Diarrhoea in Older Foals and Weanlings
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium is a protozoa and causes diarrhoea when infective particles are eaten from the environment.
Diagnosis
Cryptosporidium can be detected by analysing the droppings in a lab.
Treatment
No direct treatment is available o treatment is aimed at supporting the animal e.g. fluids. Infection can be prevented by good hygiene and yard management.
Rotavirus
This virus affects foals from 1-4 weeks of age.
Treatment
No direct treatment is available o treatment is aimed at supporting the animal e.g. fluids. Infection can be prevented by good hygiene and yard management.
Rhodococcus equi
Rhodococcus equi is a bacteria that infects foals from 2-6 months of age. The bacteria can be eaten or breathed in and is most commonly seen in foals on dry paddocks with a large number of horses grazing. The bacteria lives within certain cells and then causes abscesses to form. Affected foals, usually 1-3 months of age, have a fever and can have diarrhoea and colic with the intestinal form.
Diagnosis
The bacteria can be cultured in a lab from samples of blood or respiratory secretions.
Treatment
The antibiotics erythromycin and rifampicin are used in conjunction.
Strongyloides westeri
This worm can be transferred in the mares milk and can cause diarrhoea in foals between 3 and 6 weeks of age.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis can be made by visualising the worm eggs under a microscope.
Treatment
The affected foal should be wormed.