Diarreias Não Infecciosas em Potros: principais tipos e critérios para o uso de antibióticos

Non-infectious diarrhea in newborn foals encompasses different clinical conditions that can range from mild, self-limiting alterations to severe cases with significant systemic involvement. Understanding the pathophysiology of these conditions is essential for proper diagnosis and management. In addition to the well-known foal estrus diarrhea, other conditions deserve attention, such as necrotizing enterocolitis, frequently associated with premature foals, perinatal hypoxia, sepsis, or hemodynamic instability. In these cases, intestinal perfusion is compromised, with intense inflammation and mucosal damage, which can rapidly progress to abdominal distension, endotoxemia, and severe clinical deterioration. Diarrhea can also be observed in poorly adjusted foals (Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome), in which neurological alterations compromise sucking, gastrointestinal emptying, and intestinal motility. These patients frequently present with functional ileus, abdominal distension, and digestive alterations secondary to systemic involvement and difficulty in neonatal adaptation. Another important type is diarrhea associated with sand poisoning, related to the excessive ingestion of sand or mineral particles present in the environment. This condition can cause irritation of the intestinal mucosa, changes in motility, and abdominal discomfort, as well as predisposing to gastrointestinal inflammatory processes. The differentiation between infectious and non-infectious causes depends on a detailed clinical evaluation, considering history, physical examination, neonate's behavior, laboratory abnormalities, and complementary tests. Early recognition of these conditions is fundamental to establishing adequate support and preventing more serious complications.