In addition, as the body uses vast amounts of energy and protein stores, a significant amount of weight could be lost if the daily caloric and protein intake is not sufficient. An important note here is that the body really is not that discriminant when mobilizing carbohydrates, fat, and protein. The substances come from all available sources. Total parenteral nutrition was used to support this mare, which had acute proximal enteritis, an inflammatory disease affecting the upper gastrointestinal system. The cause is unknown.
Proximal enteritis causes a distension of the stomach with fluid backed up from the small intestine.
There usually is a continual need to drain this fluid build-up via a nasogastric tube and prohibit the ingestion of food or water. The condition required the mare to be totally food restricted for 13 days and severely food restricted for another seven. Total parenteral nutrition was used without complication, and it is thought to have significantly aided in her recovery. Fluid therapy consisted of a balanced electrolyte solution with daily adjustments in content based on acid base and electrolyte evaluation of the mare's blood. The mare was evaluated every two hours and refluxed via an indwelling nasogastric tube every two to four hours.