ABSTRACT
Foals are born without bacteria in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but colonization begins rapidly with a mature microbial community present by the sixth week of life. The process of foaling exposes the newborn to environmental bacterial from the mare's vagina, feces, and saliva. Nutritional needs of the sick foal depend on several factors including the age of the foal, severity of the illness, and reason for illness, as well as the involvement of other systemic factors. Foals with mild transient illness will continue to nurse and be able to maintain proper caloric intake. Parenteral nutrition is indicated for foals with poor GI function and intolerance to enteral feeding. The goal of parenteral nutrition is to provide enough nutritional support to avoid energy depletion during a phase of disease in which enteral nutrition is not an option or to provide supplemental nutrition when full enteral nutrition cannot be tolerated.
