.

Vetbiobank’s treatment options are based on having a bank of ready-to-use neonatal stem cells obtained from the umbilical cord that can be administered well before fibrotic onset.

Vetbiobank’s, OMBISTEM-Vet system offers advantages over traditional stem cells products. The cells are fitter and more standardised and less subject to the vagaries of adult cells whose therapeutic potential decreases with age. Their gestational origin means those cells are less immunogenic, thus allowing treatment of both related and unrelated horses. 

Stem cells implanted in a clinically manifest lesion will also migrate to other injured sites which means they preserve health by repairing other undetected lesions. (European trainer magazine June 2014).

This development has attracted widespread interest within the racing community. Furthermore, cord collection can be performed easily in any hygienic stable. Therefore, a stud farm can build with Vetbiobank, a cell bank to treat a lifetime of common horse injuries. 

For a racing stable, without its own bank, it is still possible to access cord stem cells from Vetbiobank’s OMBISTEM-Vet product to treat injuries.

Vetbiobank’s expertise in neonatal stem cell banking and research enables them to offer a BESPOKE pan European cell therapy service to vets, trainers, breeders and horse owners.

Visit www.vetbiobank.com for more information.

Hay Bar

Planning and building a new yard can be quite an undertaking.  The horses welfare is paramount yet the design and construction must be efficient and cost effective. Running costs for any yard can become a serious financial liability and, with  forage prices set to rise, it is essential that we try to find ways of becoming more economical and less wasteful.  

Hay Bar is a proven sound investment in many ways.  Stabled horses benefit from feeding from the floor, as it helps to maintain their natural way of foraging. This, in turn, helps to ensure that mentally they are more relaxed and that there are less respiratory, dental and physio problems, all of which can prove to be costly and, to say the least, inconvenient. 

Other unnecessary and unwanted expenses are waste forage and bedding: Hay Bar helps to ensure that forage does not become contaminated and ensures the horse gets the full benefit of what he is being fed.

Labour costs are rising all the time, so it is important that time is well spent.  Filling hay nets is time consuming.  The Hay Bar system is labour saving, safer, more hygienic, better for our horses and the solution to numerous problems.

 Tel: + 44 (0)1723 882434 for more information or visit www.haybar.co.uk

Prohibited natural substances - The risks and responsibilities

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