d+ foals

History

·    How old? – different differentials?

·    How long for?

·    Any progression?

·    Are they eating/drinking milk?

Risk factors

·    Pre-existing disease, e.g. sepsis, neonatal maladjustment syndrome

·    FPT

·    Poor hygiene

·    High stocking density

·    Antimicrobial administration

·    Milk replacer therapy made to incorrect conc./vol

Management

·    Treat underlying cause – but usually don’t know

·    Treat the consequences of diarrhoea:

o  Fluid/electrolyte loss – IVFT

o  Bacterial translocation – abx to reduce risk of developing secondary infection

o  Albumin loss – colloids

·    Supportive nutrition, e.g. parental – to give villi a rest period

·    Consider referral

Causes

Neonates aged 0-10d:

·    Infectious causes

o  Viral infection – rotavirus, coronavirus

o  Bacterial infection – gram +ve (Clostridium), gram -ve (e. coli, salmonella)

o  Fungal infections – candidia

o  Protozoal infections – cryptosporidium

·    Non-infectious:

o  Foal heat diarrhoea

o  Diarrhoea secondary to meconium impaction

o  Errors in feeding

o  Gastroduodenal ulceration

o  Sand enterocolitis

o  Systemic disease, e.g. sepsis

o  Congenital lactose intolerance

Neonates aged 10d-6w:

·    Infectious:

o  Above, plus

o  Parasitic infection – Strongyloides westerii (from mares milk), strongylus vulgaris (from faeces), Parascaris equorum (from faeces)

·    Non-infectious:

o  Foal heat diarrhoea

o  Diarrhoea secondary to meconium impaction

o  Errors in feeding

o  Gastric ulceration

o  Sand enterocolitis

o  Abx-induced