Neonate & mammary gland Flashcards
Why are neonates more susceptible to disease than adults?
Poor breathing
Limited ability to regulate body temperature
Poor regulation of fluid balance
Limited energy store
Immune system is immature
What are the key challenges faced by neonates?
Increased susceptibility to disease
Poor response to disease (rapid hypothermia, rapid fluid loss, energy depletion & poor immunological response)
Potential for high mortality rate
How do neonates acquire maternal antibodies?
Some antibodies cross placenta, while others are obtained from colostrum
How is MDA transfer different in dogs?
Limited trans-placental transfer; most MDA comes from colostrum
Why must colostrum intake occur within a few hours after birth?
Because absorption efficiency drops from 60% before 4 hours to only 5% after 12 hours
What are common causes of FPT?
Poor quality colostrum
- Early lactation & colostral loss
- Primiparous dams
- Mastitis
- Poor udder development
- Lack of maternal antibodies
Poor neonatal intake
What are the consequences of FPT?
Increased risk of GI disease, respiratory disease, joint sepsis, umbilical abscess, fading puppy syndrome, sepsis, increased mortality, poor weight gain & high antibiotic use
How can FPT be treated?
Donor colostrum or hyperimmune plasma administration (not always successful)
What are the keys aspects of ongoing care for neonates?
Ensuring colostrum & milk intake
Ensuring hydration status
Monitoring environmental temperature & pup behaviour
Regular clinical examination
What are some other immune deficiencies affecting neonates?
Hypogammaglobulinemia, congenital SCID, agammaglobulinemia, selective IgM deficiency & Fell Pony Immune Deficiency Syndrome
When do neonates with immune deficiencies typically show symptoms?
After maternal antibodies wane, leading to increased susceptibility to disease
What is APGAR scoring?
System that evaluates neonates in 5 areas, with score <6 predicting poor survival
What are early indicators of neonatal illness?
Frequent crying, failure to gain weight, cold touch, inelastic skin, slack abdomen, dirty coat, loss of body twitching, & delayed development
What are common clinical signs of neonatal sepsis?
What are some clinical signs of premature foals?
<320d gestation
Low birth weight
Silky hair coat
Domed forehead
Floppy ears
Flexor laxity/hypotonia
Weak suck reflex
Poor thermoregulation
Entropion
Poor glucose regulation
Immature renal function
What are common causes of neonatal illness in pups?
Managemental & maternal causes, very low birth weight & congenital defects
What are key aspects of neonatal care for sick pups?
Early supplemental feeding, ensuring colostrum intake, monitoring body temperature, maintaining hydration, weight recordings & environmental monitoring
What are signs of dehydration in neonates?
Coloured urine, poor skin elasticity, dry mucous membranes & slow capillary refill time
What are essential monitoring parameters for sick neonates?
Rectal temp, urine colour, skin elasticity, mucous membrane colour, resp rate & heart rate
At what temperature should neonatal pups be maintained?
29-32°C (slightly higher than normal)
Why should you not feed a hypothermic pup (<24°C)?
Because digestion is impaired, leading to potential complications
What supportive treatments can be used in critical neonates?
Oxygen administration (via incubator or tracheal catheter), slow re-warming (1°C per hour) & dextrose supplementation
How does high MDA affect vaccination?
High levels of maternal antibodies can interfere with vaccine effectiveness
What aspects should be examined in a mammary gland assessment?
Skin
Gland structure (size, texture, firmness, evenness)
Teat & teat canal condition (ulceration, discharge)
Milk quality (colour, odour, production levels)
What additional tests can be used to assess mammary gland health?
California Mastitis Test, ultrasound, fine needle aspiration
What does a positive California Mastitis Test (CMT) indicate?
Presence of somatic cells (WBCs), which suggests mastitis
What are the characteristics of a normal mammary gland?
Healthy skin
Normal size
Functional suspensory system
No pain or heat
Even texture
Normal milk production
How does progesterone affect the mammary gland?
Causes mammary enlargement in non-pregnant dogs, often leading to pseudo-pregnancy
What are common mammary disorders?
Skin diseases (e.g. warts or ulcerative mammillitis (BHV2))
Udder suspensory damage
Teat trauma
Inverted nipples
Mastitis
Hyperplasia
Neoplasia
Agalactia
What is mastitis, and how is it classified?
Inflammation of mammary gland
Types include:
- Subclinical
- Clinical
- Acute
- Acute gangrenous (tissue necrosis)
- Chronic
What are common causes of mammary hyperplasia?
Normal under progesterone
Due to milk engorgement at weaning
Mammary hyperplasia (e.g hormonally induced in Queen with fibroepithelial hyperplasia)
What percentage of mammary tumours are malignant in dogs?
50% (with up to 50% of these metastasising by diagnosis)
What percentage of mammary tumours are malignant in cats?
85%
How is mammary neoplasia staged using the TNM system?
T (Tumor size)
N (Node involvement)
M (Metastasis presence)
E.g.: 4 cm tumour with no lymph node spread & no lung metastasis = T2, N0, M0 (Stage 2)
What are the two types of agalactia?
- Failure of milk production – Due to inadequate mammary development (e.g. early C-section)
- Failure of milk letdown – Due to stress-induced adrenaline blocking oxytocin release
How is agalactia treated?
Milk production failure: Metoclopramide (prolactin agonist)
Milk letdown failure: Oxytocin administration
Infections causing agalactia (e.g. metritis, mastitis): Treat underlying disease
