Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Refeeding syndrome in a miniature donkey.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)
- Year:
- 2021
- Authors:
- Bookbinder, Lauren & Schott, Harold C
- Affiliation:
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A miniature donkey gelding, who was older and had been treated for suspected enterocolitis (inflammation of the intestines), developed a condition called refeeding syndrome, which caused low phosphate levels in his blood. This issue arose even though he had only been eating less than usual for three days and was receiving proper nutritional support through a feeding tube. Despite following the recommended diet for critically ill donkeys, he still experienced symptoms like a sluggish gut and weakness. The low phosphate levels were eventually corrected with an intravenous treatment. This case suggests that there may be more risk factors for refeeding syndrome in donkeys than previously thought, indicating a need for updated nutritional guidelines in their care.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe refeeding syndrome in an equid without a history of recognized risk factors. CASE SUMMARY: Refeeding syndrome with marked hypophosphatemia developed in an aged miniature donkey gelding during treatment of suspected enterocolitis. Hypophosphatemia (manifested clinically as ileus and neuromuscular weakness) developed despite a short (3 day) history of hyporexia, increased body condition (7/9), and adherence to nutritional recommendations for critically ill equids. Nutritional support included nasogastric enteral feeding with a commercial equine nutrition product claiming to provide 100% of the National Research Council's daily recommended protein, vitamin, and mineral requirements for equids. Hypophosphatemia developed despite this enteral supplementation and was ultimately corrected by intravenous administration of sodium phosphate solution. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: This case report suggests that risk factors for refeeding syndrome in equids may be broader than previously recognized. Specifically, critically ill equids at risk for insulin dysregulation may have unique nutritional co-morbidities and requirements. This report highlights the need for both broader recognition of risk factors for refeeding syndrome, and revised best-practice nutritional guidelines and supplementation products to improve equine critical care.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34259376/