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Frontiers in veterinary science2021; 8; 626081; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.626081

Effect of Feed Intake on Water Consumption in Horses: Relevance to Maintenance Fluid Therapy.

Abstract: Maintenance fluid therapy is challenging in horses that cannot drink or are denied feed and water because of concerns about gastrointestinal tract function and patency. Intravenous fluid delivery to meet water needs based on current recommendations for maintenance requirements were obtained in fed horses and therefore might not apply to horses that are not being fed. This is a critical flaw because of the interdependence between intestinal tract water and extracellular water to support digestion while preserving water balance, a concept explained by the enterosystemic cycle. Because horses drink less when they are not eating and hence have lower water needs than fed horses, maintenance water requirements need to be adjusted accordingly. This article reviews this topic and identifies benefits of adjusting maintenance fluid therapy to meet lower demands from gastrointestinal function, such as reduced volumes, lower cost, avoidance of overhydration.
Copyright © 2021 Freeman.
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Publication Date: 2021-03-01 PubMed ID: 33732739PubMed Central: PMC7956953DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.626081Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article examines the correlation between feed intake levels in horses and their water consumption patterns. Specifically, it highlights the effects of these elements on maintenance fluid therapy given to horses that can’t drink or eat due to gastrointestinal issues.

Problem Statement in Current Fluid Therapy Practices

  • This research stems from issues observed in the administration of maintenance fluid therapy in horses, especially those who are unable to drink or eat due to gastrointestinal concerns. Traditional methods of determining fluid needs, based on feeding levels, may no longer be appropriate or beneficial for horses not being fed.
  • Conventionally, recommendations for maintenance fluid requirements have been drawn from horses that are well-fed. Consequently, these recommendations may be flawed when transferred to a horse that is not feeding due to its unique set of water balance requirements.

The Concept of Enterosystemic Cycle

  • Under normal conditions, there is an interdependence between the intestinal tract water and extracellular water in the horse’s body. This balance supports digestion and maintains an overall water balance – a process described by the enterosystemic cycle theory.
  • However, when a horse is not feeding, this equilibrium gets disrupted. They drink less, hence have lower water needs than those horses who are feeding.

Adapting Maintenance Fluid Therapy

  • The study stresses the importance of aligning the horses’ maintenance fluid therapy with their current needs, particularly considering whether they are feeding or not. This approach requires adjustments in water requirement assessments, particularly for horses that aren’t eating.
  • Shifting this approach to fluid therapy can have several proposed benefits. These improvements can result in lesser volumes of fluid given, lower costs, and most vitally, avoidance of overhydration, which can be harmful to the equine individuals.

Implications and Conclusions

  • This research essentially challenges current practices of maintenance fluid therapy, calling for a more nuanced understanding of fluid needs based on a horse’s actual water needs grounded on its feeding status.
  • By underscoring the need to reevaluate fluid therapy, the research could spur further studies with far-reaching clinical implications not only for horses but also for other animals facing similar health conditions.

Cite This Article

APA
Freeman DE. (2021). Effect of Feed Intake on Water Consumption in Horses: Relevance to Maintenance Fluid Therapy. Front Vet Sci, 8, 626081. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.626081

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 626081
PII: 626081

Researcher Affiliations

Freeman, David E
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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