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Veterinary Manual

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Parasitism (Gastrointestinal) in Horses

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Parasitism (Gastrointestinal) in Horses

By Allison J. Stewart, BVSC (Hons), MS, DACVIM-LA, DACVECC, Professor of Equine Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, John Thomas Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University

Both large and small strongyles have been incriminated as a cause of chronic diarrhea in horses and foals. The condition associated with small strongyles in horses is termed cyathomostomiasis and has been reported to result in recurrent colic, diarrhea, and weight loss. (See Gastrointestinal Parasites of Horses.)

Giardiasis (see Giardiasis (Giardia)) has been reported in a limited number of cases as a cause of intermittent diarrhea in horses. However, Giardia can also be found in the feces of a small number of healthy horses and is rarely recognized as a cause of diarrhea in horses. Cryptosporidia (see Cryptosporidiosis) have been identified in the feces of both healthy and diarrheic foals. There is evidence that Cryptosporidium spp can cause diarrhea and even death in immunocompetent foals; cryptosporidia have been described as a cause of outbreaks of foal diarrhea on some farms.

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In all animals, malassimilation refers to an impaired ability of the gastrointestinal tract to provide nutrients to the body because of maldigestion or malabsorption. Maldigestion occurs when food cannot be properly broken down within the intestinal lumen. Malabsorption occurs when nutrients fail to pass from the intestinal lumen into the blood. Which of the following diseases is most likely to result in maldigestion?

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