Don't underestimate diarrhea in your horse! May be a symptom of a serious disease
Diarrhea in horses is a problem that sooner or later every owner of these animals will face. Although sometimes diarrhea is due to a change in feed or temporary stress, it can also be a signal of more serious health problems. If diarrhea is neglected, the horse can quickly become dehydrated, lose valuable electrolytes and weaken. Long-term digestive problems not only reduce its condition, but in extreme cases can pose a threat to health and even life.
Why diarrhea is so dangerous? Along with watery feces, the horse loses valuable nutrients and electrolytes. In cases of chronic diarrhea, horses lose weight, become lethargic and more susceptible to infections. It is very important to quickly identify the causes of diarrhea and take appropriate action.
What can cause diarrhea in horses?
Diarrhea in a horse can have many causes ranging from small causes such as stress or a change in diet, to serious illnesses that require veterinary intervention. What are the most common causes of diarrhea?
1. Internal parasites
Internal parasites are one of the most common causes of chronic diarrhea in horses. Horses can carry such parasites as:
Nematodes, which damage the intestinal mucosa, leading to digestive problems, weakness and diarrhea.
Tapeworms, which can cause intestinal obstruction, lead to abdominal pain, weight loss and nutrient deficiencies.
Strongylus vulgaris, which causes severe inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, and its larvae can damage intestinal blood vessels, with the risk of serious complications.
What the treatment looks like?
When a horse is infected with parasites, it may not only suffer from diarrhea, but also lose weight, become weaker, have a dull coat and worse condition. Regularly deworm your horse and test its feces to ensure the health of its digestive system. After deworming, be sure to give probiotics, such as TRM Synbiovit, which will help rebuild the intestinal bacterial flora.
2. Intestinal constipation
Your horse may accidentally ingest small amounts of sand while eating forage from the ground or grazing on sandy areas. The accumulation of sand in the intestines irritates the mucosa, causes inflammation and can lead to chronic diarrhea.
Symptoms of intestinal constipation:
chronic diarrhea,
weight loss,
recurrent colic.
If you want to check if your horse has a problem with accumulated sand in the intestines, perform a simple test. Take a stool sample, place it in a jar of water and leave it for a few hours. If sand collects on the bottom, it is worth taking appropriate action to prevent further health problems.
What the treatment looks like?
To help your horse, give it plantain, which helps remove accumulated sand from the intestines. It is also a good idea to strengthen the intestinal microflora with the right supplements, such as NAF Biotics, which support digestion and digestive health.
3. Stomach ulcers
Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS, Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome) is a common problem that can cause digestive disorders, including diarrhea. Ulcers most often develop through excess stomach acid, stress and poor diet.
EGUS Symptoms:
decrease in appetite,
irritability,
weight loss,
changes in behavior, such as aggression during saddling up.
What the treatment looks like?
Take care of your horse's diet, enrich it with fiber, reduce stress and use supplements to support the gastric mucosa. By doing so, you will help heal ulcers and prevent their recurrence.
4. Salmonellosis
Diarrhea can indicate infection with Salmonella bacteria, which are dangerous and easily transmitted to other horses. The infection weakens the body, leads to dehydration and serious digestive problems, so prompt diagnosis and treatment are very important.
How to prevent?
Take care of regular disinfection of the stable, check the quality of the feed and quickly isolate horses that are ill. With these measures, you will reduce the risk of spreading infection.
Malabsorption syndrome
Some horses have problems with nutrient absorption, leading to chronic diarrhea and weight loss. To find the cause, it's a good idea to do blood and stool tests. Treatment consists mainly of changing diet and taking supplements to support digestion.
How to avoid diarrhea in a horse?
If you want your horse to avoid digestive problems, pay attention to a few important things. Regularly test his feces and blood - this will allow you to quickly detect parasites or other abnormalities before the condition worsens. Feed it good quality hay rich in fiber, as it promotes proper digestion. Too much grain and sugars can harm him, so it's better to keep it in moderation. Don't forget the water. Your horse should have constant access to it, especially in hot weather and after exercise, as dehydration exacerbates digestive problems. Introduce new feeds gradually, as sudden changes can cause diarrhea. Also keep the stable and paddock tidy. Regular cleaning and avoiding feeding from the ground reduces the risk of infection and parasites.
In addition, you can support your horse's intestinal microflora by regularly giving him probiotics, such as TRM Synbiovit. They will help maintain the bacterial balance in the digestive tract and promote healthy digestion.
What to do when a horse has diarrhea?
There is no need to panic, but it is also not worth ignoring the problem. If your horse has diarrhea, first of all, make sure he drinks plenty of fresh water, as dehydration can quickly worsen his condition. It is also a good idea to give him probiotics and electrolytes to help rebuild the intestinal microflora and support the body in the recovery process. Activated charcoal, which acts like a sponge and absorbs toxins and helps suppress diarrhea, can also be a good option. However, if the problem persists for more than two days and the horse becomes lethargic, apathetic and has no appetite, do not delay - contact your vet, as more specialized help may be needed.
Diarrhea in horses can result from both minor disorders and serious diseases. This is a signal that is not worth ignoring. A proper diet, regular checkups and support for the digestive system, such as probiotics, help prevent many problems. Therefore, take care of your horse and you will avoid dangerous complications.
