Parenteral nutrition in foals: a retrospective study of 45 cases (2000--2004)

Adequate nutritional support of sick foals in critical care is an important aspect of treatment. When enteral feeding is contraindicated, parenteral nutrition (PN) provides a source of energy and protein. However, no study has critically assessed the use of PN in a large group of foals.

The administration of PN to clinically ill foals was examined retrospectively to determine the effects of PN formulation and variables on the incidence of PN-associated complications and outcome.

There was no effect of PN formula on 1) the occurrence or type of complications; 2) of PN formula on outcome; 3) of disease severity on the occurrence or type of complications; and 4) of disease severity on outcome.

Medical records of 45 foals, presented to the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, which received PN, were reviewed for the years 2000-2004.

The indications for PN were recumbency, depression or gastrointestinal conditions. Formulation of PN was not associated with the development of complications, and there was no association of PN formula with patient survival. Disease severity was positively associated with the development of PN complications and the occurrence of PN complications was associated with an increased risk of nonsurvival.

The use of lipid-containing PN solutions facilitates the delivery of energy to the critically-ill foal without increasing the risk of deleterious side effects. Severely ill foals are more prone to develop complications associated with PN and to have a poor outcome.