Ch 21 Neonatal care of the puppy, kitten and foal Flashcards
What is the neonatal period?
it is when puppies and kittens are dependent on the bitch or queen for survival (nutrition, warmth, and care) - the first two to four weeks
When taking the history of a puppy or kitten, what must be included?
- # of ill animals in household,
- method by which they are raised,
- their normal environment,
- the behavior of each puppy or kitten within
the litter, - body weight curves,
- duration and types of clinical signs,
- medications given
The queen’s or bitch’s history should include?
- vaccination dates
- estrous cycle (interval and duration)
- breeding practice
- medications or supplements given during
pregnancy - problems during pregnancy or birth
- if there are disorders, have they been seen
in other litters or in any of the relatives
-
What temperature can a neonate have during the first 2 weeks of life?
can be lower than 94 degrees Fahrenheit (34.4 degrees Celsius)
Can neonates regulate their body temperature during the first 2 weeks of life?
No - they should be evaluated on a warm, clean surface
What must you do to evaluate the hydration status of a neonate?
oral mucous membranes must be examined and not skin turgor
Moist mucous membranes are present in an adequate state of hydration.
Lack of hair or sparse hair coat may indicate what?
genetic abnormality of the skin or premature birth
What is an indication of a neonate in distress?
bluish or dark-red discoloration (cyanosis or sepsis, respectively)
Observing discharge from any orifice is abnormal in the neonate, other than urine and feces. T or F
T
During an examination in a neonate what are things to check?
- head, body, limbs, and tail are examined for
symmetry - head is examined for open fontanelles, cleft
palate, bulging eyes from behind closed
eyelids (infection behind closed eyelids) - formation of the nose and external ears.
- look for flattening or malformation s of the chest
- bulges in the neck area are abnormal
- abdomen and urachus are examined for defects of the abdominal wall and ventral urine scalding, ventral closure defects, and a persistent urachus
- gentials and the anus are checked for patency
- tail is examined for muscle tone, length, curliness, and kinks
Neonatal puppies are mildly pudgy and neonatal kittens are generally on the lean side. T or F
T
Neither should be bloated
What is urachus?
an embryonic tube that connects the fetal bladder to the allantoic sac. Normally, the urachus atrophies and is non-functional at birth.
What is ventral urine scalding?
an example would be cannibalism as a result of an overzealous mother
How do you check for patency in genitals and anus in neonate?
stimulate urination and defecation by using a moistened cotton ball
The presence of hair coat anomalies over the dorsum in a neonate may indicate what?
the presence of spina bifida
What special care should neonates receive when examining them?
use a exam room in which no other animals with infectious diseases were recently present, freshly washed - clean towels and blankets. Wear examination gloves
How often does a neonate nurse?
for a short time every 2 to 4 hours
What motor skills are present at birth?
crawling, suckling, and distress vocalization
True or False
The queen or bitch initiates urination and defecation by licking the urogenital area.
True
How old is a kitten or puppy when it can lift its head?
3 days
When can a puppy or kitten crawl in a coordinated manner?
1 week
T or F Puppies and kittens are unable to maintain their body temperature during the first few days of life.
T
Body temperature in a neonate is?
Body temperature at birth (94.5 °F to 97.3°F [35.5°C to 36. 3°C] – Rises to 94.7°F to 100.1°F [34.8°C to 38.3°C] during first week of life
Heart and respiratory rates may be irregular at birth but are?
Pulse = 160 - 200 beats/minute Respiratory = 10 to 20 breaths per minute respiration has no abdominal component
