Diarrhea acquired while staying in a hospital, termed nosocomial diarrhea, is an unfortunate risk when hospitalizing a horse, but there are steps owners and veterinarians can take to help prevent disease.

There are many reasons why horses get diarrhea while in the hospital, including infectious pathogens, diet changes, medication, exposure to sick animals, and stress, said Ann M. Chapman, DVM, MS, of Louisiana State University, who recently reviewed the issue for Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice.

A delicate balance of beneficial bacteria populates the colon and keeps it healthy. When horses are hospitalized, diet changes and some medications might alter the mix of beneficial bacteria, allowing potentially harmful bacteria to overpopulate and cause diarrhea.

If a horse is hospitalized, the owner should bring some of the horse’s normal feed to avoid abrupt diet changes that might disrupt the colon’s bacteria