Gastroprotectant Therapy in Ruminants

Treatment and prevention of abomasal ulceration in hospitalized ruminants is challenging as there is a paucity of both diagnostic techniques as well as efficacious therapies for this purpose. Recent research into gastroprotectants for ruminant livestock has added multiple therapies for the care of the abomasal ulceration in these species. This presentation will focus on the pathophysiology of gastric ulceration, as well as the therapeutic strategies for managing abomasal ulceration. Multiple classes of drugs and gastroprotectant therapies including proton pump inhibitors, H2-receptor antagonists, buffering compounds and coating agents will be discussed with an emphasis on recent literature for mechanism of action, clinical application, and prudent drug use strategies. Comparative discussion from the human literature will focus on adverse effects associated with this class of drugs. Recent research regarding the clinical usage and safety of proton pump inhibitors and H2-receptor antagonists in cattle, sheep, and goats will be presented. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies for ruminants will be explored and compared to the comparative literature. At the conclusion of this presentation the audience will have strategies for the use of gastroprotectants in multiple species of ruminant livestock.