we have a nearly 4day old colt that just developed GREEN diarrhea. he is sucking & still energetic, active. no fever. his mom has been on our home raised alfalfa 4th cutting for several months--we're in a drought & noone has any 2nd or 3rd cutting left. none of our other horses have diarrhea. could this be the alfalfa? Can someone please help?}
Heather, it could be that your mare came into heat and it is longe believed that this could be the cause in the change in stools-hormonal change in mare=change in stool in baby, others believe that it could be the bacteria that introduced into the gut and the gut is just taking natural progression as it is having to adjust, others believe that it is related to parasites being introduced. Keep a eye on things. Will clear up in a few days, if not make sure you contact a vet if the foal has major energy change, dehydration and things like that, but I would guess that it should be fine.
It is not clear what causes "foal heat scours", but hormonal changes in the mare have very definitely been ruled out as the cause. It is thought (but not proven) that the most likely cause is a slight stomach upset as a result of the foal getting into things.
WRT this foal - have you checked his temperature? Keep a close eye on that. If he shows any signs of being depressed or a temperature in excess of 101°F contact your veterinarian immediately. The chances are good that what you are seeing is related to the diet, but he is also in the right time frame for neonatal septicaemia as well.
Keep a close watch!
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