older mare and chronic diarhea
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older mare and chronic diarhea
We have a 30+ year old mare within the last year or so she started having diarhea on and off, she is not on grass (ina dry lot) it has gotten worse the last few mos. is there anything we can give her to help her not be so runny? she is bright and alert and eats up everything, she doesn't have much teeth left we just want to keep her comfortable when she defacates, alittle solid will come out and then the rest just "shoots out" any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.
Trakgal,
There are diarrhea products out there but they are not really for daily use and they are not necessarily cheap.
Not sure what type of hay you provide or can provide, but something more like Timothy would be best for the diarrhea but might be harder for her to chew (no alfafa). The grain you feed should be of the senior variety or a lower protein product. Diarrhea is a symptom of many things, bad teeth being one of them. You may need to grind her grain for her.
If you can take her temp then you should. High temps 102+, then your vet needs to get involved because she is fighting some type of bacterial infection or virus.
One other possible aid you could try would be one of the sand colic products. Contains psyllium husk which is a natuarl fiber. The way I understand this fiber to work is that as it is digested it forms a gel in the track and what the gel passes by sticks to it. It will not completely firm the stool but it should make it so it does not squirt and can be shoveled from the paddock. This would be a product you can use daily but would add about 30-50 dollars monthly to her care depending on how many scoops works best to reduce her symptoms.
JonR
There are diarrhea products out there but they are not really for daily use and they are not necessarily cheap.
Not sure what type of hay you provide or can provide, but something more like Timothy would be best for the diarrhea but might be harder for her to chew (no alfafa). The grain you feed should be of the senior variety or a lower protein product. Diarrhea is a symptom of many things, bad teeth being one of them. You may need to grind her grain for her.
If you can take her temp then you should. High temps 102+, then your vet needs to get involved because she is fighting some type of bacterial infection or virus.
One other possible aid you could try would be one of the sand colic products. Contains psyllium husk which is a natuarl fiber. The way I understand this fiber to work is that as it is digested it forms a gel in the track and what the gel passes by sticks to it. It will not completely firm the stool but it should make it so it does not squirt and can be shoveled from the paddock. This would be a product you can use daily but would add about 30-50 dollars monthly to her care depending on how many scoops works best to reduce her symptoms.
JonR
This mare has no temp and is cushionoid, she gets a very soft "older but clean" grass hay. I know she could be at the end of her rope... just trying to keep her as comfy as possible, thanks for your unput will try grinding her grain, she can't be on "senior" because of the mollasses, too much sugar.
i agree, no sugar.
they say that when their teeth get real bad the grain ingested sits in the stomach and intestinal track causing irritation. The horses body responds with diarrhea to flush the irritants from the system.
When the diarrhea is persistent like your mares case dehydration is something to watch for as well.
Luck,
JonR
they say that when their teeth get real bad the grain ingested sits in the stomach and intestinal track causing irritation. The horses body responds with diarrhea to flush the irritants from the system.
When the diarrhea is persistent like your mares case dehydration is something to watch for as well.
Luck,
JonR
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