Gastric Ulcers and Enteritis

Gastric ulcers are a common and difficult problem for horses. In the past five years, research has revealed several things about gastric ulcers. Feeding alfalfa hay every five to six hours is thought to provide a protective effect on the non-glandular squamous mucosa, the area of the equine intestinal lining where ulcers develop. Depriving feed for longer than 12 hours can contribute to the development of ulcers.⁸

ColiClenz™ Plus may have efficacy for the treatment of gastric ulcers and
toxic enteritis in horses. An experimental study indicates that psyllium husk
could protect the intestinal barrier function in rats.⁹ Another study shows
that the severity of diarrhea induced by infection with entertoxigenic E. coli
is significantly reduced with the administration of psyllium.¹⁰

Psyllium does not interfere with the absorption of nutrients from the
gastrointestinal tract.¹¹ A study, performed on humans, concludes that
consumption of psyllium does not adversely affect either mineral or vitamin A and E concentrations.¹² Hence, ColiClenz™ Plus can be administered without fear of compromising the nutritional status of the horse.

Studies indicate that the adverse gastrointestinal effects of drugs may be prevented with concomitant administration of psyllium.¹³ It is well known that phenylbutazone, a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and other NSAIDs used in the equine industry, can cause gastric ulcers and strictures in the equine colon.^14,15 Butazone, as it is commonly known, is used by horse owners for everything from colic to trauma and exercise-induced injuries. The medication produces a microvascular injury that is associated with the formation of pyloric erosions in the horse’s stomach. These gastric ulcers can occur within 24 hours of administration of the drugs, causing colic or debilitation. Psyllium husk has been successfully used as part of a regimen in the treatment of NSAID-induced gastric ulcers.¹⁶

ColiClenz™ Plus obviously has application in the treatment of gastric ulcers in horses,¹⁶ but it may also be effective in the deterrence of gastric
ulcers when used concomitantly with NSAID administration. Research
shows that psyllium husk, when given with medications, does not interfere
with the absorption of the medications.⁹

Laminitis

When a horse overfeeds or shows signs of laminitis, administration of
ColiClenz™ Plus may be an effective treatment or precaution of this malady that often necessitates euthanasia.^7,8 There are numerous known causes of laminitis, including feeding high grain or starch diets, large drinks of cold water, concussion from working on hard surfaces, retained placenta after foaling, overweight, and sudden access to lush grass. Laminitis can also occur as a complication after surgery.

The latest research indicates that the high amounts of fructan in lush grass may also be a cause of laminitis. As fructan enters the large intestine undigested, it causes the “good” bacteria to die, which causes the production of toxins that are absorbed into the bloodstream and causes inflammation of the laminae.⁶

There is indication that the administration of ColiClenz™ Plus can delay
the absorption of the high-starch content of grain and grasses and possibly avert laminitis.

SUMMARY

Research indicates that ColiClenz™ Plus is useful for the following:

• Assisting in the post treatment of horse colic or equine colic (sand, assisting endoparasitic, toxic, grass, and stress)
• Assisting in the treatment of gastric ulcers and laminitis
• Post-operatively to better manage the gut behavior and assist with
  colic management
• Avoiding problems with sand-induced diarrhea and other such
  diarrhea attacks
• Treating enterotoxigenic bacterial infections
• As a natural anti-inflammatory

Endnotes:

¹ Cebra ML, Garry FB, Cebra CK, et al. Treatment of neonatal calf diarrhea with an oral electrolyte supplemented with psyllium mucilloid. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 1998 Nov-Dec; 12(6): 449-55
² Bertone JJ, Traub-Dargatz JL, Wrigley RW, et al. Diarrhea associated with sand in the gastrointestinal tract of horses. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 1988 Dec 1; 193(11): 1409-12.
³ Morita T, Kasaoka S, Hase K, et al. Psyllium shifts the fermentation site of high-amylose cornstarch toward the distal colon and increases fecal butyrate concentration in rats. Journal of Nutrition. 1999 Nov; 129(11): 2081-7
⁴ Hammock PD, Freeman DE, Baker GJ. Failure of psyllium mucilloid to hasten evacuation of sand from the equine large intestine. Veterinary Surgery. 1988 Nov-Dec; 27(6): 547-54.
⁵ DeBowes RM. Standing rectal and tail surgery. Veterinary Clinics North American Equine Practice. 1991 Dec; 7(3): 649-67
⁶ Little D, Redding WR, Blikslager AT. Risk factors for reduced fecal output in horses: 37 cases (1997-1998). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2001 Feb 1; 218(3): 414-20.
⁷ Ramey DW, Reinertson EL, Sand induced diarrhea in a foal, J Am Vet Med Assoc 1984, Sep 1; 185(5): 537-8.
⁸ King M. The Horse; Ridding Sand from the Gut. February 2000.
⁹ Deng GY, Lui YW, He GZ, et al. Effect of dietary fiber on intestinal barrier function of 5-Fu stressed rats. Research in Experimental Medicine (Berl). 1999 Oct; 199(2): 111-9.
¹⁰ Hayden UL, McGuirk SM, West SE, et al. Psyllium improves fecal consistency and prevents enhanced secretory reponses in jejunal tissues of piglets infected with ETEC. Digestive Disease Science. 1988 Nov; 43(11): 2536-41.
¹¹ Chui AC, Sherman SI. Effects of pharmacological fiber supplements on levothyroxine absorption. Thyroid. 1998 Aug; 8(8): 667-71.
¹² Sierra M, Garcia JJ, Fernandez N, et al. Therapeutic effects of psyllium in type 2 diabetic patients.
¹³ Cavaliere H, Floriano I, Medeiros-Neto G. Gastrointestinal side-effects of oristat may be prevented by concomitant prescription of natural fibers (psyllium muciloid). International Journal of Obesity Related Metabolic Disorders. 2001 Jul; 25(7): 1095-9.
¹⁴ Hough ME, Steel CM, Bolton JR, et al. Ulceration and stricture of the right dorsal colon after phenylbutazone administration in four horses. Australian Veterinary Journal; 1999 Dec; 77(12): 785-8.
¹⁵ Meschter CL, Gilbert M, Krook L, et al; The effects of phenylbutazone on the morphology and prostaglandin concentrations of the pyloric mucosa of the equine stomach. Veterinary Pathology; 1990 Jul; 27(4): 244-53.
¹⁶ Evers S. AAEP 2002: Recent Developments in Equine Nutrition. The Horse. February 2003.

PATENT INFO

ColiClenz™ Plus and TracKlenz™ Plus are registered with the U.S. Patent
Office (Patent Pending 10/636,331) and the Australian Patent Office (Patent Pending 200320441). Psyllium Husk Performance Pellets, Inc., has worked diligently to protect the authenticity of the product, allowing the company to continue providing an ethical product and an assurance of efficacy to the horse owner.