Very Common
Less Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Diarrhea, Feed Related
Summary
Changes in feed can cause digestive upset in horses. This usually occurs when a sudden transition is made from a higher roughage ration to a higher grain ration, but can occur for a variety of other reasons.
Horses have a limited ability to digest starch, and if the proportion in the diet suddenly increases, diarrhea can result. Diarrhea or soft "cow pie" manure may occur because of shifts in the populations of intestinal microbes, and changes in acidity of the gastrointestinal tract.
As with people, some horses simply don't tolerate certain feeds and will develop diarrhea if it is fed. This may include syndromes comparable to "gluten allergy or intolerance" that are becoming better recognized in people.
The colon does not function properly if there is too high a fiber load. This happens, for instance, in horses that cannot chew their feed. Consequently, diarrhea is common in old horses with bad teeth.
In general, horses with mild nutritional diarrhea are not outwardly ill otherwise. They maintain a good appetite and attitude. Their physical exam and basic laboratory work is usually quite normal.
Horses have a limited ability to digest starch, and if the proportion in the diet suddenly increases, diarrhea can result. Diarrhea or soft "cow pie" manure may occur because of shifts in the populations of intestinal microbes, and changes in acidity of the gastrointestinal tract.
As with people, some horses simply don't tolerate certain feeds and will develop diarrhea if it is fed. This may include syndromes comparable to "gluten allergy or intolerance" that are becoming better recognized in people.
The colon does not function properly if there is too high a fiber load. This happens, for instance, in horses that cannot chew their feed. Consequently, diarrhea is common in old horses with bad teeth.
In general, horses with mild nutritional diarrhea are not outwardly ill otherwise. They maintain a good appetite and attitude. Their physical exam and basic laboratory work is usually quite normal.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
The prognosis is good, provided it does not progress into a bacterial colitis.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Very Common
Less Common
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- What management changes do I need to make to resolve this situation?
Prevention
Make dietary changes slowly. Feed excellent quality feeds. Feed only as much grain as necessary to provide energy for the task the horse will perform.
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health
