Diarrhea antisecretory agents

True antisecretory agents, those that block a biochemical process that promotes intestinal fluid secretion, are not available for clinical use in horses. Loperamide can reduce the volume of diarrhea in foals with a primarily small intestinal secretory disorder. However, treated foals may become colicky as a result of fluid distention in the intestines because the mechanism of action is primarily retention of fluid within the intestine. Also, retention of intestinal content may promote the proliferation of enteropathogens. The enkephalinase inhibitor racecadotril appears to have true antisecretory effect in animal models and in humans with diarrhea (Izzo et al 1998). Its safety or effectiveness in foals and horses has not been reported. 

Mechanism of Action An antinauseant and antiulcer agent that absorbs water and toxins in the large intestine and forms a protective coating in the intestinal mucosa. Also possesses antisecretory and antimicrobial effects. Therapeutic Effect Prevents diarrhea. Helps treat Helicobacter pybri-associated peptic ulcer disease. 

Binding of causative agents of enteric infections and their protein toxins by Silics, as well as its antisecretory properties and ability to enhance absorption processes in bowels, give rise to its high efficacy in the treatment for infectious diarrheas. Thus, addition of Silics (at a daily dose of 100-250 mg kg-1) to the basic therapeutic complex makes it possible to accelerate (by 2-3 days) the positive dynamics of symptoms in patients and, as a result, to attain a shortening of their hospital stay. Besides, administration of Silics leads to a decrease in the necessary amounts of agents for dehydration therapy and prevents development of bacteria carrying states (Table 6). 

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