Equine neonatal care Flashcards

1
Q

How are foals different to horses?

A
Low fat reserves 
prone to hypoglycemia 
prone to hypothermia
Body water content high
susceptible to septicaemia
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2
Q

What should be included in the foal crash trolley?

A
Syringes 
needles 
blood tubes
stomach tube 
defibrillator 
oxygen 
Glucose monitor
Hibi scrub/ spirit 
catheter kit
feeding tube 
fluids 
clippers
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3
Q

What is normal for a foal post parturition?

A
Sternal 2-3 minutes
suckle reflex 30 minutes 
standing 60 minutes
standing and suckling 2 hours 
active/playful, 6-7 hours
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4
Q

Normal TPR for a foal

A

Temperature; 37.2-38.9
Respiratory 30-40 bpm
Heart rate: 40-80 first born
80-100 within the first week of life

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5
Q

What should you include in the neonatal physical exam?

A

Suckle reflex present?
Umbilical cord wound (discharge/infection)
Eyes
MM, coronary bands pinnae ears (colour changes)
Oral cavity (cleft palate, white patches, Jaw abnormalities)
Nostrils (milk)
Thorax (presence rib fractures)
Abdomen (distension hernias, gut sounds)
Joints and limbs (Swelling normal ROM)
Extremities (pulse temperature)
Urine (output)
Meconium ( has it passed)
Genitals

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6
Q

What are the signs of an abnormal foal?

A
Lower head carriage 
droopy ears
sleeping standing
milk splashes on face 
wet patches on coat
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7
Q

What are the common conditions seen within the foal?

A

Sepsis
Neonatal maladjustment syndrome
lac of appropriate maturity

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8
Q

What is the definition for foal prematurity?

A

Born 320 days before gestation

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9
Q

What is the definition of dysmature foals?

A

intra-uterine growth retardation

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10
Q

What are post-mature foals?

A

experienced poor placental function
acceptable birth weight
but are thin and lanky

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11
Q

What does nursing care of the foal include?

A
Monitoring parameters
Fluid therapy 
respiratory support
maintenance body temperature
nutritional support
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12
Q

What are the most important point to consider in the recumbent foal?

A
Pressure sores turn every 2 hours 
Padding 
Keep in sternal 
Physio 
Bedding well padded and dry 
Keep warm 
encourage to stand
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13
Q

What should be monitored regularly in the foal?

A
MM, TPR, gut sounds< CRT
Faecal and urine output 
IV catheter 
Blood pressure
Second opinion
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14
Q

What can happen in foals undergoing fluid therapy?

A
Hypovolaemia
Hypoglycemia
Electrolyte disturbance
Monitor rates 
urine out put 
pcv ts
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15
Q

Why may foals require oxygen therapy and how should it be monitored?

A
septicaemia 
neonatal maladjustment syndrome 
premature 
pneumonia 
cardiac abnormalities 
(all predispose foal to hypoxia) 
Blood gas 
intranasal canula 
humidifier
2-10L/min
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16
Q

What is the daily resting energy requirement for a foal?

A

45kcal/kg/day

17
Q

What should you check before entral feeding a foal?

A

Gastric reflux
intestinal sounds
abdominal distention
quantity of faeces

18
Q

How is parental nutrition achieved in the foal?

A
5% glucose spiked in isotonic fluids 
Total parental nutrition 
Partial parental nutrition
Aseptic 
constant glucose monitoring
19
Q

What are the signs of a neurological foal?

A
No suckling reflex 
ataxic 
disinterest in mare
apnea 
seizures
20
Q

What are the signs of seizures in teh foal?

A
Star gazing 
stiffness 
stretching 
muscle tremors
head wandering 
hypersensitive to light/sound 
facial grimacing 
convulsions
21
Q

What is failure of passive transfer?

A

Do not receive enough antibodies through mares colostrum

IgG<4 IgG should be above 8g/L

22
Q

What are the causes of failure of passive transfer?

A

Production failure
quality failure
ingestion/absorption failure
assess for the first 24 hours

23
Q

How is failure of passive transfer treated?

A

NG tube colostrum within 2-6 hours of birth

intravenous plasma 12 to 18 hours old

24
Q

What should be monitored whilst administering plasma in the foal?

A
Tachypnoea
Tachycardia
Fever
Muscle tremors 
Hives
25
Q

What are the signs of meconium impaction?

A
Abdominal discomfort 
decreased suckling 
depression 
posturing to defecate
straining 
rolling 
usually occurs first few hours of life
26
Q

What is the nursing care fro meconium impaction?

A

Enema (warm soapy water or retention enema)

27
Q

What equipment do you need to collect for a foal enema?

A

Warm water
foley catheter
mild detergent
lubrication

28
Q

When are foals most at risk of needing CPR?

A
Dystocia
C-section 
Premature delivery 
Premature placental separation 
septick shock