Equine common neonatal pathologies Flashcards
Define premature
Foal born at less than 320 days that display immature physical characteristics
Main cause of death for premature foals
Incomplete maturation of hypothalamus-pituitary adrenal axis. Affects organ maturation
Placental problems of premature foals
Twins, placentitis, premature placental seperation
Fetal problems of premature foals
Fetal sepsis, malformation, hydroallantois
Iatrogenic problems of premature foals
Early induction
Early C section
Treatment for incomplete ossification of the cuboidal bones
Grade 1-4
Reduce time standing and activity
Full limb bandages
Prognosis of premature foals without sepsis
80-85% survival
3 common neonatal foal problems
- Failure of passive transfer
- Dummy foal syndrome
- Sepsis
Normal level of igG >12hrs
> 800mg/dl
Partial and complete failure of passive transfer
Partial: 400-800
Complete FPT: <400
Why foals need colustrum more than other species
igG molecules cannot pass through placenta
Treatment for premature foal <12 hr
1.5l colustrum in first 6 hours
Treatment for premature foal >12 hr
IV transfusion equine plasma
1-4l of plasma based on blood level igG
When is the best time to check foal igG
6-12 hrs of age if has not been drinking
18-24 hrs
What is a common reason for failure of passive transfer
Mare has placentitis
What is dummy foal syndrome
Perinatal asphyxia syndrome
Combination of biochemical and physiologic events
Clinical signs of dummy foal syndrome
‘Dumb’ behaviour
Inappropriate nursing behaviour
Loss of recognition
Seizures
Treatment for dummy foal syndrome
Supportive/Address multiple organ system
Severe case require intensive care
Why bottle feeding foal is not advised
Aspiration pneumonia
Outline nutrition for foals
Gradually increase to provide 20% of body weight per day
Feed by NGT/Bucket
Frequent feeds every 1 hr
Prognosis of dummy foal
70-75%
Recover normally usually
What is the madigan foal squeeze
Mimics neural reflex that occurs transition at parurition
May help with ‘turning off’ Pregnenolone
Number 1 cause of death in foals
Sepsis
Sepsis is most commonly caused by gram neg and pos?
Mostly gram neg
Clinical signs of sepsis
Fever/hypo or hypethermic
Petechia, ecchymoses
Dehydrated
Hypoglycaemic
Corneal ulcer etc
Diagnosis of sepsis
History: Risk factors
Clinical signs
Lab: Blood culture, CBC, IgG
System specific samples
Ultrasound
How does sepsis score work
score of 12 or higher predicts sepsis 93%
Treatment for sepsis
Hospital setting recommended
Antibiotics, broad spectrum, IV
Iv fluids
IgG
Oxygen
Nutrition
How to determine if foal is hypovolaemic
Not nursing >4hrs assume hypov
Infusion therapy foal rate
100ml/kg/day