Diagnosing Clostridium perfringens infections in horses has taken a step forward, thanks to recent study results identifying two methods that extend the life of the bacteria contained in fecal samples from days to weeks. Clostridium perfringens (type C) is a bacterium that causes severe diarrhea in horses and is one of the most common causes of neonatal diarrhea. A veterinarian makes a final diagnosis only if he or she can detect the toxin C. perfringens produces, called CPB, in diarrheic horses’ intestinal contents or feces.
