Foals Flashcards
what is advised regarding equipment for foal nursing?
prepared as usually come in emergency
most foals born in one period so restock in time for foaling
have all staff familiarised
what is assessed in clinical exam for foals?
every 4-6 hours minimum thoracic auscultations HR RR MM palpation temperature
what is normal foal temperature?
37.5-39 degrees
how are recumbent foals nursed?
sternal recumbency to prevent perfusion compromise intranasal oxygen mechanical ventilation if needed keep clean and warm recumbency care IV catheter care pressor support urinary catheter care monitor hydration
how are foals IV catheters cares for?
sterile placement
wrapped
check for thrombophlebitis
separate port for nutrition and meds
what are pressors used for in foals?
doputamine infusion to increase BP as otherwise can cause organ failure and death
what are reasons for urinary catheter care in foals?
monitor for cystitis
monitor UOP and hydration
renal failure or bladder rupture if not placed
what is normal USG in foals?
1.010
rapidly dehydrate
how is nutrition managed in sick foals?
feeding from mare is best
milk mare regularly checking for mastitis
feed from bowl, bottle risks aspiration pneumonia
indwelling NG tube if wont feed
IV feed if no suck reflex of 5% glucose in isotonic fluid then PPN
how much food should full term sick foals be fed?
5-10% BW per day over small hourly feeds
increase to 20-25% BW in 2 hourly feeds
what are tests to monitor sick foals?
PVC TP glucose white cells creatinine blood gases electrolytes lactate USG
what are features of foaling box?
5x5m good ventilation disinfected warm sheltered bedding
how do you prepare mare antibodies before foaling?
vaccinate for influenza, EHV, rotavirus, tetanus
last tetanus 6 weeks before foaling
what benefit do mare antibodies have on foals?
protect for 6 weeks after birth after drinking colostrum
how can colostrum be provided to foals if cant drink mares?
from another mare
hyperimmune plasma
what are signs of foaling?
when previously foaled
wax on udders
milk electrolyte changes
state average gestation length of mares
320-360 days
what happens in stage 1 foaling?
foal moves into canal
mare becomes restless, sweaty, colic signs
what is stage 2 foaling?
birth
lasts less than 30 minutes
what happens in stage 3 foaling?
placenta expelled in 1-2 hours
what is the risk of retained placenta in mares?
death
infection laminitis
how are horses managed when havent expelled placenta in 2 hours?
walk and oxytocin at 3 hours
aggressive treatment of oxytocin, lavage, walking, antibiotics, antiendotoxins at 6 hours
what is the impact of dystocia in horses?
death
hypoxia
broken ribs
injured mare
how is dystocia managed in horses?
ETT if possible for foal oxygenation
epidural and manual manipulation
C section
what is done before attempting to resuscitate horses?
physical exam as some serious problems mean no attempt made
what is significant about neonatal arrest?
respiratory nearly always before cardiac arrest
always need to provide ventilation
what can cause pulmonary arrest in foals?
premature placental separation twisting of umbilical cord dystocia airway obstruction of foetal membranes failure to breathe on birth lung disease sepsis hypovolaemia metabolic acidosis hyperkalaemia hypoglycaemia hypothermia
what is prognosis of neonatal foals in arrest?
good if start resuscitation before non-perfusing rhythm develops
low if wait until asystole
when do you provide resus to foals?
HR or RR undetectable
limp muscle tone
unresponsive to nasal mucosal stimulation
when do you provide intranasal oxygen to foals?
HR less than 60
irregular HR
slow or irregular RR
grimace on nasal mucosal stimualation
how are foals provided ventilation in resus?
clear airway
place NT or ET tube
ventilate 10brpm with ambu bag or mouth
how are NT tubes placed in foals?
extend head
pass ventral and medial
maximum 2 attempts to place
how are ET tubes place in foals?
pull tongue forwards and lateral
advance over midline of tongue
twist at larynx
check position, cuff and inflate cuff
how can you ventilate foals if cant secure NT or ET tube?
mask
mouth to nose
when is CPR given to foals?
absent heart beat
less than 40bpm
what are considerations before giving CPR to foals?
rib fractures may make CPR fatal but may not have choice
ideally place fractures down
how are compressions performed on foals?
knees parallel to spine
compress caudal to triceps at highest point of thorax
100-120bpm
how are bradycardic foals manages?
epinephrine IV every 3 minutes until over 60bpm
how do you manage foals after resus?
keep warm
IVFT to manage dehydration
manage hypoglycaemia
correct acidaemia
how does failure of passive transfer/FPT happen?
gut open for 24 hours to allow antibodies in
bacteria also goes in so if dont get antibodies at huge sepsis risk
what are the types of FPT?
partial- 400-800mg/dl
total- less than 400mg/dl
what are normal antibody levels in horses from colostrum?
over 800mg/dl
how are foals monitored for FPT?
test all foals 12-24 hours
blood test and ELISA
how is FPT treated?
hyperimmune plasma transfusion
what are considerations when using hyperimmune plasma in foals?
defrost slowly so antibodies not denatured
blood giving set used
start slow and monitor for reaction
retest antibodies after each bag
what is the significance of sepsis in foals?
most common cause of hospitalisation and death
list signs of sepsis in foals
pyrexia depression recumbency joint effusion and lameness non-responsive
what causes sepsis in foals?
born septic
FPT
infected joints and umbilicus
what parameters can be looked at to diagnose sepsis in foals?
blood culture white cell count SNAP test creatinine USG glucose lactate
how is sepsis in foals treated?
broad spectrum antibiotics
plasma
joint lavage or remove umbilicus if thats the cause
intensive care nursing
how are seizures in foals treated?
correct primary cause
maintain airway
oxygen
diazepam or midazolam anticonvulsants
what are causes of dummy foal?
hypoxia in utero or birth
brain or organ damage
what are other names for dummy foal?
hypoxic ischemia
encephalopathy
perinatal asphyxia syndrome
what are signs of dummy foal?
slow swallow not sucking not following mare ataxia seizure apnoea
how is dummy foal treated?
nursing
IVFT for cerebral perfusion
correct metabolic imbalance
PPN
define premature foal
less than 320 days
unlikely to survive if less than 280 days
define dysmature foal
look premature but normal gestation
define postmature foal
long gestation, normal sized but emaciated
describe the appearance of premature or dysmature foals
small silky short hair floppy ears domed head weak abnormal RR immature GI, respiratory and MSK system
what is prognosis for premature foals?
fair but need ICU
what are the types of flexure deformity in foals?
laxity
contracture
affects flexor tendons and ligaments
what causes flexure laxity in foals?
pre, dys or post maturity
bandage or splint complications
how is flexure laxity usually treated in foals?
usually resolve after few days
box rest with limited bedding
firm ground walks 3x daily
bandage to protect heels
what is prognosis for flexure contracture in foals?
depends on severity and number of limbs affected
usually good
how is flexure contracture in foals treated?
physio hard ground walks oxytetracycline for 3 days toe extensions splints
what joints are affected in angular limb deformity in foals?
fetlock
carpus
tarsus
how is angular limb deformity treated in foals?
rest
farriery
surgery before growth plates close
list signs of meconium retention in foals
colic
restlessness
FPT
how is meconium retention in foals treated?
soapy or phosphate enema
acetylcysteine retention enema
buscopan
surgery
how is diarrhoea treated in foals?
correct dehydration, electrolytes, acid bas balance
correct underling infection or cause
how are gastric ulcers in foals treated?
sucralfate to encourage blood supply to stomach wall
prophylactically to all in hospital
what are signs of infected umbilicus in foals?
swelling
pus
how is infected umbilicus diagnosed in foals?
ultrasound
culture
how is infected umbilicus in foals prevented and treated?
dip in chlorhex for first 2 days
antibiotics
surgery
what is presentation of foals with ruptured bladder?
2-3 days old
colic
distended abdomen
how is ruptured bladder in foals diagnosed?
ultrasound
peritoneal sample
high K
bradycardia
how is ruptured foal in bladder treated?
drain abdomen
surgery
what causes neonatal isoerthrolysis in foals?
foal erythrocyte antigen not recognised by mare
antibodies in colostrum attach foal RBCs
list signs of neonatal isoerythrolysis in foals
anaemia
icterus
weakness
how is neonatal isoerythrolysis treated in foals?
with draw colostrum
stop future foals drinking from mare
blood transfusion at PCV less than 12%
what are risks of pneumonia in foals?
FPT
aspiration if bottle fed
list signs of pneumonia in foals
increased RR and effort
pyrexia
death
how is pneumonia in foals diagnosed?
radiography
transtracheal wash
how are foals with pneumonia treated?
antibiotics
oxygen
sternal posture
what are clinical signs of rhodococcus equi in foals?
usually after 6 weeks
pneumonia
septic or immune mediated joint effusion
diarrhoea
how do foals get rhondococcus equi?
suspect infected at birth
environment
contact with infected foals
dams faeces
how is rhondococcus equi in foals diagnosed?
thoracic radiograph for abscesses tracheal wash cytology, culture, sensitivity joint fluid sample high WBC high fibrinogen
how is rhondococcus equi treated in foals?
clarithromycin
rifampicin
treated until radiographs and blood normal, usually 6 weeks
joint lavage
how can rhondococcus equi be prevented in foals?
environmental management
rhondococcus hyperimmune plasma
no antibiotics at birth
