Effects of oral supplementation of probiotic strains of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Enterococcus faecium on diarrhoea events of foals in their first weeks of life.
Authors: Ströbel Christina, Günther Elena, Romanowski Kristin, Büsing Kirsten, Urubschurov Vladimir, Zeyner Annette
Journal: Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Probiotic Treatment and Neonatal Foal Diarrhoea Neonatal diarrhoea remains a significant challenge in early foal management, with researchers investigating whether oral supplementation with *Lactobacillus rhamnosus* and *Enterococcus faecium* might mitigate or prevent foal heat diarrhoea during the critical first two weeks of life. In a randomised, placebo-controlled trial involving 34 foals, animals received either probiotic or placebo treatment from day 1 through to day 14, with faecal consistency scoring (where ≤3 on a 5-point scale indicates diarrhoea) conducted daily in weeks 1–2 and weekly thereafter through week 8. Contrary to expectations, probiotic-treated foals experienced significantly worse outcomes: diarrhoea incidence in week 1 was 61% versus 19% in controls, with affected foals experiencing 1.6 days of diarrhoea compared to 0.3 days in placebo recipients; week 2 showed similar unfavourable patterns (84% versus 94% incidence, but longer duration in treated foals at 3.7 versus 3.0 days), and 65% of treated foals developed recurrent diarrhoea compared to 33% of controls. These findings suggest that this particular probiotic protocol not only failed to prevent foal heat diarrhoea but may have paradoxically increased susceptibility, warranting caution regarding probiotic supplementation protocols in neonates and highlighting the need for more carefully designed intervention strategies, strain-specific investigations, and consideration of timing and dosing before widespread clinical adoption.
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Practical Takeaways
- •This specific probiotic formulation and dosing schedule did not prevent foal diarrhoea and may have worsened outcomes—do not use this protocol expecting protective benefits
- •Neonatal diarrhoea in foals remains a significant challenge requiring alternative management strategies; probiotics should not be relied upon as a preventive measure without further evidence
- •If considering probiotic supplementation for young foals, be aware that the evidence from this study suggests potential adverse effects, and consult current research before implementation
Key Findings
- •Probiotic treatment with Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Enterococcus faecium increased diarrhoea incidence in week 1 (61% vs 19% in controls) and increased duration (1.6±1.4 vs 0.3±0.8 days)
- •In week 2, diarrhoea occurred in 84% of treated foals versus 94% of controls, lasting 3.7±1.6 vs 3.0±1.5 days respectively
- •Treatment group foals experienced multiple diarrhoea episodes more frequently (65% vs 33%) and grew slightly slower than placebo controls
- •The probiotic supplementation protocol was ineffective and potentially counterproductive for preventing or mitigating neonatal diarrhoea in foals during the first two weeks of life