Clinical signs

In cases of diarrhoea, the faeces can range from semi-solid to watery and there may be some urgency or straining to toilet. Often there will be faeces in the tail and down the legs, indicating that normal faecal balls are not being passed. Some cases can be painful, resulting in the horse showing colic signs, such as pawing at the ground, lying down more than usual, rolling, kicking at the belly, looking at the flank, or not eating.

When the intestine is so damaged that it can’t absorb protein from the food, a condition called proteinlosing enteropathy can develop. This is seen as a swelling underneath the belly, known as oedema.

Fresh blood can be seen in the faeces when there has been a large amount of damage to the intestinal wall or when the horse has been straining to pass the faeces. The faeces often have a foul smell too.