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Your foal was born healthy, nursed well, and grew as expected until about three months of age. Then, he just seemed to slow down. Internal parasites, including heavy burdens of roundworms, aren’t uncommon in foals and can cause weight loss, but you’ve worked closely with your veterinarian to ensure your foal and the dam have been dewormed strategically. What else could be going on?

“Respiratory and digestive infections are two of the many reasons that foals can lose weight,” says Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., equine nutritionist at Kentucky Equine Research in Versailles, Ky.

Diarrhea is typically noticeable and can be caused by various bacteria and viruses such as Escherichia coliSalmonella, and Clostridium difficile. Another bacterium that can wreak havoc on the intestinal tract of foals is Lawsonia intracellularis. This bug is a bit sneakier and doesn’t necessarily cause overt diarrhea. In fact, one of the most common signs of the “proliferative enteropathy” caused by L. intracellularis is weight loss, usually when the foal is around 4 to 6 months of age. Other signs include colic, lethargy, and fluid accumulation (swelling, edema) in the lower limbs and abdomen.

On the respiratory front, Rhodoccocus equi is a bacterium that usually causes pneumonia and abscesses in the lungs of young foals 1 to 5 months of age. It is a slowly progressive disease and affected foals typically appear dull and lethargic with a fever, loss of appetite, diarrhea, colic, and weight loss.

But assessing the body condition of foals is not the same as adult horses, so how do you know if your foal is losing weight? As described in this article, “Foals lay down fat differently than older horses. Fat is deposited on the sides of the withers and behind the elbows. Once those initial pockets are filled, fat deposition occurs back and down the ribcage. Babies are slower to cover their ribs, so much so that the ribs are visible even on foals of ideal weight.”

Other key things to look for when assessing a foal’s body weight are:

  • Foals with a body condition score of 2 or 3 (on a scale of 1 to 9) typically have diarrhea, gastric ulcers, or another illness that can adversely affect health;
  • The mare might be producing an inadequate amount of milk; and
  • Once a foal is weaned, its fat distribution is similar to a mature horse. Specifically, the fat will cover the ribs evenly and not be as apparent in the crest and shoulders.

In addition to the more common bacteria described above, there are a number of microscopic disease-causing organisms that can causes disease and weight loss in foals. It is therefore very important to routinely assess body condition in foals and contact your veterinarian with any concerns.

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