Intragastric pH of foals admitted to the intensive care unit

Background Intragastric pH profiles of neonatal foals admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) remain poorly characterized. Hypothesis/Objectives To determine intragastric pH profiles and clinical parameters associated with intragastric pH in foals admitted to the ICU. Animals Forty‐two neonatal foals admitted to the ICU and requiring placement of an indwelling nasogastric tube for nutritional management were included. Methods Intragastric pH was measured for 24 hours from the time of admission. Mean pH, % time pH 4 were determined for each foal. History, clinical findings, and clinicopathological data recorded at the time of presentation were collected. Results The mean pH of included foals was 5.5 ± 1.8. The median % time pH 4 for >80% of the recording time. This study does not support the indiscriminate administration of acid suppressive treatment.