Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Foal with diarrhea diagnosed with C difficile and lactose intolerance
By Weese, J S et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1999·Department of Clinical Studies, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Association of Clostridium difficile with enterocolitis and lactose intolerance in a foal.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A neonatal foal with persistent diarrhea was diagnosed with Clostridium difficile enterocolitis and lactose intolerance. The vet confirmed the lactose intolerance through a lactose tolerance test and treated the foal with metronidazole, an antibiotic effective against C. difficile, and lactase to help digest milk. Initially, the lactase didn't work due to the ongoing infection, but once the C. difficile was treated, the foal began to digest milk normally again. This case highlights the importance of considering both conditions in foals with diarrhea, especially if they seem bright and alert.
People also search for: foal diarrhea treatment · Clostridium difficile in horses · lactose intolerance in foals
Abstract
Diagnoses of Clostridium difficile enterocolitis and lactose intolerance were made in a neonatal foal with persistent diarrhea. It was determined that the foal had lactose intolerance on the basis of the results of a lactose tolerance test, and a diagnosis of C difficile enterocolitis was subsequently made. The foal responded to oral administration of metronidazole and lactase. Lactose intolerance is a secondary problem most commonly associated with rotavirus infection, but it can be caused by any condition affecting the small intestine. Because C difficile can affect the small intestine in foals, it was presumably the cause of the lactose intolerance in this foal with persistent diarrhea. Oral administration of lactase was not initially successful in this foal, most likely because of ongoing C difficile enterocolitis. Presumably, metronidazole was an effective treatment for C difficile enterocolitis and administration of lactase allowed for normal digestion of milk until endogenous lactose production returned. Clostridium difficile enterocolitis and lactose intolerance should be considered as differential diagnoses in neonatal foals with diarrhea, especially when the foal is bright and alert.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9926015/