Retrospective evaluation of the use of parenteral nutrition in hospitalized nondomestic ruminants.

Abstract

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is one method of providing nutrient support to hospitalized, nondomestic ruminants that have a decreased appetite in hospital or have high metabolic demands caused by illness.... All animals included were greater than 6 mo of age. This age criterion was selected to ensure animals had a fully functioning rumen. Eighteen were female (75%) and six (25%) were male. Eight were pregnant at the time of hospitalization, and three were lactating with a nursing calf at their side. Species included southern gerenuk (Litocranius walleri walleri, n = 3), Thomson's gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii, n = 3), Zambesi lechwe (Kobus leche leche, n = 2), East African sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii, n = 2), western tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus cephalophus, n = 2), eastern bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci, n = 2), Transcaspian urial (Ovis orientalis arkal, n = 1), South African greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros strepsiceros, n = 1), Nubian Soemmerring's gazelle (Nanger soemmerringii soemmerringii, n = 1), slender-horned gazelle (Gazella leptoceros, n = 1), Sudan barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia blainei, n = 1), Nile lechwe (Kobus megaceros, n = 1), Grant's gazelle (Nanger granti, n = 1), scimitar horned oryx (Oryx dammah, n = 1), South African springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis marsupialis, n = 1), and yellow-backed duiker (Cephalophus silvicultor, n = 1).