FAQ – Cronic Diarrhea

Chronic diarrhea:
Please see this article on chronic diarrhea: https://thehorse.com/167963/finding-the-cause-of-chronic-diarrhea-in-horses-be-methodical/?fbclid=IwAR3BfoksvkEgzbhonwiQjLVO3iEdurkAelv81PPsSbLukgbgOctlnSa76WE

Things that are usually done to evaluate for chronic diarrhea:

• Review of history – seasonality of diarrhea, characterization of diarrhea, treatments tried and success/failure
• Physical examination (monitor body temperatures twice a day for a few days before the veterinary examination to give your vet a history of temps).
• Blood evaluation for white cell count, protein levels, inflammatory markers; if age appropriate, test for Cushing’s disease
• Fecal exam: parasites, fecal culture, fecal PCR, sand float
• Abdominal ultrasound, abdominocentesis
• Critical evaluation of the diet, deworming history
• Evaluation of home environment, pasture weeds, herd dynamics
  
  Here is an article on possible nutritional treatments: https://thehorse.com/177150/what-to-do-about-horses-with-loose-poop/

Fecal water syndrome:

• This syndrome is characterized by increased water around, before/after, and with normal manure balls. This is a recently described syndrome and studies are ongoing as to cause and treatment.
• Have a look at the following articles:
  • https://ker.com/equinews/feeding-horses-reduce-free-fecal-water/
  • https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282071432_Free_fecal_water_in_the_horse_-_An_unsolved_problem
  • https://www.buckeyenutrition.com/blog/2016/10/10/risk-factors-for-fecal-water-syndrome.aspx

After diagnostics have been done (listed above) and common causes such as sand, this becomes a trial and error disease.

Some vets have had luck with an all hay diet (meadow hay, alfalfa); others have had success with an all pelleted (senior) diet.

Supplements such as Equishure or Assure Guard Gold have been used with some success.

Fecal transfaunation can be attempted and is helpful in some cases.

Biosponge may help in some cases.

Consider joining this group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2825821607521075
– It is not moderated by veterinarians but since this is a trial and error syndrome, you’ll be among horse owners suffering the same condition. By Dr. Karie Vander Werf