Gastrointestinal Problems in the Foal

Meconium impaction, ulcers, diarrhea, and other GI problems can arise in foals.
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Gastrointestinal Problems in the Foal
Clostridium perfringens (type C) is a bacterium that causes severe diarrhea in horses and is one of the most common causes of neonatal diarrhea. | Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt/The Horse
When your foal takes his first breaths, the inner happenings of his gastrointestinal tract (GI) probably aren’t your first concern. But there are a number of GI problems that could arise–some that are potentially life-threatening–so according to one Tufts University researcher, be on guard for clinical signs of these illnesses.

“The gastrointestinal system of the newborn foal is susceptible to many different problems in the first few days of life,” explained Mary Rose Paradis, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM (LAIM), an associate professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Tufts, in North Grafton, Mass. During a presentation at the 2011 Western Veterinary Conference, held Feb. 20-24 in Las Vegas, Nev., she discussed a few of the common gastrointestinal problems foals face in the early stages of life.

“Foals are often less tolerant of abdominal pain that adult horses,” Paradis said. “But the good news is that the incidence of colic in the foal less than 6 months of age is about 18 times less than in the adult horse

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Erica Larson, former news editor for The Horse, holds a degree in journalism with an external specialty in equine science from Michigan State University in East Lansing. A Massachusetts native, she grew up in the saddle and has dabbled in a variety of disciplines including foxhunting, saddle seat, and mounted games. Currently, Erica competes in eventing with her OTTB, Dorado.

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