Kauffman’s Animal Health, a leader in the animal health industry for over 30 years, has formulated FORTITUDETM DHF ‘Digestive Health Formula’, a premium blend of carefully selected forage and yeast products, direct-fed microbials, fish oil, amino acids and fenugreek designed to support health of the entire digestive tract of equine athletes prone to Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS). Characterized by a variety of ulcerative conditions of the digestive system of horses at all stages of life, EGUS is caused by anatomy of the equine stomach, restricted and/or infrequent feed intake, diet, exercise and environmental stress. The incidence of EGUS appears to be widespread across a variety of ages, breeds and disciplines of equines, with the highest incidence among performance horses.

Effective treatment strategies for EGUS focus on increasing gastric pH by buffering or inhibiting gastric acid secretion, as well as long term environmental and dietary management. The long term goals of EGUS therapy should be to 1) relieve pain, 2) eliminate clinical signs, 3) promote healing, 4) prevent complications and 5) prevent recurrence. The specific combination of carefully selected ingredients in FORTITUDETM DHF has been shown to have beneficial effects on all five of the aforementioned long-term goals for EGUS therapy.

The proprietary blend of ingredients found in FORTITUDETM DHF includes:

– Flaxseed and fish oil which are significant sources of fat (soothing, satiety effect) and conditionally essential Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA). Omega-3 fatty acids are necessary for proper maintenance of healthy plasma membranes and they have been shown to modulate inflammatory reactions in a variety of equine tissues. Most horses consuming typical high grain diets receive an overabundance of Omega-6 versus Omega-3 fatty acids. FORTITUDETM DHF helps to counteract this imbalance.

– Fermented soy powder has been used successfully in human and equine medicine in Europe to ease the discomfort associated with gastric ulcers. Furthermore, fermented soy powder has a strong buffering effect on stomach pH; therefore easing gastric pain, helping to reduce further gastric ulcer development, and minimizing the related problems of nervousness, loss of appetite and weight loss.

– Fenugreek seed is a rich source of galactomannan and mucilage, both of which aid digestion by providing protection to cells lining the digestive tract. Fenugreek is also the most highly preferred flavor by horses, thus encouraging appetite.

– Active dry cell yeast and yeast culture have been shown scientifically to support enhanced digestion and digestive efficiency, particularly the digestibility of important macro- and micro-minerals (Ca, P, Cu, Zn and Mg).

– Magnesium deficiency in horses may lead to nervousness; therefore, nervous, irritable horses may be more susceptible to EGUS likely exacerbating both conditions.

– L-Threonine (essential polar amino acid) and L-Glutamine (non-essential amino acid) have been linked to maintenance of gut barrier function and intestinal cell proliferation; therefore, contributing to overall gut health and immune function.

– Mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) positively impact gut microflora; thereby aiding in digestive efficiency and helping to maintain a proper balance of beneficial bacteria.

– Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) serve as substrates for microflora in the large intestine and enhance calcium absorption.

– The beneficial bacteria (probiotic) component may competitively exclude Helicobacter, E. coli and Streptococcus sp., which have been implicated in equine gastric ulcer occurrence and healing.

FORTITUDETM DHF currently is available as a very palatable top-dress granule, and will be available in a positive-dose paste in early 2010.

FORTITUDETM DHF and all FORTITUDETM products are manufactured in Kauffman’s Animal Health, Inc. facility certified in the American Feed Industry Association’s Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification Program; for details go to: www.safefeedsafefood.org.

In addition to FORTITUDETM DHF, Kauffman’s Animal Health also offers a complete line of equine and canine supplements. For more information on FORTITUDETM DHF or any of our other products, please visit our website at www.KA-HI.com or call 1 800-332-5244.

About us:

Founded in 1978 by Leon J. Kauffman, Kauffman’s Animal Health, Inc. is a family-owned and operated business that manufactures, packages, and markets a complete line of nutritional supplements, feed premixes, and specialty nutrition products for the equine, canine, poultry, and livestock (beef cattle, sheep, swine, goat, deer, etc.) industries. Initially focused on protein, vitamin, and mineral supplements for horses, our business has expanded to include electrolyte, hoof, joint, and digestion supplements for horses; a variety of direct-fed microbials (DFM or probiotics) for livestock; and nutritional supplements for dogs. To learn more about Kauffman’s products, log on to: www.ka-hi.com  or call 1-800-332-5244.