Final answer:
Foal heat diarrhea in young horses is not specifically caused by a parasite but is a non-infectious condition related to the mare's estrous cycle. Parasites like Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium species can cause severe diarrhea in a range of hosts, including humans, but are not associated with foal heat diarrhea.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to a specific type of diarrhea known as foal heat diarrhea, which suggests inquiry into a particular cause of illness in young horses. However, there may be a misunderstanding as foal heat diarrhea in equines is commonly a non-infectious diarrhea occurring in foals during the mare's first estrous cycle after birth and is not specifically associated with a parasite. While the question might be hinting at a diarrhea caused by parasites, it is important to clarify that foal heat diarrhea itself is typically not parasitic.
The information provided relates to different parasites causing diarrhea in general, such as Giardia lamblia, commonly causing giardiasis, and Cryptosporidium species causing cryptosporidiosis. While these are important causes of parasitic diarrhea in humans and some animals, they are not directly linked to foal heat diarrhea in horses.
Giardia lamblia is a single-celled protozoan parasite that infects the GI tract causing severe diarrhea known as giardiasis, or beaver fever. This parasite attaches to the intestinal mucosa and interferes with nutrient absorption, often leading to diarrhea and malnutrition.
Cryptosporidium species, another protozoan, can cause cryptosporidiosis, associated with intestinal symptoms and sometimes epidemic diarrhea through water contamination. However, it’s important to note that while these parasites are significant in their own right, they are not the cause of foal heat diarrhea.