Parenteral nutrition in healthy dogs: comparison of fat versus glucose as main energy sources

Two groups of 5 adult Beagles were infused with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions containing either fat or glucose as main energy source (pro viding 61 or 62.3% of total energy). TPN volume was calculated to meet the energy and protein requirements for maintenance and infused in 10 hours ove r 9 days. Both solutions were tolerated without clinical signs of intoleran ce, despite the short, infusion periods. Blood counts were in the normal cl inical range, bur lymphocytes and eosinophils increased during the study. P lasma glucose and triglycerides increased during the infusions depending on the composition of the TPN admixtures, other biochemical variables in the plasma were not clearly affected, although a tendency to hypokalemia and hy pophosphatemia was noted. It can be concluded that infusion periods of 10 h ours are tolerated by healthy dogs without signs of intolerance; extensive clinical evaluations are the subject of further research.