Rotaviral diarrhoea and its treatment in a foal

Abstract

A severely dehydrated foal with a history of acute diarrhoea was presented to Massey University for treatment. Rotavirus was demonstrated in the faeces by electron microscopy. The failure to detect other pathogens suggested that rotavirus was the primary aetiological agent. Successful treatment of this case is described and the principles of treatment for diarrhoea, particularly fluid therapy, are reviewed. Antibodies to rotavirus were detected in the sera of nine mares and their foals on the stud that referred the case, indicating that rotaviral infection was probably endemic.