How much energy do sick neonatal foals require compared with healthy foals?

Abstract

The daily energy (E) balance of 6 healthy and 5 sick foals was measured on days 2, 4 and 7 post partum. The mean gross energy intake (cE) of the healthy foals increased from 29.7 MJ d r (day 2) to 32.8 MJ d 1 (day 7). Metabollsable energy (ME) was behveen 97 and 99% GE Energy expend ture averaged 15.2, 16.7 and 19.0 MJ d 1 on days 2, 4 and 7 post partum, respectively. The healthy foals were in positive E balance and their mean body mass increased. For the sick foals, GE intake and E expenditure were low {mean 7.2 MJ d I and 10.6 MJ d r, respectlvely) and l\4E was between 90 and 9970 GE. Despite therr low rates of metabolism, the sick foals were ln negative E balance and they consumed insufficient energy to meet metabolic demand.