Equine Neonatal Flashcards
how long should stage 1 of foaling last?
30-60 minutes
what signs are seen during stage 1 of foaling?
restlessness
coliky
what happens during stage 1 of foaling?
cervix relaxation
uterine contractions
what happens at the end of stage 1 of foaling?
rupture of chorioallantois (waters break)
how long does stage 2 of foaling last?
5-30 mins
what should happen during stage 2 of foaling?
delivery of foal
what is critical about stage 2 of foaling?
must not be longer than 30 mins
how long does stage 3 of foaling last?
2-3 hours
what happens during stage 3 of foaling?
placental (foetal membranes) expelled
what is necessary if stage 3 of foaling is delayed?
assistance
how soon after birth should foals be standing?
1 hour - may be a little wobbly
how long after birth should foals suckle?
within 2 hours - may take time to find udder
what should be checked for once foals start to feed?
milk at nostrils
how soon after birth should foals pass meconium?
within 3 hours
how soon after birth should foals urinate?
8-12 hours
what may effect how quickly foals urinate after birth?
colts may urinate earlier than fillies
how do healthy foals sleep?
legs extended in lateral
is foals sleeping with limbs curled up normal?
no - indicates something is wrong
what would be heard on lung auscultation of foals immediately after birth?
audible crackles
what RR is seen in newborn foals?
50-80 brpm
when will foals respiratory parameters get closer to normal?
within 2-3 hours of birth
what may be seen at foals nostrils immediately following birth?
mild nasal discharge
what is the normal HR for foals up to 7 days old?
80-100 bpm
what is the normal RR for foals up to 7 days old?
30-40 brpm
what is the normal temperature for foals up to 7 days old?
37.5-39.5 degrees C
what do normal MM look like for foals up to 7 days old?
pink and moist
what is the normal PQ for foals up to 7 days old?
good
warm extremities
what is the normal BP for foals up to 7 days old?
> 70 mmHg
how much colostrum do foals require in the first 24 hours?
1L
how much on average will a foal drink per day?
20-30% of body weight
how many calories do foals require per day?
100-160 kCal/kg/day
what is essential about colostrum?
contains antibodies from the mares blood which are absorbed by the foals gut
what is passive transfer?
antibodies from the mares blood which are absorbed by the foals gut through colostrum
how long does passive transfer last for?
12-24 hours after birth
what is the concentration of foals urine like?
very dilute
what can go wrong during birth?
trauma during birth
congenital abnormalities
acquired abnormalities
failure of passive transfer
what can cause trauma during birth?
dystocia
what trauma to the foal is commonly seen following dystocia?
rib fractures
what are some of the congenital abnormalities seen in foals?
cleft palate
microphthalmia
limb deformities
what acquired abnormalities may be seen in foals?
patent urachus
how can patent urachus be identified?
urine from umbilicus on urination
what can cause failure of passive transfer?
foal unable to drink
quality or quantity of colostrum poor
what is sepsis usually caused by?
failure of passive transfer
infection (usually umbilicus)
what is sepsis?
inflammatory response to systemic bacteria
what are the clinical signs of sepsis?
pyrexia
petechiae
injected MM
dull/flat
recumbent
what may be seen with concurrently with sepsis?
uveitis
synovial sepsis
diarrhoea
pneumonia
umbilical infection
what is the most common reason for diarrhoea in foals?
sepsis
what effect does sepsis have on BP?
hypotension
what are the signs of neonatal isoerythrolysis?
anaemia
icterus
weakness
what happens during neonatal isoerythrolysis?
mare produces antibodies against foals RBCs
foal absorbs colostrum and so has antibodies against own RBCs
own RBCs are then broken down by these antibodies
what can cause a mare to produce antibodies against the foals RBCs?
previous foal with the same sire
contact with foal RBC during delivary
how is neonatal isoerythrolysis treated?
separate nutrition from the mare until no more antibodies will be absorbed (24hours after birth)
supportive care until own RBC regenerate
what is neonatal maladjustment syndrome also known as?
hypoxaemic ischemia encephalopathy
perinatal asphyxia syndrome
dummy foal
what body system is mostly affected by neonatal maladjustment syndrome?
neuro
what is the clinical presentation of neonatal maladjustment syndrome?
variable
poor suck reflex
failure to nurse
hyperaesthesia
obtundation
coma
when will signs of neonatal maladjustment syndrome be seen?
abnormal from birth
may be normal from birth and then crash at 24-48 hours
how is neonatal maladjustment syndrome treated?
supportive care
foal squeeze (limited evidence)
what makes a foal premature?
<320 days gestation
what makes a foal dysmature?
normal gestation but appear premature
what are the signs of premature and dysmature foals?
silky coat
floppy ears
lax tendons
domed head
immaturity of other organs
incomplete ossification of cuboidal bones
why are cuboidal bones most affected by prematurity/dysmaturity?
last to mature
how can premature/dysmature foals be managed?
x-ray to assess cuboidal bones
foal kept in recumbancy to preserve bones
what can happen in premature/dysmature foals with incomplete ossification of cuboidal bones?
bones crushed when weightbearing
what can cause a ruptured bladder in foals?
trauma during birth
handling under the abdomen
when are clinical signs of bladder rupture seen?
afew days after birth
what are the signs of ruptured bladder?
colic
abdominal distension
why is a ruptured bladder life threatening?
electrolyte abnormalities caused
what electrolyte abnormalities are caused by bladder rupture?
hyperkalaemia
hyponatraemia
hypochloramia
how should foals be moved?
using stifles and forelimbs
never from abdomen
how soon after birth is meconium passed?
within 3 hours
what are the clinical signs of meconium impaction?
straining to defecate
mild colic
what may foals with meconium be referred to hospital for?
IVFT
management
what are the roles of the NICU nurse?
patient care
provide for foals needs
stay organised
keep foal unit cleaned and stocked
communication with team
care for mare
what is involved in the general nursing care of foals in the NICU?
maintain sternal recumbency
assist to stand
turn every 2 hours
weigh daily
careful exam
why should foals stay in sternal recumbency?
prone to atelectasis and so reduced oxygenation
how often should foals be assisted to stand?
every 2 hours to nurse
why is it important that foals are turned every 2 hours?
prevention of decubital ulcers
what is involved in the NICU exam?
demenour compared to last check
nose to tail
assess treatments
nutrition needs
urine and faecal output
how may foals urine output be managed?
U cath (preventio of scauld)
how often should sick foals be examined?
every 4 hours but may be every 2