E155
 Diarrhea in Mature Animals

Causative Agents: These are just a few of the possibilities.

  1. Salmonella
  1. This is the most common type of infectious diarrhea in the adult horse.
  2. See page E752 for more details.
  1. Potomac Horse Fever
  1. See page E640 for more details.
  1. Colitis X
  1. The cause of this problem is unknown. Some possibilities might include Salmonella, E.coli, or Clostridium.
  2. Diarrhea is usually extremely severe, lasts less than 6 hours, and often results in the death of the animal.
  1. Sand
  1. Animals that eat directly on the ground in a sandy environment are susceptible.
  2. A diagnosis can be made based on a history of the horse being in a sandy environment, listening to the intestines, and examination of the manure for sand.
  3. Treatment - psyllium, IV fluids if necessary, and antibiotics for severe cases.
  1. Ulcers caused by non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (bute, Banamine or aspirin) or stress.
  1. Blister beetles
  1. These beetles are about 1 inch long and striped.
  2. The beetles are found in alfalfa feed only.
  3. Eating only 4-6 grams of the beetle can be fatal.

Clinical Signs: These will vary with the causative agent; therefore, refer to the specific page associated with each disease.

Treatment: In general, any animal having diarrhea will need supportive care. This will involve fluids (oral or IV, depending on the severity of diarrhea) and antibiotics if an infectious agent is suspected. For specific treatments, refer to the pages associated with each disease.

Prevention: Education and experience regarding any of the above problems is a step toward prevention. On a daily basis, an awareness of the diet, environment, and attitude of your horse will be very beneficial in early detection and prevention of many horse problems. See the specific pages associated with each problem for more prevention suggestions.