## Overview Equine proliferative enteropathy is a bacterial infection of the small intestine caused by Lawsonia intracellularis. It primarily affects weanlings and yearlings in the fall and winter. The intestinal wall thickens, leading to protein loss. Signs include rapid weight loss, ventral edema, variable diarrhea, and a pot-bellied appearance with very low blood protein. ## Causes Lawsonia intracellularis infection. ## Diagnosis Clinical signs in a young horse, severe hypoproteinemia, ultrasound showing thickened small intestine, and fecal polymerase chain reaction or serology. ## Treatment Antibiotics (often a macrolide or tetracycline), plasma or synthetic colloids for severe protein loss, and supportive care. Most treated horses recover. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good with early treatment. Untreated severe cases can be fatal. ## Prevention Biosecurity and, in some settings, vaccination or monitoring of at-risk weanlings.
rapid weight loss; ventral edema; variable diarrhea; pot-bellied appearance; very low serum albumin and total protein
## Overview Equine proliferative enteropathy is a bacterial infection of the small intestine caused by Lawsonia intracellularis. It primarily affects weanlings and yearlings in the fall and winter. The intestinal wall thickens, leading to protein loss. Signs include rapid weight loss, ventral edema, variable diarrhea, and a pot-bellied appearance with very low blood protein. ## Causes Lawsonia intracellularis infection. ## Diagnosis Clinical signs in a young horse, severe hypoproteinemia, ultrasound showing thickened small intestine, and fecal polymerase chain reaction or serology. ## Treatment Antibiotics (often a macrolide or tetracycline), plasma or synthetic colloids for severe protein loss, and supportive care. Most treated horses recover. ## Recovery and Prognosis Good with early treatment. Untreated severe cases can be fatal. ## Prevention Biosecurity and, in some settings, vaccination or monitoring of at-risk weanlings.
rapid weight loss; ventral edema; variable diarrhea; pot-bellied appearance; very low serum albumin and total protein