The use of parenteral nutrition in calves

Parenteral nutrition has been an important adjunct to therapy of abdominal diseases in calves, with chronic diarrhea and wasting being the most common indication. Parenteral nutrition is administered on a short-term basis to prevent further protein-energy malnutrition in debilitated calves that cannot or will not consume adequate quantities of milk. Parenteral nutrition solutions consist of a protein source (amino acids) and energy sources (glucose and lipid emulsions), supplemented as needed with balanced electrolytes and vitamins. Complications due to PPN are rare, and it is the authors' clinical impression that survivability is enhanced when PPN is employed, although enhanced survivability was not demonstrated in one controlled experimental trial.