Horses poo smells odd. Is it the antibiotics?

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dozzie

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Despite this sounding funny, I am being serious!

Basically my old chap's stable smells. It is a sweet smell and makes me physically throw up. It is not an ammonia smell. I am fine with all the other stables, they smell like they should!! He is on antibiotics for liver problems and has had B12 supplements.

Do you think it is the antibiotics? I thought originally it was the B12 that was causing the smell. But he isnt on that now. All the other boxes are fine. I am having to hose the stable out several times a week, daily when possible, to get rid of the smell.

Or is the smell linked to his liver probs? Just wondering if anyone has experienced something similar really!

I am struggling with the throwing up everytime I muck him out LOL!!! I think I might have to get some of those nose clips!
 
I don't know about the smell but sympathise. Quite probably the a/bs.

Try a good blob of Vick or something on your upper lip, or a scarf with a fresh drop of, say, eucalyptus oil over your mouth.
 
That's a good idea!!
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Thanks!
 
Herbie's smelt horrible when he was on box rest recently, with liver problems and bacterial infection.
I had to disinfect daily and also splodge some on his bedding.

The actimel yogurts helped clear the gut, also bathing in vosene, as the smell was coming through his coat.
 
Many older horses with liver problems develop an odd sweet smell .I've also noticed Cushings syndrome horses smell oddly to me . My vet swears I'm part BloodHound re: the Cushings thing .I would say the sickening sweetish odor is the liver problem
 
Yes, probably the antibiotics.
I ended up in hospital myself on huge doses of antibiotics (to cure bacterial meningitis) from drips - and fluid would seep through my skin, and smell weird.
Too much information, I know
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It might help if you give him some pre and probiotics to sort out his gut bacteria again.
S
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Antibiotics will give him a bit of the runs and may change the smell of the faeces.
If he has liver problems, that could change smells too.
Bile is manufactured in the liver and one of it's many functions is to deodourise faeces.
If the liver is "not quite right" that could be the root of your malodorous poo.
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It could also be infection.
Difficult to say really, without seeing it (or smelling it
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You could try live yoghurt or other probiotics to see if that helped.
 
Antibiotics kill the bacteria in the digestive system as well as the ones causing the infection.

It can make the poo smell odd.

I give my horse live natural yoghurt when he is on ABs or you could try equine gold or other probiotic forumla

Hope the infection clears up soon x
 
Thanks everyone. I was beginning to wonder if it was my imagination! Clearly not. I did ask my vet about using probiotics but he said no as it wasnt a gut problem. He finished the ABs yesterday so it will be interesting to see if the smell changes. Will try to get some probiotics tomorrow.
 
my horse was on vit b12 and 6 and bute and antiboctics for her liver diease and she never smelt any different nore her stable i would not use pro or preboitics if he has liver probs do to you will make the liver work harder if the vet advises it well fair enough but dont just do it your self!
 
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