Aloe Vera for ulcers

[Kyzteke]

I've heard for awhile that aloe vera juice helps with ulcers (per the vet 2 oz a day), but a friend of mine says HER vet cites a recent study that showed aloe vera was just as successful in CURING ulcers as Gastroguard.

Obviously much cheaper, but I can't find the study (not all "studies" are created equal).

Anybody else heard of this?

Also, in my searching I *did* find the study that shown 5lbs of alfalfa hay given AFTER a grain meal drastically reduces the chance of ulcers. Can't remember why...

[marley]

My vet reccommended I try aloe juice, too. Same dosage, 2 ounces. I've had three horses on it for about a month now. Two of them have shown a marked change in overall attitude---for the better. The third one, previously on daily ranitidine, is actually a little happier than before.

I hope it's the real deal, because it sure is cheaper.

FYI, be sure and buy the aloe juice that doesn't have preservatives or other additives in it.

[Pitty Pat]

I have an ulcer and it is the only thing that helps. I drink six oz in the morning and evening. It has help so much. I don't take tums anymore and I have stopped taking the nexium. I buy fresh pressed from a local guru, but I have seen it at Trader Joes and Whole Foods. I highly recommend trying this.

[AilleXWest]

I have used it and it did help. But I used 1 cup 2X a day. That was what I read and was told. It would be great to know that I was feeding too much and could use less. I had a hard time getting that horse to eat with that much aloe in it.

[sweetpea]

Plus they love the papaya puree.
Google Papaya Puree for ulcers in horses -- I mix the two!!

[TheOrangeOne]

I use tum-ease from www.theracelleq.com (http://www.theracelleq.com) which has the equivalent of however much aloe you need but without the refrigeration and measuring.

[tikidoc]

I am feeding a cup a day to the OTTB rescue I got about a month ago, at the suggestion of a trainer with lots of experience with rescues and OTTBs. The horse had been in a foster home for a month after his rescue from the slaughter truck. He ate extremely slowly when he first arrived. Would finish his meals but it took forever and he didn't show much enthusiasm for eating. I have no doubt that he came to us with ulcers.

He is now eating quite enthusiastically and eats quite a bit faster (although still slower than my others). His personality has changed drastically over the last few weeks, less depressed, more outgoing, more energy. His weight gain seems to be faster than when he first arrived.

It's hard to know what to attribute the changes to, and it is most likely a combination of many changes in his feed and environment. His whole world has changed (several times), and we are trying to make it as low-stress as possible. Probably the first low stress environment he has been in since he was sold as a yearling.

But aloe is cheap (about $6/gallon at Sams) and he seems to really like it. So I will likely keep him on it at least until he is back to a healthy weight, then see if weaning it makes a difference.

[nuts4cowboybutts]

In people, the bacteria H. pylori is the cause for most ulcers and until that issue is settle, the ulcers can reoccur.

Is that the same for horses or not? Is there some bacteria involved with horses developing ulcers as well as stress?

[Auventera Two]

In people, the bacteria H. pylori is the cause for most ulcers and until that issue is settle, the ulcers can reoccur.

Is that the same for horses or not? Is there some bacteria involved with horses developing ulcers as well as stress?

No, this bacteria has not been found to cause ulcers in horses.

I use Pro-CMC has a daily prevention, plus increased alfalfa hay, and Ulcergard anytime something stressful is going on. I've heard about the aloe/papya thing but I'm not real big on "natural" stuff because there is no science behind it. So far she's been doing great with this regime.

I have an ulcer myself that causes me severe pain at times, and nothing "natural" ever helped, including the aloe and papya. Only Nexium gives adequate and lasting relief. I've even been in the emergency room thinking I was having a heart attack before the ulcer was diagnosed. The pain was so severe, and crushing. It was in my back and arms also.

I think the natural stuff falls under "placebo effect." You want it to work, you think it can work, so your mind tricks you into thinking it DID work. Since I put very little faith in "natural treatments" none of them have ever worked when I've tried them. ;) I just listened to a radio show on this the other day. A doctor was telling how powerful the placebo effect can be. People with long-term chronic pain or suffering are often given a "new and revolutionary" drug as a last resort, and wouldn't you know - it works! And the drug has no active ingredients, or the active ingredients it does have are minimal, but the patient really believes that "this is it." There are no more treatments and if this doesn't work, I'm screwed. So it miraculously "does" work. Same way people get miraculously "healed" by jesus. Your mind is POWERFUL. But I won't go there. ;)

Knowing that animals don't have the cognitive processes that humans have, I wouldn't use anything on my horse that didn't have science to back it up.

[BornToRide]

No, this bacteria has not been found to cause ulcers in horses.Perhaps not "yet" . Similar related bacteria has been isolated already though!

[mypaintwattie]

I give my ulcer horse a cup a day, seems to help her. Her symptoms have decreased and she has gained weight.

[murphyluv]

Well, horses have no idea what "placebo" means, and the stuff obviously works- I've seen a horse scoped before and after a "natural" ulcer med. THe ulcers were gone.


No, this bacteria has not been found to cause ulcers in horses.

I use Pro-CMC has a daily prevention, plus increased alfalfa hay, and Ulcergard anytime something stressful is going on. I've heard about the aloe/papya thing but I'm not real big on "natural" stuff because there is no science behind it. So far she's been doing great with this regime.

I have an ulcer myself that causes me severe pain at times, and nothing "natural" ever helped, including the aloe and papya. Only Nexium gives adequate and lasting relief. I've even been in the emergency room thinking I was having a heart attack before the ulcer was diagnosed. The pain was so severe, and crushing. It was in my back and arms also.

I think the natural stuff falls under "placebo effect." You want it to work, you think it can work, so your mind tricks you into thinking it DID work. Since I put very little faith in "natural treatments" none of them have ever worked when I've tried them. ;) I just listened to a radio show on this the other day. A doctor was telling how powerful the placebo effect can be. People with long-term chronic pain or suffering are often given a "new and revolutionary" drug as a last resort, and wouldn't you know - it works! And the drug has no active ingredients, or the active ingredients it does have are minimal, but the patient really believes that "this is it." There are no more treatments and if this doesn't work, I'm screwed. So it miraculously "does" work. Same way people get miraculously "healed" by jesus. Your mind is POWERFUL. But I won't go there. ;)

Knowing that animals don't have the cognitive processes that humans have, I wouldn't use anything on my horse that didn't have science to back it up.

[Auventera Two]

Well, horses have no idea what "placebo" means, and the stuff obviously works- I've seen a horse scoped before and after a "natural" ulcer med. THe ulcers were gone.

So have I, and the ulcer was still there - and worse! :eek: The horse was scoped on the same day that my horse was. Then the panel of vets doing the scoping said - this is why we do not advocate natural remedies. We see it over and over again with these scopes - it almost never works.

So I won't try to discredit somebody's success story, but all I'm saying is that it's just too risky for me. :( I am 110% all about science.

[tikidoc]

Yea, I'm all about science too. BUT, in my case, with a TB just off the track/slaughter truck, I want to give some time to see if the new environment will get rid of the ulcers that I assume he has. I hesitate to go directly to a very expensive medication when some time may be all he needs. Aloe juice is benign stuff, and cheap. And he seems to like it, so it may give the added benefit of getting him to eat all his food. And if it helps his tummy in the process too, great. I'd like to see the study that the OP referenced. While many "natural" remedies may be junk, some may be helpful. It's a matter of sorting it out. And while it might be difficult to know what is really in so-called nutracuticals, aloe juice is sold in bottles for human consumption, and the only ingredient is aloe juice. So I know that's what is in it.

[sweetpea]

So have I, and the ulcer was still there - and worse! :eek: The horse was scoped on the same day that my horse was. Then the panel of vets doing the scoping said - this is why we do not advocate natural remedies. We see it over and over again with these scopes - it almost never works.

So I won't try to discredit somebody's success story, but all I'm saying is that it's just too risky for me. :( I am 110% all about science.

Balance is always needed in the approach of Non traditional & Traditional medicine---

I personally had to learn the balance through a doctors screw up on ulcers.
Turns out I was treated for an Ulcer for year to still have horrible digestive problems and in the emergency room several times--- Short Story--- My whole problem was after a bad car wreck the lower half of my back was goofed which effects the gastro areas of your body.
I actually was depleted of the enzymes and acids I needed to digest properly.

The year of treatment had such a horrible effect because of the treatment for ulcers -- the medicine removed any of the acid or enzymes I possibly had left. Oh I must add for the next three years I now had a diet of 2 meals liquids and 1 mild solids like oatmeal and bananas
Whoooo Hoooo it was such a blast. It took natural foods and herbal products to slowly rebuild my stomach and digestive system.

Now aside from me -- I had an excellent conversation with a Vet from the Univ of FL and as they were doing chiro on my horse -- they asked " WHat kind of Ulcer support do you use?"
I was down showing on the winter Circuit-- I was hesitant because some are closed minded about the effects of naturals formulas.

But as we established respect for each other ---I told them the formula---
THey looked at me and said " Good for You""
THen They Said
SO MANY PEOPLE think " It is the acid that is the problem"

PROTECT the mucosa lining and the acid will have it's balance"Not all acid is bad it is there for a reason.
NOW they also said that there is cases where the horse is soooooo bad that you have to go beyond the protection of the mucosa lining.


What makes a person go to the Natural Methods???
I wonder this --- DO individuals who do the natural approach do they have more control of their horse's care --- meaning they are at home or they fully take care of them.Is this why for some it works because you can track the effect closer ???? Not saying this is true .
But I know taking care of him personally and dictating everything helps sum up if it works or not. Or have they turned natural because SCIENCE is sometimes to blame???
LOOK at some of these scientific equine feed diets----- HMMMM Lots of threads on feed issues--

Now back to the ALoe or Papaya Puree --- DO the research on their properties.
I have done this --but yeah my best advocate is the horse's that might be stressed cause a at a show or a switched barns and I give them the mixture -- ANd they're whole demeanor is at ease or comfortable.

Granted giving anything for ulcers will be worthless if other areas of care are not considered.
AND more than anything you have to strike a balance of the approach---- for the horses sake!!

[stuge]

Sorry if this has been said before but haven't they done several studies on alternative ulcer methods? It is my understanding that they can be great for preventing ulcers or for maintenance after a medical treatment of ulcers but they do little to nothing to actually heal ulcers.

I am sure that there have been some cases where ulcers are there but then are gone after alternative treatments. My questions would be 1. Do ulcers ever heal on their own in horses and 2. if so, is there not a huge possibility that the ulcers would have gone away on their own with or without the aloe vera juice? A couple of cases do not convince me.

you cannot compare what works on a human to what works on a horse, our stomachs are very different.

[PinkPonies]

Sorry if this has been said before but haven't they done several studies on alternative ulcer methods? It is my understanding that they can be great for preventing ulcers or for maintenance after a medical treatment of ulcers but they do little to nothing to actually heal ulcers.

I am sure that there have been some cases where ulcers are there but then are gone after alternative treatments. My questions would be 1. Do ulcers ever heal on their own in horses and 2. if so, is there not a huge possibility that the ulcers would have gone away on their own with or without the aloe vera juice? A couple of cases do not convince me.

you cannot compare what works on a human to what works on a horse, our stomachs are very different.

My favorite "alternative treatment" for ulcer is 24/7 turnout and 24/7 access to hay. It cured my TB after battling ulcers his entire life. I even came on COTH and asked if they could heal on their own from 24/7 turnout and hay and the answer was an overwhelming "YES"!

[woops]

My favorite "alternative treatment" for ulcer is 24/7 turnout and 24/7 access to hay. It cured my TB after battling ulcers his entire life. I even came on COTH and asked if they could heal on their own from 24/7 turnout and hay and the answer was an overwhelming "YES"!

That is the best way to care for horse but horses relocate, show and train.
So what then --- Research and results are two different things---
On this aloe & papaya thing well frankly I have great results!!

[Kyzteke]

My favorite "alternative treatment" for ulcer is 24/7 turnout and 24/7 access to hay. It cured my TB after battling ulcers his entire life. I even came on COTH and asked if they could heal on their own from 24/7 turnout and hay and the answer was an overwhelming "YES"!

I've known horses on 24/7 turn-out that still had ulcers.

As for the aloe vera, that is EXACTLY the question I'm asking -- according to my friend's vet, there WAS a scientific study done that showed it to be effective. But I have yet to find the study, even though I've GOOGLED. I guess I will just call the vet. Once I find out, I will post the results here.

The subject was brought up because I have long thought my friend's horse had ulcers, but she doesn't have the wherewithal to do the scoping -- and even if she did she DEFINITELY doesn't have the $$ for 1-2 months of Gastroguard. So it was her vet who said, "give the 2 ozs per day of aloe -- it has been PROVEN just as effective as Gastroguard."

But I want to look at the study myself and see how many horses, etc. All studies are not created equal....

[Kyzteke]

So have I, and the ulcer was still there - and worse! :eek: The horse was scoped on the same day that my horse was. Then the panel of vets doing the scoping said - this is why we do not advocate natural remedies. We see it over and over again with these scopes - it almost never works.

So I won't try to discredit somebody's success story, but all I'm saying is that it's just too risky for me. :( I am 110% all about science.

There are alot of "natural" remedies that work -- please remember that most of the meds we have today are imitations of natural substances -- like aspirin for willow bark as an example.

Just as "natural" is not always a failure, "manufactured" is not always a success. As an RN, I know plenty of meds that don't work either. That's why it is nice to see studies performed on things to see if it's hype or not.

As I mentioned before, one recent study did show that alfalfa hay given AFTER a grain/concentrate meal was shown to dramatically reduce ulcers. It was a pretty big study too. They recommended 5 lbs. They are not sure why it works...but then, they are not SURE why many drugs work. Read the literature on ANY antidepressant: "it is THOUGHT to work by..." (emphasis mine).

[Loves to ride]

Does anyone have any comparison of aloe vera juice vs. aloe vera pellets?
Anecdotal results of course.. :D

[TheOrangeOne]

Old study in people, good results: http://www.desertharvest.com/physicians/documents/DH128.pdf
Newer study, no results:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/112394622/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
Not sure what they got at:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/76500534/abstract
Thought the aloe was good:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T8D-4CF5GPV-2&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=0c319328fe8468231ab2c4a9d9c4794a

Google Scholar will bring up a lot more articles if you keep searching.

[Kyzteke]

Old study in people, good results: http://www.desertharvest.com/physicians/documents/DH128.pdf
Newer study, no results:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/112394622/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
Not sure what they got at:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/76500534/abstract
Thought the aloe was good:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T8D-4CF5GPV-2&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=0c319328fe8468231ab2c4a9d9c4794a

Google Scholar will bring up a lot more articles if you keep searching.

Thanks -- but these studies were done on people & rats, not horses.

This was a study done on horses....

I'll keep looking.

[EquineLVR]

I am reviving this thread as I am bringing home two OTTB's that I am considering just putting them on the AV pellets as preventive and healing measures - I am not going to have them scoped I am just assuming they have them..

Any one else using AV?

[ThoroughbredFancy]

I just started my TB on the juice. Where does one go about getting it in pellet form?

[tikidoc]

I have found the juice for under $2/gallon, so I would expect feeding the pellets would cost much more. My picky OTTB also seems to like it.

I can't say how much of my guy's resolution of symptoms had to do with the aloe and how much is just getting him into a low stress environment. He went from track to slaughter pen to rescue to us over the span of under 3 months, and was maybe a 2-2.5 on the condition scale when I got him, so there was lots of stress in his past. He took forever to eat, kicked at his belly when touched, and seemed almost desperate to crib all the time. He was a very cranky boy.

He has been getting a cup of aloe juice since we got him, and his ulcer symptoms have resolved. He has not been scoped but he eats well and is no longer touchy about his abdomen. His is much less cranky than he used to be. He still cribs but not much. He is now out 24/7, and I suspect when it is hot enough that he will spend more time in the run-in shed, I will likely have to put the cribbing strap on again but he doesn't go out of his way to go to the run-in to crib (the only place he has access to that he could grab onto).

I certainly may be that the aloe had absolutely nothing to do with his recovery, but it is harmless, palatable, and very cheap (about $0.12/day). So I will probably keep him on it long term.

[Foxtrot's]

This is what I found (unscientific, anecdotal, etc.) My foal got ulcers at weaning. His grain was cut out and he was on grass and hay only. After a course of GG, he went onto the compounded version which had Aloe as its base. Then after that we put him on eight days of a pro-biotic from the vet, then Aloe am and pm on his feed from Wal-Mart ($17.00 a jug, Canadian!) which he is still on. Any or all of them may have helped him, but today he has put on weight, seems hungrier, his awful coat is falling out, and he is cantering and following his little girlfriend in a normal, relaxed happy manner. He was such a sorry sight when he was sick, he is just so much better. He is back on yearling extruded pellets.

[ThoroughbredFancy]

I found some Aloe juice from Whole Foods for $2.00/16 oz.

Where do the rest of you find your Aloe Juice and for what price/quantity.

I tried the stuff, I found it to be a bit sweet. Probably why my guy likes it.

[rcloisonne]

As I mentioned before, one recent study did show that alfalfa hay given AFTER a grain/concentrate meal was shown to dramatically reduce ulcers. It was a pretty big study too. They recommended 5 lbs. They are not sure why it works...
Actually, they do know why it "works". Alfalfa is very high in calcium. Calcium is the prime ingredient in many OTC antacids. No big mystery there. Whether it cures anything is open to debate. Where's the actual study?

[blue&blond]

This is interesting. I've read quite a bit and want to give it a try.

How much aloe vera juice per day is recommended?

Where are you guys getting it so inexpensive? I've only checked one store and it was almost $8.00 a gallon.

[matryoshka]

The osteopath who works on my horses suggests 1 cup twice a day for two weeks to treat suspected ulcers. I'm guessing that if you just want to maintain a happy stomach, you could use less.

Since I haven't had them scoped, I can't say whether or not it truly works as a "cure" for something I have no proof they suffered from. I can say that their attitudes improved over the course of the treatment.

I buy it by the gallon at Wal Mart for about $8. You find it with Citrucel and other similar products, not near antacids.

[Soldier06]

I think I'm going to try this for the hunter. Never treated for ulcers, never suspected, but whenever he has a TB moment I always get that nagging curiosity.

Quick questions:
Will it drug test under USEF? I assume not, but do any of you show on it?
Do you build up the dosage and then taper it down? (ie should I start with a half cup/day over 2 meals, 2 oz/meal and then go up to 1 cup per day and eventually back down to 1/2 cup or 2 oz/day?) If so how long should I do each dose for? 2oz 2 days, 4 oz for 2 days, then the full 8 oz for a week or two?

[matryoshka]

Those are all good questions. I have no idea whether it would show up on a blood test, but I have the same concerns, since most meds are not allowed for CTR or endurance.

However, I can say that there was no tapering on or off when I used it, and no ill effects from abruptly putting them on. I did taper off, but that was an ad lib on my part.

[mypaintwattie]

I think I'm going to try this for the hunter. Never treated for ulcers, never suspected, but whenever he has a TB moment I always get that nagging curiosity.

Quick questions:
Will it drug test under USEF? I assume not, but do any of you show on it?
Do you build up the dosage and then taper it down? (ie should I start with a half cup/day over 2 meals, 2 oz/meal and then go up to 1 cup per day and eventually back down to 1/2 cup or 2 oz/day?) If so how long should I do each dose for? 2oz 2 days, 4 oz for 2 days, then the full 8 oz for a week or two?

No, It is fine under USEF rules- I contacted them directly awhile back when I put my horse on it. As far as the dosage, I built it up over a few days and have kept it constant, and it seems to be working.