Causes of neonatal diarrhoea Flashcards
The neonatal period is commonly divided into two periods. What are they? What occurs during these periods?
▪0-10 days
▪10 days–6 weeks
Massive maturation/growth occurs during these periods
While nutrition is predominantly obtained from mare’s milk, ingestion of roughage will occur particularly towards 6 weeks of age although weaning commonly occurs at around 6 months of age
In this age group what is d+ indicative of?
- SI dz only
- whereas, in juvenile/adult horses LI pathology must exist for d+ to be a CS
Infectious causes of diarrhoea in foals: 0-10 days
Viral Infection
* Rotavirus
* Coronavirus (usually immunocompromised foals)
Bacterial Infection
* Gram positive enterocolitis Clostridium spp
* Gram negative infections E.Coli spp, Salmonella spp,
Actinobacillus spp
Fungal Infection
* Candida/ Mucor spp (usually immunocompromised foals)
Protazoal Infection
* Cryptosporidium
Non-infectious causes of diarrhoea in foals: 0-10 days
Foal heat diarrhoea
Diarrhoea secondary to meconium impaction
Errors in feeding (concentration or volume) particularly in orphaned foals
Gastroduodenal ulceration
Sand enterocolitis
Systemic disease
* Perinatal asphyxia syndrome/ neonatal
maladjustment syndrome * Sepsis
Congenital lactose intolerance
Infectious causes of diarrhoea in foals: 10 days - 6 weeks
Viral Infection
* Rotavirus
* Coronavirus (usually immunocompromised foals)
Bacterial Infection
* Gram positive enterocolitis Clostridium spp,Rhodococcus equi
(uncommon in foals <6 weeks of age
* Gram negative infections E.Coli spp, Salmonella spp,
Actinobacillus spp
Fungal Infection
* Candida/ Mucor spp (usually immunocompromised foals)
Parasitic Infection
* Strogyloides Westerii, Parascaris equorum, Strongylus vulgaris
Protazoal Infection
* Cryptosporidium
Non-infectious causes of diarrhoea in foals: 10 days - 6 weeks
Foal heat diarrhoea (normally seen up to 2 weeks of age)
Diarrhoea secondary to meconium impaction
Errors in feeding
* Post enteritis lactose intolerance
Gastric ulceration
Sand enterocolitis
Antibiotic Induced diarrhoea (most commonly associated with oral administration)
Risk factors for development of diarrhoea in neonatal foals
▪Pre-existing disease
▪Failure of passive transfer
▪Poor hygiene in the peripartum period
▪High stocking density
▪Antimicrobial administration
▪Milk replacer therapy
Aims of tx
▪Treatment of the underlying cause
▪Treatment of the consequences of diarrhoea
– Fluid/ electrolyte loss
– Bacterial translocation
– Albumin loss
– Nutrition
What is the first parasitic infection foals can come in contact with and why?
- Strongyloides Westerii
- It is passed through the dams milk
How does post enteritis lactose intolerance occur?
- Enteritis can damage the villi, therefore can have post enteritis difficulties in metabolising lactose and milk sugars
Where do foals need to be to become infected with Parascaris equorum & Strongylus vulgaris?
- on pasture / have access to pasture
- the eggs are deposited on the pasture from the mare
Why is pre-existing dz a risk factor for d+ in neonatal foals?
-> changes in feed intake -> predisposed to developing d+
Which is the most important risk factor for the development of d+ in the neonate and why?
- FPT
- foals have yet to develop their adaptive immune response, so much of their immunity relies on passive transfer of cytotoxic T cells and immunoglobulins in the mares colostrum
- if this doesn’t happen the foal is predisposed to a wide range of infectious agents
– many Thant cause d+
Why is milk replacer therapy a risk factor for d+ in neonatal foals?
- it doesn’t mimic the natural way the foal would get milk from the mare
- potentially varying strengths and concentrations
Why is antimicrobial administration a risk factor for d+ in neonatal foals?
- development of the microbiota is occurring during this period so AB administration may alter this and lead to d+
