Equine Starvation - Refeeding Syndrome

[SandyMM]

Click on link for an excellent article (http://www.starvinghorses.com/Refeedingsyndrome.html) from UC Davis concerning the Refeeding Syndrome.

Please take time to read this article if you are considering rescuing a horse known to be in less than optimum condition or one that is known to be suffering from starvation. It would be a shame to rescue a horse only to lose it due to misguided feeding practices..."...as with humans, starvation and the subsequent abrupt, and improper, re-feeding of a horse can result in a dysfunction in the animal’s metabolic system and their electrolyte balance. Additionally, problems including fluid overload and thiamine deficiency may also occur. These dysfunctionscan cause the heart, kidney and lungs to fail - resulting in death, usually 3 to 5 days after the first feeding."Article includes very logical information re:


difference between 'just' a thin horse and a starving horse
physiological changes as a result of starvation
what _not_ to feed
what/how/how often to feed
prognosis for recovery
exceptions to recovery (permanent developmental problems)

[pnalley]

I haven't had time to read the article yet, but I know the dept of Ag only feeds oats & alfalfa. I think they said if the horse has bad teeth they would use a Senior feed.

Any one that would allow an animal to starve needs to have an ice pick shoved up their nose, and I volunteer to provide the ice pick:mad2:

[SandyMM]

UC Davis recommends alfalfa only - no additional carbohydrates/supplements in the first two weeks to avoid the refeeding syndrome which can cause death in 3-5 days of initial ingestion of high carbohydrates due to electrolyte imbalances and insulin spikes which can cause major organ failure.

Within 10 days to 2 weeks grain can be safely added in small amounts.

A lot depends upon how badly/how long horse has been starved or has been (involuntarily) 'fasting'....

A lot of rescue facilities take donations and may have to feed based on availability, but UC Davis's recommendations seem pretty logical to me...

[Terry Wallace]

I have rehabed a lot of emaciated horses. Everyone of them got a handful of grain (or senior feed, depending on age) and alfalfa hay from day one.
None of them ever got this "refeeding syndrome".

The key (IMO) is not to overfeed "ever". To use some common sense, and to make sure they drink plenty of water.
JMO

Here lately..as far as metabolic syndromes go...I've seen more I/R in fat Paso mares. Big cresty necks, big bubble butts, overfed every day with little or no exercise...having lamenitic episodes...very hard to convince the owners the mares are too fat...as in WAY too fat.
A "killing with kindness" one might say.
Just some observations of the past three weeks here.

Common sense in feeding "goes both ways";)

[SandyMM]

Refeeding syndrome affects not only horses, but also humans. There were concentration camp survivors who died as a result of organ shutdown due to abrupt changes in their diet immediately after rescue.