Rotavirus is a leading cause of diarrhea in foals up to six months of age at breeding farms worldwide. | Photo: iStock

The document, available for download at aaep.org/guidelines/infectious-disease-control/using-guidelines, summarizes the disease’s clinical signs, risk factors, diagnostic methods, control measures, biosecurity issues, and other management protocols.

At the AAEP’s Infectious Disease Committee’s request, Roberta Dwyer, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVPM, equine extension veterinarian and professor at the University of Kentucky, and Ashley Whitehead, DVM, BSc, DVSc, Dipl. ACVIM, senior instructor in equine clinical sciences at the University of Calgary, created the guidelines. Then, the committee and the AAEP Board of Directors reviewed and approved the guidelines.

“Foal diarrhea remains a disease of enormous significance to the horse industry,” said Dwyer. “Rotavirus is one of the most common pathogens in major breeding areas worldwide. Early recognition, diagnosis, treatment and biosecurity in cases of foal diarrhea are key to minimizing disease impacts to breeding farms