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Suspected primary lactose intolerance in neonatal foals
Author(s) -
Roberts V. L. H.,
Knottenbelt D. C.,
Williams A.,
McKane S. A.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
equine veterinary education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.304
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 2042-3292
pISSN - 0957-7734
DOI - 10.2746/095777308x303594
Subject(s) - lactase , lactose intolerance , medicine , failure to thrive , lactose , lethargy , abdominal distension , diarrhea , gastroenterology , endocrinology , physiology , food science , biology
Summary The intestine of neonatal mammals must be able to secrete lactase enzyme to hydrolyse lactose in its mother's milk. Failure to secrete lactase results in failure to digest lactose. This results in osmotic diarrhoea, weight loss, failure to thrive, lethargy, colic and abdominal distension. Lactose intolerance may occur secondarily to intestinal bacterial infection. Primary lactose intolerance is recognised in human infants. Here we report 2 cases of suspected primary lactose intolerance in foals. The foals responded well to oral administration of exogenous lactase enzyme.