Care and Management of Neonates Flashcards
Define neonate
new born animal - characterised by complete dependence on dam/queen etc
How should you cut the umbilical cord and how far away from the neonate should you cut?
- ideally tear rather than cut
- use forceps either side to prevent bleeding
- 3 cm from body
How can you manually stimulate breathing?
rub vigorously with a towel
What is the normal respiratory rate for a neonate?
15 - 40 breaths per minute
What neonate defects do we look out for?
cleft palate hare lip imperforate anus hydrocephalus limb deformaties cerebellar hypoplasia umbilical and inguinal hernias heart problems e.g. patent ductus arteriosis over/under shot jaw
What details should we record?
sex weight natural markings presence of dew claws any congenital abnormalities
What are the characteristics of neonates?
poor immune system porr thermoregulatory system unable to stand until 10days eyes don't open until 10-14days cornea may be cloudy strabismus may be present ears don't open until approx 2 weeks require stimulation to eliminate up to 2-3weeks old
Define altricial
reliant on the mother
What species produce precocious offspring?
guinea pigs
chinchillas
snakes
Why would it be beneficial for a neonate to have a stimulating environment?
- helps with socialisation
- neophobic - things that cause fear in neonates
- helps to ensure cats can be handled appropriately
What temperature should neonates be kept at?
1st week - 26 - 29oc
2nd week - 21 - 26oc
up to weaning - 21oc
Why must we supply artificial heat for neonates?
they cannot thermoregulate
What can we use to keep neonates warm in hospitals?
head pads/beanies
incubator
bear hugger
plenty of bedding
Why is is important to reunite mother and neonate as soon as possible?
- pup needs the colostrum which is rich in antibodies and is absorbed by the GI tract within the first 24hrs of life
- after this time the GI tract ceases to absorb antibodies(different ones absorbed and different times)
- they should get colostrum within the 1st 8 hours
In what situations will a neonate need hand rearing?
sick dam death of dam large litter if dam has no interest in litter - always reattempt to reunite dam has no milk
What sorts of things do we need to consider when planning hand rear neonates in practice?
obs environment housing cleaning protection (feeding/fluids - every 2-3/4hrs for 1st 5 days -- then every 4hours after day 5) -eliminations -preventative tx (fleas and worms)
What equipment is needing to hand rear neonates?
apron/gloves
puppy/kitten formula NOT COWS MILK
feeding bottles
syringe/teats
What technique would you use to administer the feed to a neonate?
- wear gloves and apron
- hold in natural position
- ensure all equipment is clean (low immunity)
- feed according to feeding chart but only has much as the neonate wants to eat
- observe to ensure the neonate is swallowing
What is the risk if a neonate doesn’t swallow the food?
aspiration pneumonia
When can neonates be weaned onto solid foods?
around 2.5 weeks, complete by around week 5
Whats sorts of foods are suitable to wean pups onto?
palatable foods
soft consistency
high energy/high calorie density
How would you stimulate elimination?
rub damp cotton wool after each feed on the prepuce/vaginal area and the anal area (use different pieces for each)
What are some neonatal post partum complications?
fading puppy/kitten syndrome
neonatal septicaemia
neonatal viral infection
How long is a foal a neonate for?
up to 4 weeks
In an equine practice what would they apply to the umbilicus that we wouldn’t in a small animal practice?
disinfectant
What reflexes should a foal show a few moments after birth?
the righting reflex and the suck reflex
When should the foal be suckling from the mare?
within 3hrs of birth
How often will a foal suckle?
5 - 7 times per hour
When do foals start producing urine?
colts - 6-8hrs
filly’s - 8-11hrs
When will solid foods start contributing to a foals diet?
2 - 3 months
When are foals weaned?
6 months
Is it better to foster or hand rear a foal?
foster as hand reared foals can get behavioural problems and you want to avoid humanisation of the foal otherwise there will be abnormal behaviour patterns
How much milk must a healthy foal consume in the first 2 days?
5 - 7 litres
When can an orphan foal be creep fed and when can it be weaned?
creep from 1 week old
weaned from 3 months
When should a foal have a farrier look at their hooves?
2-5weeks
What medications should we use for foals for wormers?
ivermectin can be used every 4- 6weeks
moxidectin shouldn’t be given to foals under 6 months old
weanlings should be given a double dose of pyrantel in the autumn for tapeworm
paddock management will also help with worms
When should a tetanus vaccination be carried out on the foal?
should be given to mare 4-6weeks prior to foaling
- if the mare wasn’t vaccination then the foal needs to be given a prophylactic tetanus antitoxin soon after birth
When should a foal be given the influenza vaccine?
7-8months
