Feeding management of sick neonatal foals.
Abstract: Nutritional support of the foal can be challenging because of the constant changes in nutritional requirements and dietary composition during the transition from neonate to weanling. Additional complexity arises because of dilemmas regarding the means and route of delivery of nutrition to the foal, and the possibility that metabolic dysfunction may impair the ability of the foal to use nutrients appropriately. This article provides practical information on enteral and parenteral nutritional support of sick neonatal foals. The potential benefits of a conservative, hypocaloric feeding strategy, particularly in the very sick patient, are also discussed.
Publication Date: 2009-03-24 PubMed ID: 19303554DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2008.11.005Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article discusses the complexities of feeding management in sick newborn foals, it provides guidance on enteral and parenteral nutritional support, and discusses the potential benefits of a low-calorie feeding strategy.
Understanding the Complexities of Feeding Management in Sick Foals
- The research discusses the challenges involved in providing nutritional support to neonatal foals. The nutritional needs and dietary composition of these young horses change swiftly as they transition from neonate to weanling, adding an extra layer of complexity to feeding management. Part of the discussion focuses on how a young and sick foal’s metabolism might not function well enough to properly utilize nutrients, which can lead to additional challenges in managing their dietary needs.
Enteral and Parenteral Nutritional Support
- The research provides information on two main ways to feed sick neonatal foals: enteral and parenteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition involves delivering nutrients directly to the stomach or intestines, such as through a tube. This method is often used when the foal is unable to consume enough food on its own to meet its nutritional needs.
- On the other hand, parenteral nutrition is a method of feeding that bypasses the gastrointestinal tract entirely. It involves infusing nutrients directly into the bloodstream. This method might be necessary if the foal has severe gastrointestinal disease or other conditions that prevent normal digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Conservative, Hypocaloric Feeding Strategy
- The last part of the research discusses potential benefits of using a conservative, hypocaloric (low-calorie) feeding strategy in very sick foals. This type of feeding plan is designed to provide just enough calories needed for basic metabolic functions without overloading the foal’s system. It is speculated that this might help to avoid further complications associated with aggression nutrition and might be a suitable strategy for very sick foals.
Cite This Article
APA
McKenzie HC, Geor RJ.
(2009).
Feeding management of sick neonatal foals.
Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 25(1), 109-vii.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2008.11.005 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Marion DuPont Equine Medical Center, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Leesburg, VA 20177, USA. hmckenzi@vt.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed
- Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Critical Illness
- Diet / veterinary
- Dietary Supplements
- Enteral Nutrition / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Nutritional Requirements
- Parenteral Nutrition
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Wong D, Malik C, Dembek K, Estell K, Marchitello M, Wilson K. Evaluation of a continuous glucose monitoring system in neonatal foals.. J Vet Intern Med 2021 Jul;35(4):1995-2001.
- Voss JK, Dubois MS. Redundant mesocolonic mesentery in a Shire colt.. Can Vet J 2021 Feb;62(2):179-183.
- Barr B. Nutritional management of the foal with diarrhoea.. Equine Vet Educ 2018 Feb;30(2):100-105.
- Mallicote M, House AM, Sanchez LC. A review of foal diarrhoea from birth to weaning.. Equine Vet Educ 2012 Apr;24(4):206-214.
- Oliver-Espinosa O. Foal Diarrhea: Established and Postulated Causes, Prevention, Diagnostics, and Treatments.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2018 Apr;34(1):55-68.
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