Introduction to Digestive Disorders of Horses

Signs of digestive system disease can include excessive drooling, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, bleeding, abdominal pain and bloating, shock, and dehydration. Horses cannot vomit or regurgitate.

Diarrhea is often a sign of digestive system disorders, but it can have many causes. Large-volume, watery diarrhea usually is associated with hypersecretion, a condition in which excess fluid is secreted into the intestines. This can be caused by bacterial infection.

Diarrhea can also be caused by malabsorption, the failure to properly absorb nutrients. Malabsorption is due to a defect in the intestinal cells responsible for absorption. This condition can be caused by viral infection, by a defect that limits the ability of the intestines to absorb liquids, or by defects in the pancreatic secretions needed for effective digestion. Dehydration and electrolyte (salt) imbalance, which may lead to shock, are seen when large quantities of fluid are lost (for example, from diarrhea).

Digestive problems can also show up as changes in the number or character of bowel movements. Normal horse feces are apple-sized lumps that are well formed but somewhat moist. Digestive problems can result in feces that are too soft or too hard. Hard, dry feces can predispose horses to colic. The number of bowel movements per day, the color of the feces, and any tell-tale signs of blood should be reported to your veterinarian.

Colic is one of the most common digestive problems in horses. It usually involves intense abdominal pain, which your horse may show by pawing repeatedly at the ground, kicking at the abdomen, laying down and rolling, and looking at the flank. Other signs of colic include intense sweating, a distended or swollen abdomen, and straining to defecate. Colic is a serious condition that can have several causes; if you suspect that your horse has colic, prompt veterinary attention is necessary.

A diagnosis can only be made after the horse is thoroughly examined. Your complete, accurate description of your horse’s history (age, signs of illness, current diet, deworming schedule, when teeth were last floated, past problems, and so on) combined with a veterinarian’s physical examination can often determine the cause of a digestive system problem. When a digestive system disorder is suspected, your veterinarian’s initial examination might include the following: a visual inspection of the mouth for changes in the color and moistness of the mucous membranes; a determination of heart rate; a “hands on” examination of the abdomen and chest area to evaluate the shape, size, and position of the abdominal organs; tapping the abdomen or using a stethoscope to listen for sounds that indicate gas or for other abnormal sounds such as splashing; a rectal examination; and a visual examination of feces.

Depending on what the initial examination reveals, additional tests might include performing bacterial culture and virus isolation from feces; passing a stomach tube; using a long needle to collect fluid from distended abdominal organs or from the abdominal cavity for analysis; creating x‑ray images, which may include use of special dyes, to detect blockages and other problems; performing abdominal ultrasonography; obtaining a biopsy (sampling and microscopic analysis) of liver or intestinal tissue; or conducting additional blood tests to detect possible malabsorption or maldigestion.

Because it is easy for foreign organisms and other “invaders” to enter the digestive tract through the mouth, this body system is prone to infection by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other organisms (see Table: Infections of the Digestive System in Horses). These infections spread in various ways, but the most common are by direct contact or by contamination of food or water by feces.

People and animals all have small numbers of certain intestinal microorganisms found within the digestive tract—most commonly in the intestines—that become established within a few hours after birth. These so‑called intestinal flora are actually beneficial, in some cases aiding in digestion and in others helping to prevent infection. However, sometimes infections occur when these organisms, normally found in small numbers, suddenly multiply. This can occur after a period of stress, under unhygienic conditions, or in an animal whose immune system is weakened. For example, salmonellosis in horses can develop after transportation, extended anesthesia, or surgery.

Diagnosis of a specific infectious disease depends on finding and identifying the organism suspected to cause the disease. This may require one or more fecal samples, which will be submitted to a diagnostic laboratory.

Parasites are a frequent cause of digestive tract disorders in horses. Many species of parasites can infect the digestive tract and cause disease. The life cycles of some parasites are direct, which means that there is only one host. Eggs and larvae are passed in the feces, develop into an infective stage, and are eaten by the horse. No other animals or organisms are needed to complete the life cycle. Other parasites have complex life cycles that involve an intermediate host such as an insect. In this situation, infection is acquired when the intermediate host—or parasite shed by that host—is consumed by the horse. The extent to which a parasite affects an animal depends on the parasite itself, as well as the animal’s own resistance, age, nutrition, and overall health.

Parasites can cause severe disease or simply decrease your horse’s overall fitness. Some of these parasites also infect humans. Because parasite infection is easily confused with other illnesses, diagnosis depends on the veterinarian’s knowledge of seasonal cycles of parasite infection, as well as examination of feces for evidence of parasite eggs or larvae. In some cases, blood tests can also be used to detect the presence of parasites.

Many digestive system diseases are not caused by infective organisms. Their causes include overeating, eating poor-quality food, chemicals, obstruction caused by swallowing foreign objects, or injury to the digestive system. Digestive system disease can also be caused by enzyme deficiencies, damage to the digestive tract such as from stomach (gastric) ulcers, or birth defects. Digestive system signs such as diarrhea may also occur because of kidney, liver, or adrenal gland disease. The causes are uncertain in several diseases, including stomach ulcers in foals. Some conditions, such as colic, may have both infectious (such as damage from internal parasites) and noninfectious (such as excessive gas or simple obstruction) causes.

In noninfectious diseases of the digestive tract, usually only a single animal is affected at one time; exceptions are diseases associated with excessive food intake or poisons, in which multiple animals living together can be affected.

Specific disorders and their treatments are described later in this chapter; however, some general principles are listed in this section. Eliminating the cause of the disease is the primary objective of veterinary treatment; however, a major part of treatment is often directed at the signs of the disease and is intended to relieve pain, correct abnormalities, and allow healing to occur.

Elimination of the cause of the disease may involve drugs that kill bacteria or parasites, antidotes for poisons, or surgery to correct defects or displacements.

Use of drugs to correct diarrhea or constipation is done depending on the specific case. Although such drugs might seem to be a logical choice, they are not beneficial in every situation. For example, diarrhea can actually be a defense mechanism for the animal, helping it to eliminate harmful organisms and their toxins. In addition, the available drugs may not always give consistent results.

Replacement of fluids and electrolytes (salts) is necessary in cases where the animal is at risk of dehydration, such as from excessive diarrhea.

Relief of distension (bloating) by stomach tube or surgery may be required if the digestive tract has become distended with gas, fluid, or food.

Pain relief is sometimes provided. However, a horse being given pain medicine must be watched carefully to ensure that the pain relief is not masking a condition that is becoming worse.