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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio) / Refeeding syndrome in a miniature donkey.
Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)2021; 31(5); 668-673; doi: 10.1111/vec.13074

Refeeding syndrome in a miniature donkey.

Abstract: To describe refeeding syndrome in an equid without a history of recognized risk factors. Methods: Refeeding syndrome with marked hypophosphatemia developed in an aged miniature donkey gelding during treatment of suspected enterocolitis. Hypophosphatemia (manifested clinically as ileus and neuromuscular weakness) developed despite a short (3 day) history of hyporexia, increased body condition (7/9), and adherence to nutritional recommendations for critically ill equids. Nutritional support included nasogastric enteral feeding with a commercial equine nutrition product claiming to provide 100% of the National Research Council's daily recommended protein, vitamin, and mineral requirements for equids. Hypophosphatemia developed despite this enteral supplementation and was ultimately corrected by intravenous administration of sodium phosphate solution. Conclusions: This case report suggests that risk factors for refeeding syndrome in equids may be broader than previously recognized. Specifically, critically ill equids at risk for insulin dysregulation may have unique nutritional co-morbidities and requirements. This report highlights the need for both broader recognition of risk factors for refeeding syndrome, and revised best-practice nutritional guidelines and supplementation products to improve equine critical care.
© Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2021.
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Publication Date: 2021-07-14 PubMed ID: 34259376DOI: 10.1111/vec.13074Google 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.

This research article presents a case of refeeding syndrome in a miniature donkey, showing that risk factors for this condition may be more widespread than previously understood. The article underscores the significance of recognizing these risk factors and improving nutritional guidelines and supplements for the critical care of horses and related animals.

Research Context and Methodology

In thisexperiment, a miniature aged donkey gelding developed refeeding syndrome during treatment for suspected enterocolitis. The condition was characterized by notable hypophosphatemia, which manifested clinically as ileus and neuromuscular weakness. This development was surprising as the donkey did not present traditional risk factors for refeeding syndrome:

  • The donkey had a short history (3 days) of hyporexia, which is an abnormally reduced appetite for food.
  • Its body condition was relatively healthy, with a score of 7 out of 9.
  • There was strict adherence to standard nutritional recommendations for critically ill equids.

Nutrional Support and Response

The donkey received nutritional support through nasogastric enteral feeding, which used a commercial equine nutrition product. This product claimed to provide the full quota of daily recommended protein, vitamin, and mineral requirements for equids according to the National Research Council. Despite such supplementation, the donkey developed hypophosphatemia. This condition was corrected later through the intravenous administration of a sodium phosphate solution.

Implications and Conclusion

The implications of this case study extend to a broader scope of understanding risk factors for refeeding syndrome in equids. The study suggests that these factors may not be as narrow as was previously believed. Particularly, the findings indicate that critically ill equids at risk for insulin dysregulation may also be susceptible to unique nutritional co-morbidities and requirements.

This case highlights the necessity of a wider recognition of risk factors for refeeding syndrome amongst equids. Further, the research advocates for revising existing best-practice nutritional guidelines and supplementation products to enhance equine critical care, thereby preventing the occurances of such scenarios.

Cite This Article

APA
Bookbinder L, Schott HC. (2021). Refeeding syndrome in a miniature donkey. J Vet Emerg Crit Care (San Antonio), 31(5), 668-673. https://doi.org/10.1111/vec.13074

Publication

Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)
ISSN: 1476-4431
NlmUniqueID: 101152804
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 31
Issue: 5
Pages: 668-673

Researcher Affiliations

Bookbinder, Lauren
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
Schott, Harold C
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Critical Illness
  • Enteral Nutrition / veterinary
  • Equidae
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Hypophosphatemia / veterinary
  • Male
  • Refeeding Syndrome / veterinary

References

This article includes 25 references
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