Advanced PCR Testing for Equine Diarrhea and Gastrointestinal Disease
Comprehensive Molecular Screening for Important Equine Enteric Pathogens
Diarrhea, fever, decreased appetite, colic, weight loss, and changes in manure consistency can be associated with several infectious gastrointestinal pathogens in horses. Because these organisms may cause similar clinical signs, identifying a potential infectious agent can help the attending veterinarian determine appropriate next steps.
The Affordable Pet Labs Equine Diarrhea PCR Fecal Panel uses molecular testing to screen a fecal sample for important bacterial and viral pathogens associated with equine gastrointestinal disease.
PCR testing detects genetic material from the targeted organisms or toxin-associated genes, providing a sensitive method of evaluating horses with acute, persistent, recurrent, or unexplained gastrointestinal signs.
Pathogens and Toxin Targets Included
This panel screens for:
- Salmonella enterica
- Clostridioides difficile enterotoxin A
- Clostridioides difficile cytotoxin B
- Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin
- Clostridium perfringens beta toxin
- Clostridium perfringens beta2 toxin
- Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin — cpe
- Neorickettsia risticii
- Equine Coronavirus
Understanding the Test Targets
Salmonella enterica
Salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea, colic, reduced appetite, dehydration, and systemic illness in horses. Infected horses may intermittently shed the organism, so a single negative result does not completely exclude infection when clinical suspicion remains high.
Because Salmonella may spread between animals and can pose a human health risk, suspected cases should be managed with appropriate isolation and biosecurity precautions under veterinary guidance.
Clostridioides difficile
This panel evaluates toxin-associated targets for:
- Enterotoxin A
- Cytotoxin B
Clostridioides difficile may be associated with diarrhea and colitis, particularly in horses that have recently received antimicrobial medications, experienced hospitalization, or undergone other disruptions to the normal intestinal microbiome.
Detection of toxin-associated genetic material should be interpreted alongside the horse’s clinical signs, medication history, and other diagnostic findings.
Clostridium perfringens
This panel evaluates several toxin-associated targets:
- Alpha toxin
- Beta toxin
- Beta2 toxin
- Enterotoxin — cpe
Clostridium perfringens organisms may sometimes be present within the intestinal tract without causing disease. Detection of the organism or a toxin-associated gene does not automatically confirm that it is responsible for the horse’s clinical signs.
The attending veterinarian should interpret positive results in relation to the specific toxin detected, the horse’s age, clinical presentation, treatment history, and other laboratory findings.
Neorickettsia risticii
Neorickettsia risticii is the organism associated with Potomac Horse Fever. Clinical signs may include:
- Fever
- Depression
- Reduced appetite
- Diarrhea
- Colitis
- Dehydration
- Laminitis
Prompt veterinary evaluation is important when Potomac Horse Fever is suspected, particularly in horses with fever, diarrhea, or signs of laminitis.
Equine Coronavirus
Equine Coronavirus may cause gastrointestinal and systemic illness, particularly in adult horses. Clinical signs can include:
- Fever
- Reduced appetite
- Depression
- Changes in manure consistency
- Diarrhea
- Colic
- Neurologic abnormalities in severe cases
PCR testing can help identify viral genetic material in feces, but the result must be interpreted alongside the horse’s symptoms and exposure history.
When Should This Panel Be Considered?
The Equine Diarrhea PCR Fecal Panel may be appropriate for horses experiencing:
- Acute or persistent diarrhea
- Recurrent loose manure
- Fever with gastrointestinal signs
- Colic accompanied by diarrhea
- Reduced appetite or depression
- Unexplained weight loss
- Suspected Potomac Horse Fever
- Possible exposure to an infectious horse
- Diarrhea following antibiotic treatment
- Gastrointestinal disease affecting multiple horses at a facility
- Unexplained gastrointestinal illness after travel, competition, hospitalization, or boarding
Horses with severe diarrhea, fever, dehydration, weakness, persistent colic, neurologic signs, or suspected laminitis require prompt veterinary attention.
How It Works
-
Order the Test Kit: Purchase the Equine Diarrhea PCR Fecal Panel online.
-
Collect the Sample: Collect a fresh fecal sample using the materials and instructions provided.
-
Activate the Kit: Complete the required horse and owner information before returning the sample.
-
Package the Sample: Secure the specimen according to the included shipping instructions.
-
Ship It to the Laboratory: Use the provided return shipping materials and label.
-
Receive the Results: Results will be delivered electronically and may also be shared with the horse’s veterinarian.
Sample Collection Instructions
For the most reliable sample:
- Collect freshly passed manure.
- Avoid samples contaminated with excessive bedding, dirt, sand, urine, or standing water.
- Use the collection materials provided in the kit.
- Follow all included packaging and shipping instructions.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the sample.
- Use gloves when collecting manure from a horse suspected of having an infectious gastrointestinal disease.
Do not collect the sample directly from the rectum unless instructed and performed by a veterinary professional.
Turnaround Time
Results are typically available within several business days after the laboratory receives an acceptable sample. Processing times may vary depending on shipping, laboratory volume, specimen quality, confirmatory testing, weekends, or holidays.
This test should not delay emergency veterinary care or necessary treatment.
Understanding PCR Results
A positive PCR result means genetic material from the targeted organism or toxin-associated gene was detected in the submitted sample.
A positive result does not always confirm that the detected organism is the sole cause of the horse’s illness. Some organisms may be carried or shed without causing active disease.
A negative PCR result means the targeted genetic material was not detected in the submitted sample. A negative result does not completely exclude infection because pathogen shedding may be intermittent, the organism may be present below the test’s detection threshold, or the sample may have been collected after treatment began.
Repeat testing or additional diagnostics may be recommended when clinical suspicion remains high.
Important Biosecurity Information
Horses with suspected infectious diarrhea should be separated from other horses whenever possible until evaluated by a veterinarian.
Recommended precautions may include:
- Isolating the affected horse
- Using dedicated buckets, tools, tack, and cleaning supplies
- Wearing gloves and protective clothing
- Cleaning and disinfecting contaminated surfaces
- Preventing shared water or feeding equipment
- Limiting unnecessary movement between barns
- Monitoring exposed horses for fever or gastrointestinal signs
Salmonella and certain other gastrointestinal organisms may pose risks to people. Children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and immunocompromised individuals should avoid handling potentially infectious manure.
Important Veterinary Disclaimer
This panel is a diagnostic screening test and is not a substitute for a physical examination or veterinary consultation.
Affordable Pet Labs does not diagnose disease, prescribe medication, or recommend treatment based solely on laboratory results. All results should be reviewed with the horse’s attending veterinarian, who can interpret the findings alongside the horse’s history, physical examination, clinical signs, medication use, exposure risks, vaccination history, and additional testing.
Seek immediate veterinary care when a horse has severe or persistent diarrhea, fever, dehydration, weakness, significant abdominal pain, neurologic signs, dark or congested gums, increased digital pulses, or signs of laminitis.
Get More Answers About Your Horse’s Gastrointestinal Health
The Equine Diarrhea PCR Fecal Panel provides broad molecular screening for important bacterial and viral pathogens associated with gastrointestinal disease in horses.
Order the Equine Diarrhea PCR Fecal Panel to obtain valuable laboratory information that can support informed discussions with your veterinarian.
