diarrhoea

[hearty]

Help please... have 17 hand warmblood come in from grass 2 / 3 weeks ago. He's in livery. He is out 3 times a week and is on hayledge, a little pasture mix, fluff, codlavine and garlic. He has also had a little sugar beet but I have been told to stop that and just keep him on the rest. He is very watery, I am very worried. He has been dribbly when he came in, then it seemed to clear up well, yesterday he was fine. Today, he;s come in from grass and it is almost clear! I've been recommended the above for his food...he is eating well and to give him a couple of days off. He went out for a hack yesterday. Could the fireworks have upset him? He's my first horse, had him just over 2 months, and I have been riding only for 2 and a half years. Any ideas please? <span style="color:black"> </span>

 

[GTs]

I think horses are just like us, sometimes it just happens. If my horse seemed fine and was up to date with the wormer, I would give her Pepto Bismal (240ml 4x a day) for a day or so. I would not be overly concerned unless he starts look depressed, dehydrated, etc.

 

[Happy Horse]

Upset from teh fireworks is unlikely to have such a dramatic effect on his droppings. The problem with severe diarrhoea is dehydration so you need to monitor how much he is drinking. If it is not cleared up in 24 hours I would get him checked and I would imagine the vet would want to run blood and faeces tests and possibly rectal him. Presumably he is wormed regularly?

 

[wizzi901]

when you say going out 3 times a week do you mean turned out 3 times a week or ridden? Not that this would be a cause I was just curious as to your horses routine?

If horse appears bright and alert etc I woudnt go into panic mode but I would keep a close eye on food/water intake and try and stick to hay/haylage for now and cut all hard food (only my opinion!!).

Has your horse gone to different pasture/new field? Has it been regularly wormed?

If it continues after you have upped the fibre and cut hard feeds AND he has a regular routine of turnout, ie not kept in for 2 days then out for 2 type thing (again I havent a clue of his routine so just guessing!) then I would def get a vet out to take a sample.

Its not usually serious but also you can get the occasional nasty. With horses dehydrating so quickly its worth a vets bill to be sure.

 

[vicm2509]

Is this sudden or does he usually have quite loose droppings? It may not be diaoreah (if it was it would be very very messy). My horse went to grass 24/7 in May and has had very loose droppings all summer, they were very much like cow pat and really stunk and he would poo all the time. I was worried and was about to get a blood sample taken. I started him on soaked oats, alfa oil and sugar beet. He is now in at night and has as much hay as he can eat, thats about half a bale a night. Now his poo is nice and firm, it is slightly wetter when he comes in from the field though.

Lack of fibre is one of the main reasons for the digestive system not functioning as it should. Also grass intolerance could be a problem (i figure my boy has a slight grass intolerance but also benefits from a high fibre diet).

If you are very worried and your horse has any other symptoms of ilness I would consult the vet right away. But otherwise try a high fibre diet and maybe some probiotics and see if he benefits at all.