Diarrhoea in Young Foals (Neonates)
Foal heat diarrhoea
This occurs in foals at 5-10 days of age and is due to normal changes within the intestines. Most foals remain bright and well and the diarrhoea usually resolves in a few days.
Treatment
Gut protectants or probiotics can be used, although, often no treatment is necessary.
Neonatal septicaemia
Septicaemia is infection within the blood caused by bacteria that vcan spread to organs in the body. This occurs in young foals and is a general condition due to bacterial infection affecting other organs such as the lungs and joints, joint ill, as well as the intestines.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually made by the clinical signs i.e. foals will be ill with a high temperature and may be lame with a swollen joint or show respiratory signs alongside diarrhoea. A sample of blood can be cultured to find the exact bacteria causing the septicaemia.
Treatment
The main treatment is antibiotics, although other supportive treatments such as intravenous fluids may be required.
Clostridial infection
This cause of diarrhoea is very severe and frequently fatal. The main treatment is antibiotics, although other supportive treatments such as intravenous fluids may be required.