Maintenance fluid therapy is challenging in horses that cannot drink or are denied feed and water because of concerns about gastrointestinal tract function and patency. Intravenous fluid delivery to meet water needs based on current recommendations for maintenance requirements were obtained in fed horses and therefore might not apply to horses that are not being fed. This is a critical flaw because of the interdependence between intestinal tract water and extracellular water to support digestion while preserving water balance, a concept explained by the enterosystemic cycle. Because horses drink less when they are not eating and hence have lower water needs than fed horses, maintenance water requirements need to be adjusted accordingly. This article reviews this topic and identifies benefits of adjusting maintenance fluid therapy to meet lower demands from gastrointestinal function, such as reduced volumes, lower cost, avoidance of overhydration.

对于不能饮水或拒绝进食和饮水的马，由于担心胃肠道功能和通畅性，维持性液体疗法具有挑战性。根据当前对养护要求的建议，静脉输液可满足水需求，这是在饲喂的马匹中获得的，因此可能不适用于未饲喂的马匹。这是一个严重的缺陷，因为肠道水和细胞外水之间相互依存，可以在维持水平衡的同时支持消化，这是肠道系统循环所解释的概念。由于马不进食时饮水较少，因此饮水量要比饲喂马低，因此需要相应地调整维持用水量。