Which combination of signs would be most indicative of enterocolitis in a foal?

• A. Colic, diarrhea, FPT
• B. Colic alone
• C. Diarrhea without colic
• D. Vomiting and coughing

Answer: (A)

Enterocolitis in foals involves inflammation of the intestinal tract and typically shows abdominal pain (colic) with diarrhea. When a foal also has failure of passive transfer (FPT), its immune system didn’t receive enough maternal antibodies, making it more prone to bacterial infection and septic complications in the gut. So having colic plus diarrhea together with FPT strongly points to enterocolitis, more so than just colic alone, diarrhea alone, or non-GI signs like vomiting and coughing. Colic by itself can come from many non-GI issues; diarrhea without colic can be from milder or filtering problems; and vomiting with coughing isn’t characteristic of enterocolitis in foals.