| 摘要 |
A composition comprising fat, fibre and, optionally, a stomach antacid is used in the treatment, prevention and/or amelioration of stereotypic behaviours such as crib-biting, stall walking, wind-sucking or wood chewing in animals such as the horse. The preferred sources of fat are highly polyunsaturated vegetable oils such as corn oil, soya oil or processed canola oil, or more saturated fats such as coconut oil, palm oil, or sunflower oil. The preferred source of fibre is any carbohydrate which is not digestible by mammalian enzymes, for example, alfalfa hay, which also contains a high protein content. At least some of the fibre should be in chopped form in the range 1-7 cm in length. Suitable stomach antacids include (a) alkaline salt compounds which can neutralise stomach acid such as aluminum phosphate and dihydro-aluminum sodium carbonate, (b) proton pump inhibitors such as the substituted benzimidazole compound, omeprazole, or (c) histamine type-2 antagonists such as ranitidine or cimetidine. Animal stereotypy may also be treated by controlling the pH of the animal's stomach using a proton pump inhibitor, such as, omeprazole, or a histamine type-2 antagonists. |
