Although I appreciate what you found online about ranitidine, I have to say that I have now used it about six times over a number of years, including for a full sized Paint mare, for whom an equine version was prescribed by my very experienced in-town equine vet, with obvious positive results. I will add that I have never paid to have a horse 'scoped', relying instead on the vet's, and my own, observation of clear symptoms consistent w/ ulcers-and the vet's agreement that scoping wasn't really a 'necessity'-at least in my horses as observed. In EVERY case, notable improvement was seen relatively, if not extremely, quickly upon instituting treatment w/ ranitidine. I actually don't recall whether I dosed the 'big' mare once or twice daily, but I do remember that he did have me keep her on it for three, possible four, weeks. The equine version were like 'footballs', and I *think* I gave 10 daily? I could go back in my records and check---that said, for adult minis of @ 250 lbs., I was instructed to give 9-12 tabs of 'human' formula ranitidine--75 mg. per pill; I once dosed a youngster THREE times daily w/ 7 pills/dose, but usually,I have dosed twice daily....my vets have ALWAYS instructed me to use that many pills/dose, BTW.( 75 mg/pill is the original OTC strength; now you can buy the human version in 150 mg. pills, but not sure if you can get that dosage in the generic version). I use a dose syringe, plug the tip w/ my finger, pour in a bit of warm H20(cool works, but takes longer to dissolve the pills), then a tiny drizzle (off the tip of a spoon) of molasses or pancake syrup(to mask the VERY BITTER taste!), carefully insert syringe plunger, let pressure off by SLOWLY removing finger, shake, let 'stand' a few minutes until pills are completely dissolved. Finger again over tip, shake well again, RIGHT before administering, squirt well back in mouth like dewormer, make sure horse swallows. I don't think my horses would eat that many tabs spread over their grain. Based on the vet advice I've received, I can't think that a pill or two or three(unless a tiny foal--who BTW, CAN develop ulcers, and if showing signs, should be seen by your vet, IMO) would be nearly enough of a dose. I have always also been assured by my vets that even in the unlikely event that the horse DIDN'T have ulcers, the ranitidine would not hurt them.
Just last month, I bought generic 75 mg. pills of ranitidine at Sam's Club; 240 pills for $ 5.87 or about that...I already had several days worth on hand, so only had to buy 3 of that size(though I might have had to get 4 if I hadn't already had some) for my most recent 'suspected' ulcer case(and seemingly, most severe, because it took him several days to get back to eating fairly well; I actually dosed him w/ 8-9 tabs/dose THREE times daily for several days, and took other measures, because for about a day and a half, he virtually QUIT eating....of course, I'd already taken him OFF concentrated feed, but I continued to offer some alfalfa, good grass hay, and soaked beet pulp....and sure enough, by the end of the day I tried all that, he 'turned a corner'....I continued to dose him for 4 full weeks; gradually began introducing U-Gard during the last week of the meds, so he'd be on a full 'dose' of that by the time he completed the ranitidine-he is now eating and doing every other thing, normally, and CLEARLY feels better. I extrapolated 'down' the U-Gard 'fullsized horse' dosage, using the provided measure-but I think I give each of the minis who take it(wt. of @ 230 and 250 lbs, + or -) about one T. or a bit more/dose.
In summary--I have had clear results w/ ranitidine, the way I administer it, and believe in it---that is my experience. To aid in daily preventive efforts, I am also satisfied w/ the U-Gard, and will continue to use it, too. Since the HORSE has no 'expectations' that the ranitidine will 'work', I don't think that what I've seen as clear benefits is just a 'placebo' effect! I do agree, though, that I would not 'substitute' straight kaolin for the formulation of the U-Gard just because kaolin is the primary ingredient of the U-Gard; it is NOT the 'same thing', IMO. It is ALWAYS a good idea to check w/ your own equine vet, of course!
Good luck with whatever you decide to do,
Margo
Just last month, I bought generic 75 mg. pills of ranitidine at Sam's Club; 240 pills for $ 5.87 or about that...I already had several days worth on hand, so only had to buy 3 of that size(though I might have had to get 4 if I hadn't already had some) for my most recent 'suspected' ulcer case(and seemingly, most severe, because it took him several days to get back to eating fairly well; I actually dosed him w/ 8-9 tabs/dose THREE times daily for several days, and took other measures, because for about a day and a half, he virtually QUIT eating....of course, I'd already taken him OFF concentrated feed, but I continued to offer some alfalfa, good grass hay, and soaked beet pulp....and sure enough, by the end of the day I tried all that, he 'turned a corner'....I continued to dose him for 4 full weeks; gradually began introducing U-Gard during the last week of the meds, so he'd be on a full 'dose' of that by the time he completed the ranitidine-he is now eating and doing every other thing, normally, and CLEARLY feels better. I extrapolated 'down' the U-Gard 'fullsized horse' dosage, using the provided measure-but I think I give each of the minis who take it(wt. of @ 230 and 250 lbs, + or -) about one T. or a bit more/dose.
In summary--I have had clear results w/ ranitidine, the way I administer it, and believe in it---that is my experience. To aid in daily preventive efforts, I am also satisfied w/ the U-Gard, and will continue to use it, too. Since the HORSE has no 'expectations' that the ranitidine will 'work', I don't think that what I've seen as clear benefits is just a 'placebo' effect! I do agree, though, that I would not 'substitute' straight kaolin for the formulation of the U-Gard just because kaolin is the primary ingredient of the U-Gard; it is NOT the 'same thing', IMO. It is ALWAYS a good idea to check w/ your own equine vet, of course!
Good luck with whatever you decide to do,
Margo
