Fw: ANTIBIOTICS AND GUT FLORA?????

["Steph Teeter" <step@fsr.com>]

<this query is being forwarded for Sheri Thompson - please send
responses to the ridecamp list so that she can view them through
the archives. thanks, Steph>


>
>Message:  My horse was on antibiotics on two separate occassions to clear
up a
>scratches infection.  Both times while on the antibiotics while either
doing
>an endurance ride or training on a long ride he colicked (gas colic).  I
was
>told by several veterinarians that the antibiotics had killed off my horses
>gut flora  (the good stuff) and now he has only gas producing bacteria (the
>bad stuff) in his gut.  My horse is now on large amounts of probiotics and
>Forco.  I am looking for anyone with any similar experiences that might
help
>me or ease the mystery with this problem.  I let my horse rest for 4 weeks
>after the second gas colic episode (with only turn outs and hand walking)
and
>then I started him back slowly (riding-walking only-about 4 miles every 2-3
>days) and after the first week of starting him back, when he felt really
good,
>I let him trot a little but 24 hours later he acted slightly uncomfortable
>i.e. popping his lips together, yawning-all the usuaal signs he shows when
he
>is a little gassy.  So I am now letting him rest again for 2-3 weeks and I
>will start riding him at a walk again.  Can anyone that has ever had this
>problem tell me how long it took their horse to recover totally and what
they
>did to help the horse recover from this problem.  Any information regarding
>this would be greatly appreciated.
>
>Thank you,
>
>Sheri Thompson
>