What we know:
Over the last two months, we have had two horses hospitalized with unexplained diarrhea.
First horse was in July at the clinic for 7 days
Second horse started showing signs of diarrhea at 11 am last Sunday, admitted to clinic Monday afternoon.
Both horses had liquid poo, and mild temps (High of 102.2 so far) no other distress.
At admission, both horses were suspected of Potomac and initially treated as such.
Fluids, banamine and oxytetracycline. Both horses have consistent vaccine history
First horse improved only minimally with Potomac meds and fluids, and did not start to show improvement until started on Sucralfate. He is home and doing well now.
Second horse was still going downhill until last night when they started him on the GI meds.
Both horses are now confirmed PHF negative, both horse’s diarrhea panels have come back negative.
Both horses had low protein upon admission, both horses SAA increased steadily upon admission even on the PHF meds.
We have 8 horses total on the property, turnout 24/7-they have sheds, clean water, one horse per acre on planted pasture-alfalfa/grass mix, most do not get grain unless they are in work. Body scores range from low 5 to 8. Both of the horses that ended up in the clinic, I would say could have gained a few pounds and not be considered chonky. Everyone else is verging on chonky or chonky.
All vaccinated, all utd on everything.
The two things of note: Horse B did have a decent amount of sand in his poo when we tested prior to sending him to the clinic. Vet says “Sand doesn’t cause diarrhea”. I did not choose to argue the point with her at the time. The primary caretaker in hindsight did think it possible both horses were a smidge less energetic for a few days before they got sick.
We are checking all of the pastures again for weird weeds.
What are we missing?
