The effect of omeprazole paste on intragastric pH in clinically ill neonatal foals

Administration of omeprazole paste per os to healthy neonatal foals has been shown to effectively increase intragastric pH, but has not been evaluated in sick neonatal foals.

To determine the effect of orally administered omeprazole paste on intragastric pH in clinically ill neonatal foals requiring nasogastric intubation.

Intragastric pH was measured continuously for 24 h using an indwelling electrode and continuous data recording system in hospitalised neonatal foals age < or =2 days. Intragastric pH was measured for 12 h prior to (pretreatment period) and 12 h following (post treatment period) treatment with omeprazole paste (4 mg/kg bwt per os). All foals displayed periods of acidity (pH <4) prior to treatment. Statistical analysis compared pre- and post treatment mean and median intragastric pH, and percentage of time below pH 4.

Eight foals were evaluated age 1-3 days, a gestational age of at least 320 days or reported to be full term. The mean (3.19 +/- 1.50 vs. 6.20 +/- 0.93) and median (4.6 +/- 1.7 vs. 6.86 +/- 0.89) pH were significantly higher and the percentage of time below pH 4 (32.25 vs. 1.1%) was significantly lower in the post treatment compared to the pretreatment period.

Omeprazole paste effectively increases intragastric pH in clinically ill neonatal foals after one dose at 4 mg/kg bwt orally.