In addition to collecting a thorough patient history and conducting a comprehensive physical exam, veterinarians should perform basic diagnostics such as blood work to evaluate organ systems, electrolyte concentrations, protein levels, and for evidence of infection. | Photo: iStock

From infectious disease to microbial imbalance in the gut, causes of chronic diarrhea in horses run the gamut. Veterinarians gathered recently to share their approaches to dealing with the common issue. At the heart of it? Every horse and situation is different; pay close attention to details.

Ashley Whitehead, DVM, DVSc, Dipl. ACVIM, senior instructor of equine clinical sciences at the University of Calgary, and Luis Arroyo, Lic. Med. Vet., DVSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, associate professor at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College, both in Canada, moderated the lively discussion on chronic diarrhea at the 2018 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in San Francisco, California.

The conversation covered the importance of collecting a thorough patient history, conducting a comprehensive physical exam, and considering details not normally considered in diarrhea cases, such as toxic plants in the facility’s pastures. Whitehead recommended performing basic diagnostics such as blood work to evaluate organ systems, electrolyte concentrations, protein levels, and for evidence of infection. In addition, fecal egg counts are helpful to rule out internal parasites