Gastric Acid in the Newborn Foal: Profiles and Responses to H2-Receptor Antagonismin Health and Disease

Intragastric pH profiles in sick newborn foals often differ from those seen in healthy animals. Within the population of diseased foals, there exists wide variation in profile, related primarily to type and severity of illness. The increase in intragastric pH after H2 receptor antagonism (ranitidine, 2.0 mg/kg IV) was predictable in healthy animals but was inconsistent in many diseased foals. Ingestion of milk resulted in a substantial increase in intragastric pH in most foals. Author’s address: Island Whirl Equine Colic Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Box 100136, Gainesville, FL 32610. r 1999 AAEP.