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  Discussion on Gastroguard/Biosponge
Author Message
New Member:
jills

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 3, 2009 - 10:18 pm:

We are new to this site but it seems very informative so we will give it a shot.
We have a mature gelding that is prone to ulcers. We moved him recently and yes he started getting ulcers with the normal symptoms.
After starting gastroguard for about a week the vet suggested using Biosponge for about a week at the suggested dose. After the first day he started getting diarrhea and after 4 days he had the projectile diarrhea. So we stopped the biosponge at this point and he seems really sick.
Now we are giving him just the gastroguard on a daily basis. He is certainly improving but he is not eating much and of course is low on energy, etc.
I am asking if anyone knows of biosponge causing this reaction when a horse has ulcers?
Also what might has worked as far as getting him to eat.
thank you
Member:
mrose

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 3, 2009 - 10:58 pm:

Hi Jill, welcome. This is a great site and has been a "life saver" for many of us.

Did your horse's "usual symptoms" include diarrhea? I'm curious as I thought Biosponge was used for diarrhea and haven't heard of it being used for ulcers. Of course, there's a lot I don't know, so I'll be watching to see what Dr. O has to say.

Does he have any other symptoms other than lack of appetite and low energy? I'm wondering if he could have two things going on at the same time.
New Member:
jills

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 3, 2009 - 11:14 pm:

Hi Sara,
Yes our gelding has no apetite and no energy. It is very gradually impoving as he is nibbling on hay.
Yes he had loose stools but not many as he has not been eating.
He usually has high energy but we are working with the ulcers now and the energy is certainly not there.
Thanks
Member:
mrose

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 4, 2009 - 12:22 am:

How old is he? Poor guy; I hope he's feeling better soon. I had good luck with the gastroguard when I had a mare on antibiotics for a long time. Have you tried giving him something like EQ. Senior or beet pulp with rice bran mixed in? It would help stimulate his appetite I think and keep weight on him as well as give him some extra energy. Also, if his feed was changed quickly it might have affected him. We show and move from location to location quite often; as long as the feed and feed schedule stays the same we have no problems. Hope he's feeling like his "old self" soon.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 4, 2009 - 6:20 am:

Welcome Jill,
Biosponge is a clay product that is known as smectite. There have been several studies showing its usefulness as a therapy for infectious colitis. It has been used in infants, foals, as well as adult humans and horses and I have not heard of an adverse reaction and don't think the ulcers would the reason for it. In fact I would have to say the diarrhea is likely to have been coincidental with the beginning of the BioSponge or possibly it was contaminated with an enteric pathogen?

For on the diagnosis of other possible causes of the diarrhea and treatment see Diseases of Horses » Colic, Diarrhea, GI Tract » Diarrhea in Horses » Diarrhea an Overview. Identifying the cause and applying appropriate therapy would be the quickest way to get your horse eating.
DrO
New Member:
jills

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 4, 2009 - 8:25 am:

Thank you for the reply.
Once stopping the Biospong(smectite) the diarrhea stopped. Too big of a coincidental situation for me to blindly accept here.
Now we are on course to deal with the ulcers. He drinks water but is just nibbling around the hay and Equine Senior.
I realize it takes time before he wants to eat.
Any recomendations on where to obtain good quality alfalfa cubes?
Thanks for your interest and help.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 4, 2009 - 9:22 am:

I am afraid the world is full of such coincidences everyday but I cannot say it can't happen. Most good feed and livestock stores sell alfalfa cubes and all can order them.
DrO
New Member:
jills

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 4, 2009 - 8:50 pm:

DrO
I have to admit that your response leaves me feeling disappointed.
Doesn't seem like much thought went into saying it was a coincidence. The horse started diarrhea within 24 hours of starting Biosponge and then stopped diarrhea within 24 hours of stopping Biosponge. This being the only new drug/food,supplement introduced seems reasonable to assume it would be the culprit. From a medical standpoint maybe it is impossible to assume this would have an adverse effect.
If you have no experience with this type of reaction to Biosponge, then that response I can accept and deal with for your answer.

Having said all of the above, I would request that you keep our experience in your memory bank.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 4, 2009 - 9:22 pm:

Jill, prior to responding above I reviewed all the literature on the world's largest medical, veterinary and scientific database concering smectite. As far as I can tell no one has reported such a reaction with the use of this product. But as I state above that is not the same as saying it cannot happen.
DrO
Member:
3chip

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 4, 2009 - 11:13 pm:

Jill, I agree with DrO on his assessment of Biosponge and its relationship to the diarrhea episode you horse has gone through. It could be remotely possible for Biosponge to trigger some episode of diarrhea but all of the data I have been able to find related to Biosponge is contrary to causing diarrhea. The data does not support such an interaction. Possible, yes. Probable, nope! But you can research the internet about this product..........take a look at the Method of Action for it.

Phil in Montana
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