Nutritional management of the foal with diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is a common problem in the neonatal and suckling foal. In certain circumstances supplemental nutrition is necessary depending on the age of foal, severity of diarrhoea and presence of other systemic manifestations. Nutritional supplementation can be provided either enterally or parenterally. Enteral nutrition is superior to parenteral nutrition because it is the most natural and physiologically sound means to provide nutritional support. Parenteral nutrition may be warranted if the foal is unable to receive or tolerate enteral nutrition. Dextrose alone or with amino acids and lipids can provide appropriate nutrition when enteral feeding is not tolerated. As soon as the foal stabilises enteral feeding can be reintroduced.     

Nutritional Support In Pancreatitis: A Retrospective Study

The medical records of animals with pancreatitis that received nutritional support were evaluated. Over a five year period (1989–1994), 16 patients with pancreatitis (14 dogs and 2 cats) received nutritional support. Affected animals commonly exhibited vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss, as well as multiple clinicopathological abnormalities.
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was used in 13 of the cases, while two animals received partial parenteral nutrition (PPN), and one was fed through a jejunostomy tube. The duration of nutritional support ranged from one to 13 days, with a mean of 6.6 days. Three of the animals receiving TPN had complications resulting from the nutritional support, including hyperglycemia, hyperammonemia, and hyperlipidemia. The survival rate for all 16 cases was 56% (9 of 16).
A variety of nutritional support techniques can be successfully used in animals with pancreatitis and are associated with few complications, most of which can be managed with adjustments in treatment regimen.     

Diet‐associated hepatic failure and immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia in a Weimaraner

Objective: To describe the medical and nutritional management of a 4‐year‐old Weimaraner with acute hepatic failure and immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) associated with consuming a commercial dog food. Case summary: A 4‐year‐old male castrated Weimaraner developed signs of IMHA, hepatic failure, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and malnutrition after consuming a commercial dog food. During the course of hospitalization, medical management included immunosuppressive therapy and supportive care. Nutritional support consisted of both enteral and parenteral nutrition. The dog was discharged after 19 days of hospitalization and fully recovered by 6 months. An investigation by the Food and Drug Administration was not able to determine the exact cause of the acute hepatic failure and IMHA. New information provided: This is the first case report documenting the medical and nutritional management of a critically ill animal associated with ingestion of this commercial dog food.     

Nutrient–drug interactions in nutritional support

Abstract Objective: To review the types and potential consequences of diet/nutrient–drug interactions that can occur in patients receiving nutritional support. Data sources: A literature review was performed using Ovid multi‐database searching including Medline, Agricola and Biosis. Summary: Although very little information is currently available that pertains specifically to veterinary patients, we know from the human experience that food intake and diet composition can affect the absorption, distribution, metabolism, efficacy and toxicity of a drug. Conversely, certain drugs can alter the absorption of nutrients when administered in conjunction with food or act to antagonize nutrient metabolism or function. The different ways that incompatibility can arise between food or nutrients and drugs in patients receiving nutritional support and strategies for avoiding these problems are discussed. Conclusions: The consequences of diet/nutrient–drug interactions include decreased tolerance of nutritional support, loss of feeding access, decreased drug efficacy, nutrient malabsorption or malassimilation, and risk of drug overdosage. Therefore, when patients receiving nutritional support experience these types of complications, a review of the diet, route of nutritional support, drugs, and timing of feeding and medication administration are indicated.     

Esophagostomy Feeding Tube Use and Placement in Exotic Pets

Providing enteral nutrition to injured or ill exotic animal patients by means of assisted feedings minimizes catabolism and gastrointestinal morbidity associated with anorexia, while optimizing immune system and organ function, and providing nutritional precursors necessary for healing. When determining the nutritional needs of a debilitated animal, it is important to account for both metabolic rate and energy requirements. Providing enteral nutrition via a feeding tube utilizes the functional gastrointestinal tract in patients that cannot or will not eat. Additionally, administration of food through a feeding tube is significantly less stressful for patients than restraint and syringe feeding. Feeding tube placement should be considered in any animal where the stress associated with syringe feeding is likely to result in significant morbidity or when the need for an extended period of assisted feeding is required.     

Critical Care Nutrition for Exotic Animals

Exotic animals presented to the veterinary hospital are often malnourished, particularly when ill. Sufficient levels of energy and protein need to be provided for debilitated patients along with important amino acids and vitamin supplementation. For raptor species, a clinical condition described as refeeding syndrome also complicates medical and surgical success. It is important to understand malnutrition and nutritional support to improve treatment outcome of weakened exotic animal patients that are presented to veterinary hospitals. Many of the critical care principles described in this article are derived from mammalian studies.     

Parenteral nutrition in the mature horse

Parenteral nutrition is an important component of the management of critically ill horses unable or unwilling to eat. It provides dextrose, amino acids, vitamins and minerals and, in some cases, lipids for nutritional support until enteral nutrition can be reinstituted. It can also be used as a supplement to enteral nutrition, where horses are not ingesting at least 80% of digestible energy (resting) requirements for more than 2–3 days. This review discusses the indications, applications, monitoring and complications of parenteral nutrition in mature horses.     

代谢组学及其在动物营养研究中的应用

代谢组学作为一种高通量、高灵敏度、高精确度的现代分析技术,在过去的十几年里得到了迅速的发展,被广泛应用于植物学、微生物、食品学、营养学、毒理学、药物学和环境科学等领域的研究中。随着动物营养学的研究向宏观扩展和微观的深入,代谢组学作为一种强大的技术手段为其提供了重要的技术支持,它将会成为动物营养学研究的重要手段之一。作者从代谢组学的提出、代谢组学的特点及其研究方法对代谢组学进行了简单介绍;并从在研究营养素与机体的相互关系中的应用、用于饲料营养对动物机体影响的评价、用于研究动物消化道菌群与宿主的相互作用、在动物性食品安全中的应用及代谢组学在发酵饲料开发中的应用5个方面综述了代谢组学在动物营养研究中的应用。     

Nutritional considerations for horses with colitis. Part 1: Nutrients and enteral nutrition

The equine colon is the primary site of fibre digestion and water absorption. It is therefore not surprising that colitis and associated colonic dysfunction can result in severe nutritional derangements, which can be exacerbated by reduced feed intake in affected horses. Dietary management of colitis is important for optimum recovery. In broad terms, it should prioritise provision of nutrients to horses that otherwise have reduced appetites. In some forms, such as right dorsal colitis, as well as those with chronicity, nutritional recommendations include restricting or eliminating long‐stem roughage from the diet and feeding a complete pelleted diet. Voluntary enteral nutrition is preferred, but horses that are not ingesting enough to meet the minimum recommended requirements as outlined, should be fed via nasogastric tube (if tolerated – no reflux, no ileus and no colic present; faecal output present). Parenteral nutrition may be necessary in some cases, as some colitis cases do not tolerate enteral feeding for reasons such as colic, intestinal dysmotility or abdominal distension. Timing and constitution of nutritional intervention is vital and should be tailored to the individual patient to prevent further complications of the disease process.     

影响母猪繁殖性能的营养因素及调控措施

近年来随着中国养猪业不断规模化、集约化的发展,如何提高母猪的繁殖性能已成为养猪行业的热点。母猪的繁殖性能受遗传、营养、环境、健康状况等因素综合影响,其中营养因素是十分重要的因素之一。在母猪饲养管理的不同阶段采取一些简单可行的营养学方法,会显著提高母猪繁殖性能。作者在分析影响母猪繁殖性能的营养因素的基础上,提出了在母猪不同饲养阶段所采取的营养调控措施。     

铬营养及其在家畜生产中的应用

铬是动物必需的营养微量元素之一,近几年对铬营养的研究工作已取得了相当大进展.本文综述了铬的营养作用和铬在家禽生产中的应用效果,为进一步在动物生产中科学地应用铬提供依据.     

糖蜜在反刍动物营养中的应用

糖蜜是甘蔗、甜菜等榨糖后的一种副产品.近年来,糖蜜已经成为了反刍动物饲养中一种必不可少的辅助性饲料.本文主要综述了糖蜜的营养特性及其在反刍动物营养中的作用,为其在反刍动物饲料中的研究、开发和应用提供理论依据.     

反刍动物营养生理的分子生物学研究与展望

本综述讨论了反刍动物营养生理的分子生物学研究。许多研究证明 ,营养可以影响反刍动物生长轴、生殖轴(有关激素、受体) ,代谢以及有关酶的基因表达。机理研究认为营养因子除了作用于基因启动子外 ,还涉及转录后的调节。这是当前营养生理学的重要研究领域 ,它将促进基本理论和新技术的发展     

Nutritional interventions to prevent and rear low‐birthweight piglets

Selection for hyperprolific sows, as a means of increasing litter size and profit, has resulted in an increased number of low‐birthweight (LBW) piglets. These LBW piglets might suffer from increased morbidity and mortality during the early neonatal period. In addition, they show reduced growth performance, meat and carcass quality, which leads to an important economic loss for the farmer in the post‐natal period. Therefore, nutritional interventions can be undertaken to prevent and rear LBW piglets. In the first part of this review, the preventive strategies at the sow level will be discussed. Approaches in preventing LBW piglets are to optimize the intrauterine environment via supplementing the sow during gestation. In the second part of this review, the interventions at the piglet level will be described. To increase the survival and growth rates of LBW piglets, one must focus on ensuring adequate colostrum and milk intake. Interventions include supplementing piglets, split nursing, split weaning and cross‐fostering. Additional interventions increasing the probability of optimal post‐natal food intake will be discussed.     

Chronic oesophageal foreign body in a cat

An 11-year-old cat was presented with an approximately 2-month history of dysphagia, intermittent regurgitation and weight loss. An oesophageal foreign body was identified on plain radiographs, and an oesophagotomy was performed to remove a large V-shaped bone from the caudal cervical oesophagus. A gastrostomy feeding tube was placed to allow nutritional support postoperatively. Medical treatment for oesophagitis was initiated after surgery. No complications were encountered and the cat was discharged 4 days after surgery.     

Hepatic diseases in horses

The concept 'liver disease' includes several pathological conditions affecting liver's functions. It can either consist of a temporary impaired functioning of the liver and/or it can progress to its failure. The purpose of this review is to update the knowledge on hepatobiliary diseases and in particular on equine hyperlipaemia. Hepatobiliary disease's aetiology, clinical signs, diagnosis and nutritional management are thus described in the first part of the review the second part being devoted to hyperlypaemia's lipid metabolism, epidemiology, clinical signs, post-mortem observations and nutritional management. Diagnosis of hepatic disease is usually based on the assessment of the serum activities while hepatic biopsy is considered as the golden standard of diagnosis of hepatic function. Nutritional management is often very useful in management of hepatic diseases: diet should be low in protein (of good biological value) and high in non-structural carbohydrates except for chronic hepatic disease (slightly high protein). Equine hyperlipaemia's mortality is around 70%. It consists of a disorder of lipid metabolism, characterized by increase in plasma triglycerides and deposition of fat on organs. From a nutritional point of view, hyperlipaemia in horses can be approached by maintaining positive energy balance, fighting dehydration and metabolic acidosis, and by the use of lipotropic factors.     

Modelling milk yield,milk components and body composition changes in the lactating sow

Equations were developed to describe milk production and composition in the lactating sow on the basis of maximum yield curves diminished by low nutrient availability and low body reserves. Milk output was given first priority on available nutrients, with high efficiency (0.72 and 0.82 for energy and protein, respectively), followed by support costs, which in turn, were dependent on level of production.Availability of nutrients for maternal tissue accretion was determined to be highly dependent on the ratio of energy to protein in the diet, and diminished markedly at higher levels of intake. Dietary energy availability ranged from 0.95 to 0.77 and protein availability between 0.8 and 0.57 at the extremes of intake examined. The ratio of dietary energy to protein also proved to be an important determinant of milk output and the composition of body tissue mobilisation. The resulting model predictions closely approximated the responses observed in practice and provided a valuable means of evaluating nutritional strategies for the reproducing sow.     

An anatomical and clinical review of cricopharyngeal achalasia in the dog

Cricopharyngeal achalasia is a rare cause of dysphagia in the dog. However it must be differentiated from other causes of dysphagia as it is treatable with surgery. It is a disruption of the cricopharyngeal phase of the oropharyngeal phase of deglutition. There appears to be an incoordination in the swallowing process between the relaxation of the rostral, middle pharyngeal muscles and the caudal pharyngeal muscles. It is seen as a primary condition in young animals presenting soon after weaning onto solid food. The dogs appear clinically healthy unless there is secondary aspiration pneumonia or emaciation. These dogs may present as respiratory emergencies and require intensive support and treatment prior to corrective surgery. The diagnosis is made on videofluoroscopy. The condition carries a good prognosis for cure with surgical myectomy of the cricopharyngeal muscle and the thyropharyngeal muscle, which make up the upper oesophageal sphincter. Temporary relief prior to surgery can be achieved by injection of the cricopharyngeal muscle with botulism toxin. Surgical treatment for dysphagia secondary to an underlying neurological, neuromuscular or pharyngeal weakness carries a guarded prognosis and will make aspiration pneumonia worse.     

Preventing and managing complications of enteral nutritional support

Complications of enteral nutritional support include mechanical problems related to the feeding device, gastrointestinal side effects, metabolic disturbances, and infectious complications. Although the sickest patients are often the ones that we feel will most likely benefit from nutritional support, they are generally more challenging to feed and least likely to tolerate complications arising from assisted feeding. Many of the problems that can occur with enteral nutritional support can be anticipated, which may allow them to be avoided or possibly aid in early detection and thereby minimize consequences to the patient. Therefore, knowledge of the types of complications that can occur with enteral nutritional support will aid in the process of deciding whether and how a patient should receive assisted feeding, and what parameters to monitor while a patient is receiving nutritional support.