Ex 3 - Neonatology

Question 1

Non-infectious vs Infectious Calf problems

Answer 1

Non-infectious:

• poor adaption
• metabolic/physiologic

Infectious:

• localized/superficial
• focal/inflammatory
• septicemic

Question 2

When a calf is lost <2days old

Answer 2

Typically non-infectious

• assoc’d with physiologic derangements –> birthing trauma, difficult postnatal adaptation

Question 3

When a calf is lost >3 days old

Answer 3

Likely infectious in nature

*potential physiologic problems that don’t kill the calf may predispose to infectious problems

Question 4

Name a few differentials for cold calf

Answer 4

Hypoglycemic, hypoxemic, or unable to stand

hypoglycemic and hypoxemic calves can’t shiver!

Question 5

Lots of physiologic changes must occur to transition neonate to extrauterine life

Answer 5

• multiple organs systems need to change quickly
• ventilation –> lung expansion
• physical/muscular activity –> standing inc body heat
• CV fxn
• Calves are born with 1L fluid deficit!! ==> calf needs to suckle quickly

Question 6

What type of fat is more present in neonates?

Answer 6

brown fat –> heat production

• highly vascularized
• if circulation is poor –> this mechanism is lost

Question 7

Neonates have great resilience and compensatory capacity to survive birthing experience

Answer 7

• transient hypoxia/ischemia
• milk mixed resp and metabolic acidosis
• mild hypoxemia
• lactic acidosis

Question 8

What is considered the neonatal period?

Answer 8

first 3 weeks of life

Question 9

What are some things normal newborns should be doing after birth?

Answer 9

• standing w/in 1 hr
• body temp maintenance (101-102)
• active suckling
• good mothering
• attentive, responsive, active neonatal behavior

Question 10

What do you measure to quantify calf risk?

Answer 10

1. Time to stand

2. Time to suckle

Question 11

What is the #1 cause of neonatal adaptation/survival issues?

Answer 11

Dystocia

Question 12

What is considered a premature birth?

Answer 12

born more than 1 week before due date

*unusal in vet med –> we cull animals that have premature babies or birthing issues

Question 13

Normal TPR - Calves immediately postpartum

Answer 13

T: 102.5-104
P: 165-205
R: 45-65

Question 14

Neonatal assistance

Answer 14

Pretty straightforward: (assist with…)

• ventilation
• thermoregulation
• blood volume/circulation
• nutrition

Question 15

How much colostrum should be ingested?

Answer 15

2 L