The effect of dietary fibre on hydration status after dehydration with frusemide.

This research aimed to study the impact of dietary fibre on the hydration status of horses when dehydrated by using frusemide, a drug that causes fluid loss. It was found that higher fibre intake led to increased water consumption, greater body weight before dehydration, and a more significant weight loss in response to frusemide.

Introduction

Further study details include investigating the role of dietary fibre in hydration. Three different diets were administered to six horses to measure any potential improvement in hydration level post-dehydration by frusemide. Frusemide was used specifically to simulate dehydration conditions that might occur due to sweat loss from exercise.

Methodology

• The diets given were uniform in terms of dry matter content, energy, protein and electrolyte content, the key difference being total dietary fibre (TDF) and soluble fibre (SDF) content.
• Three types of diets were administered: HIGH-HIGH (High TDF, High SDF), HIGH-LOW (High TDF, Low SDF), and LOW-LOW (Low TDF, Low SDF).
• In each ten-day period, the water intake and faecal moisture content were examined on the seventh day. The feed and water were then withheld on the tenth day, and horses were dehydrated with frusemide.
• Key parameters like plasma volume, plasma total protein, packed cell volume and plasma electrolyte concentrations were recorded and assessed before and after the administration of frusemide.

Results

• The study found that the water consumption was significantly greater when horses were fed diets high in TDF. The faecal moisture content was also at its highest when the horses were on the HIGH-HIGH diet.
• The study also found there was a decline in plasma volume and a rise in plasma total protein concentration following frusemide administration, which was similar across all diets.
• When on the HIGH-HIGH diet, the horses were found to have a greater bodyweight prior to dehydration and lost more weight in response to frusemide.
• The study observed a more substantial body weight loss due to frusemide, but without a proportional loss of plasma volume when horses were on HIGH-HIGH diet. This led to a suggestion that a diet high in SDF might allow the horses to derive dispensable water from the hind gut during dehydration.

Conclusion

High-fibre diets seem to promote a higher water intake which potentially leads to a better hydration status in horses. This research emphasizes the importance of an adequate fibre content in the diet for maintaining horses’ hydration, especially in dehydrating conditions.