Exploring the Causes of Diarrhea in Horses
Diarrhea in horses is typically a sign of some other underlying problem. In addition, diarrhea can cause additional problems for your horse, such as dehydration. Therefore, in order to ensure the proper treatment is put in place, it is important to recognize even mild forms of diarrhea as well as what may be causing it in your horses.
Symptoms of Diarrhea
Mild cases of diarrhea may go unnoticed when looking at your horse’s stool. Other than loose stool, signs of acute diarrhea in your horse may include the following:
- Dehydration
- Edema
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Loud Gut Sounds
- Signs of Colic
- Weakness
Chronic diarrhea can also lead to weight loss, lethargy, dull eyes and a rough coat.
Causes of Diarrhea
Diarrhea in horses can be caused by a number of different factors. Some of these include:
- Antibiotics
- Arsenic
- Cantharidin
- Clostridial infection
- Excessive ingestion of sand
- Inflammatory or infiltrative bowel disease
- Neoplasia
- NSAID (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) toxicity
- Parasites
- Plant toxcity
- Potomac Horse Fever
- Salmonella infection
Identifying the cause will assist with determining the proper form of treatment for the diarrhea. In some cases, an intestinal biopsy is necessary for a proper diagnosis. Treatment options may include electrolyte therapy, de-worming or use of antibiotics and other medications.
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