Question of the Day

A history of recent antimicrobial therapy is common in cases of Clostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium difficile) associated diarrhea.

Adult horses exposed to erythromycin are particularly at risk for C. difficile enterocolitis. Mares are very close with their foals and thus, if the foal is receiving a medication, the mare is likely ingesting some as well.

Clostridium novyi is the cause of infectious necrotic hepatitis, which is primarily seen in sheep but can also be seen in cattle, hogs, and horses.

Lawsonia intracellularis  is the cause of proliferative enteropathy, resulting in diarrhea and hypoproteinemia in foals and swine.

Rhodococcus equi  is a notable cause of pneumonia in older foals characterized by pulmonary abscessation as well as some extrapulmonary manifestations.

Escherichia coli can be a cause of septicemia and diarrhea in foals and calves.