Despite advances in veterinary medicine, the first few weeks of a foal’s life can still be risky. Many health problems can arise, including myriad gastrointestinal (GI) disorders that can quickly drain a youngster of health, vigor, and sometimes life. Explains Brady J. Bergin, DVM, assistant professor and rural veterinary practice clinician in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University, “Foals will develop evidence of GI disease manifested as diarrhea from a number of causes, including nutrition, bacteria, viruses, septicemia (blood-borne infection), parasites, and even around the time of a dam’s first heat. GI disease is an especially serious problem in foals due to their weak (yet developing) immune and digestive systems.”

Other troubles in the GI tract present as the inability to pass meconium, inappetence, failure to thrive, lethargy, teeth grinding, and colic.

Here’s a look at some common and not-so-common GI problems in foals