Effects of intravenously administered esomeprazole sodium on gastric juice pH in adult female horses.

The research investigates the efficacy of esomeprazole sodium, administered intravenously, in altering the pH of gastric juice and treating gastric ulcers in horses. The results suggest that esomeprazole sodium is potentially effective as a treatment for gastric ulcers in horses when oral intake is not feasible.

Objective and Methodology of the Study

The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of esomeprazole sodium when injected intravenously on the pH of gastric juice and the severity of gastric ulcers in horses. In particular, it focused on horses which could not be administered oral medication due to dysphagia, gastric reflux, or other similar conditions.

• The study involved twelve adult female Quarter Horses and was conducted over a period of 13 days.
• The horses were divided into two groups – a treatment group that received esomeprazole sodium (8 horses) and a control group that received saline (4 horses).
• The esomeprazole sodium was administered once a day at a dosage of 0.5 mg/kg, while the control group received 5 mL of saline.
• The pH of the gastric juice and the score of gastric ulcers were recorded before and 1 hour after the administration of either esomeprazole sodium or saline on the first, fifth, and fourteenth days. On day 14, the measurements were taken 23 hours after the 13th dose was given.

Results of the Study

The main findings of the research can be summarized as follows:

• The pH of gastric juice was higher in horses treated with esomeprazole sodium after treatment compared to before treatment.
• The pH of gastric juice in horses treated with esomeprazole sodium was also higher when compared to the control group of horses that were treated with saline on the fifth and the fourteenth days.
• Gastric ulcers were observed in 43% of the horses in the study.

Conclusions

Based on these findings, the study concluded that esomeprazole sodium could potentially be a viable treatment for gastric ulcers in horses. The veterinary community could consider it, especially in cases where the oral administration of the typical FDA-approved omeprazole paste is either impractical or impossible. More thorough investigations and clinical trials may be needed to further establish the efficacy and safety of this treatment.