Neonatal Management Flashcards
When the neonate is born, what should be done first?
make sure it is breathing
- get them sternal and use straw to agitate their nasal mucosa
- devices - hold off esophagus on the L to avoid air from getting in the gut
- CPR
- slinging - aspiration
- O2 - nasal tube with oxygen at a rate of 5-10 L/min
- Dopram - breathing stimulant, IV, IM, SQ, sublingual
Do calves need to be dried off once they’re born?
not typically, only if hypothermic or in poor conditions
- want to let cow and calf bond –> can get rid of dam scent, leading to rejection
What are 4 signs of premature birth?
- short hair coat
- teeth not fully erupted
- small - relative to normal size of other calves at the farm
- breathing issues - immature lungs and lack of surfactant
What treatment is recommended in cases of premature birth?
- Dexamethasone (immature lungs)
- collect and administer surfactant via the trachea
- feed via nasogastric tube (typically have a poor suckle)
consider expense and prognosis
In what ruminants is premature birth most common?
calves
- not common in small ruminants
In what 4 ways is the udder prepped after birth? In what species is this necessary?
- crutch - shear the rear to make it easier to clean and access
- make sure the gland is functional
- maker sure neonate is able to nurse
- open up teats - milk each teat to remove the waxy plug that develops
small ruminants –> not needed in cattle
When does edema in neonates most commonly occur? What does this commonly lead to? What treatment is recommended?
- head presented, but one or both legs are back
- both feet presented with the head
edema of head and tongue
- most resolve uneventfully, tell farmer of possible inability to nurse due to tongue edema
- diuretics (Lasix)
How much do calves, lambs, kids, and crias typically weigh?
50-80 lbs
5-14 lbs (single tends to be heavier)
2-12 lbs (consider pigmies vs Boers)
LLAMAS = 18-35 lbs
ALPACAS = 12-20 lbs
When do calves typically get on their feet? Lambs and kids?
30 min to an 1 hour following birth
within 30 mins
When do calves and other small ruminants nurse?
shortly after getting to their feet
How does suckling in camels compare to small animals?
short episodes (<30 s), up to 3-4 times/hr
- higher frequency or longer suckling indicative of hard bag
In what species is navel dipping not done? How is it performed?
beef cattle –> out on pasture, separate themselves from herd at parturtition
dip navel 1-3 times within tincture of iodine or Novalsan (sprays not used, may not cover entirety of surface)
How can you tell if a neonate has properly nursed?
- milk on muzzle or around the mouth
- weight gain is nostived
- neonate is active
- check dam’s udder - full vs slack
- does NOT nurse excessively
If colostrum must be fed, how much is recommended in calves, crias, and lambs/kids?
IN GENERAL - 10-15% BW, more better than none
CALVES - beef = 2 quarts, dairy = 1 gallon (10-15% BW)
CRIAS = 10-20% BW
LAMBS/KIDS = 10% BW
Over what period of time should the total amount of colostrum be given to a neonate?
the sooner the better –> 10% BW within 6-12 hours of birth
- first half of 10% given within the first 2 hours
- wait another 2-4 hours and administer the other half
What is the minimum amount of colostrum given per feeding in beef and dairy calves?
BEEF = 2 quarts
DAIRY = 4 quarts
(consider more colostrum to valuble calves - 6 quarts)
How much colostrum is given per feeding in small ruminants?
4-6 oz
(1 oz = 30 mL)
Is there any reason to feed colostrum after 24 hours?
YES - although it will not be absorbed it is high in antibodies and proteins that are still useful in the gut
- freeze any first milking colostrum not needed for future emergencies
What timing of milking gives the best colostrum?
first milking
- next milkings will be more dilute
What cows give better colostrum? When is it typically the poorest?
older females - have created an immune response to more things
second lactation - sophomore slump, more stress compared to heifers and older cows
Why is suckling the best option for feeding? What if they will not suckle?
milk is diverted directly to the abomasum (dam > bottle)
must tube - esophageal feeder or orogastric tube
What is a dummy neonate? Do they show clinical signs?
neonate wont nurse or nurse on the wrong things –> attempts to bottle feed are frustrating, typically tubed (mortality >50%)
otherwise healthy, but may be acidotic and weak due to a lack of oxygen (dystocia related)
What should be done if a neonate does not get colostrum within the first 24 hours?
failure of passive transfer –> administer plasma
- $300
- if frozen, shelf life of several years
What are 5 tricks for fostering neonates to other dams? Specifically in small ruminants?
- skin dead neonate and put the skin on the foster baby for 3-4 days
- orphan-no-more - sprinkle on calf and cow’s nose
- restrain foster mom
- hobble foster mom (typically give up within 7-10 days)
- distract foster mom - give high value feed, tranquilize, ensure neonate is hungry
small pen + head lock + smear foster baby with birth fluids
A 10 y/o beef cow died after giving birth to a 90 lb Charolais bull calf. The cow had a uterine prolapse shortly after the calf was born and ruptured her uterine artery. What is the minimal amount of colostrum that you should feed to the calf to obtain successful passive transfer?
a. 1 quart
b. 2 quarts
c. 3 quarts
d. 4 quarts
e. 5 quarts
D
90lb/2.2 = ~40 x 10% = 4 L
What causes meconium staining of a neonate?
in utero stress (lack of oxygen associated with dystocia) on the neonate causes the gut to contract and the calf defecated
- meconium mixed with uterine fluid
What is the best environment for a neonate following birth? Why?
- clean
- warm
- dry
colostral immunity can be overwhelmed if conditions are poor
What can complicate hypothermia in calves? How is this treated?
hypoglycemia
warm them up on the inside AND out –> administer warm fluids by a tube, commercial neonatal heaters, Beir Huggers, wheelbarrow filled with warm water, bath tub, alcohol
How is hypothermia prevented in lambs?
- clean, dry shelter
- lambing jug
- provide heat lamp in a barrel (babies only, not the dam)
Why are neonates susceptible to hyperthermia? How can it be avoided?
(104-106 F) –> poor thermoregulators, spend time laying around first few days of life
- shade access
- move to AC if possible
- alcohol/water bath with fans
- tube with cool water
- provide a birthing area with access to full day shade
What are the 2 most common cause of hypoglycemia in neonates? How is it diagnosed? Treated?
- bacterial septicemia
- lack of nutrition
glucose meter (also expected)
50 mL/kg dextrose –> 5% BW in warm milk replacer, colostrum, or milk / 1 mL/kg 50% dextrose diluted to 5%
What happens is a neonate is oversupplemented with dextrose when treating hypoglycemia?
lung edema –> death
What can be used to treat hypoglycemia if dextrose is not available?
warm (102 F) corn syrup solution –> Karo
- 2 oz 50/50 corn syrup and warm water through a stomach tube –> provides heat AND glucose
- repeated hourly
What is floppy kid syndrome? When does this most commonly occur?
muscle weakness, anorexia, and depression in a kid within the first 2 weeks of life –> normal at birth!
How is floppy kid syndrome diagnosed? Treated?
metabolic acidosis with a high anion gap and NO dehydration on bloodwork
symptomatic + sodium bicarbonate
What are some purposes of IDing calves?
- herd/flock health
- production decisions
- outbreak investigation
