Exam 1 - Neonatal Equine Colic Flashcards
what are the normal physical parameters for foals?
temp: 99°F-102°F
heart rate: 80-100 bpm for the first 30 days & 60-70 bpm by 2-3 months of age
respiratory rate: 60-80 bpm at birth & quickly fall to 30-40 bpm in the hours following birth
what are some differentials for a foal with colic?
<2 weeks - meconium impaction!!!, ruptured bladder!!!!, enterocolitis!!!!, congenital, ulcers (glandular), hernia, atresia coli, & intussusception
older foals - ascarids (4-6 months old)!!!!!!, enterocolitis, gastric outflow obstruction, SI volvulus, intussusception, hernia, small colon obstruction, & ulcers
what diagnostic modalities are available to assess a foal with colic?
history & physical exam
bloodwork - CBC, chemistry, IgG
gastric decompression
ultrasound
rads
abdominocentesis
gastroscopy
congenital diseases should be considered for foals of what age?
48 hours old or less
if you suspect that a foal has a ruptured urinary bladder based off of fluid analysis of your abdominocentesis, what other test can you run to further confirm your suspicion?
peritoneal fluid creatinine
what is the number one concern for a foal with a ruptured urinary bladder that could kill it?
uroabdomen = hyperkalemia
can cause bradycardia, arrhythmias
stabilization is critical prior to anesthesia
what are some clinical signs associated with colic in foals?
rolling/dead bug, anorexia, abdominal distension, tail flagging, stranguria/tenesmus, & pawing
what may be heard upon abdominal auscultation in a foal with colic?
absent sounds - ileus due to inflammation, obstruction, & ischemia
hypermotility - early enterocolitis
gas-filled pings
what are the 3 most common causes of colic & lethargy in the neonatal foal?
- meconium impaction
- enterocolitis - c. perfringens, salmonella, rotavirus, & coronavirus
- ruptured bladder
what is the most common cause of colic in newborn foals?
meconium impaction
what classical electrolyte derangements should clue you in to a ruptured bladder in a neonatal foal with colic?
HYPERkalemia
HYPOnatremia
HYPOchloremia
peritoneal: peripheral creatinine ratio > 2:1
what electrolyte derangement causes this on ECG?
hyperkalemia - flattened p waves, prolonged PR interval -> p waves disappear & bradycardia occurs
what foals are more at risk for developing a ruptured bladder/uroperitoneum?
1-2 day old large colts & dystocia foals
what are the normal parameters for peritoneal fluid in foals?
color - straw
TNCC - < 2,000 to 5,000
protein - < 2.0
lactate - < 2.0
creatinine - < 2:1 ratio
what is the scary sequelae that can happen in a foal with enterocolitis?
intussusception
what is the importance of an IgG snap test for foals?
helps in determining failure of passive transfer
> 800 = good to go
<400 = fail
what clin-path abnormalities do you expect to see in a foal with a ruptured bladder?
HYPERkalemia, HYPOnatremia, HYPOchloremia, AZOTEMIA
what is the mechanism of hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, & hypochloremia in a foal with a ruptured bladder?
hyperkalemia because body can’t excrete potassium through the urine
uroperitoneum increases total body water & sodium diffuses from the ECF into the retained urine until equimolar concentrations are achieved
because the total amount of body sodium is unchanged, the ECF and serum sodium concentration decrease causing hyponatremia & chloride follows sodium to maintain electroneutrality resulting in hypochloremia
prior to taking a foal to surgery for a ruptured urinary bladder, what is done to stabilize the patient?
do an ECG prior to draining the abdomen
place a urinary catheter
provide IV fluids/diuresis to correct electrolyte imbalances
what medications/treatments are used to drive potassium back into the cells in a foal with a ruptured bladder?
glucose
calcium
bicarbonate
what is the electrolyte balance in mare’s milk?
high in potassium & low in sodium
