Perinatal Calf Care Flashcards
you are presented with an 8 day old 45kg calf that is depressed, has eyeball recession of 5mm, and has a skin tent of 3 seconds. The calf is currently in sternal recumbency. Calculate how many fluids this calf needs
the calf is about 8% dehydrated
dehydration replacement: 0.08 x 45 kg= 3.6L
ongoing losses between 2-4L a day. In the middle=3L
maintenance is 50ml/kg/day x 45= 2.25 L
added all together is 8.85 L in 24 hours
you are presented with an 8 day old 45kg calf that is depressed, has eyeball recession of 5mm, and has a skin tent of 3 seconds. The calf is currently in sternal recumbency. Calculate the acid base correction this calf needs.
8 day old calf in sternal recumbency needs 15mEq/L
45kg x 15mEq/L x 0.6= 405mEq/L
what are some biomarkers of trauma in calves undergone difficult calving?
CK and AST
can and should we be mitigate pain in calves assisted at birth?
YES use NSAIDs!
which NSAIDs should you be using for the cows/mothers after assisted calving?
meloxicam
ketoprofen
what NSAIDs should you be using for the calves after assisted calving?
meloxicam
ketoprofen
calving difficulty has two main negative impacts on calf’s physiology, they are
trauma and oxygen deprivation
why are calves prone to becoming hypoxemic and acidemic when being born?
the umbillical cord pinches off once the calf reaches a certain point in the birth canal, and prolonged calving results in oxygen deprevation=respiratory acidosis
anaerobic glycolysis occurs resulting in lactatemia and metabolic acidosis
all newborn calves have what acid base derrangement at birth?
mixed respiratory acidosis-metabolic acidosis
more difficult calving=more severe
what are some techniques to resuscitate apneic or hypopneic newborn calves?
rub the calf vigorously, pour cold water on the head or in the ear, poke straw or a finger in the nose
a lot of producers hang newborn calves over the fence. Should this be done?
NOOOO OMG
what are some techniques to assist ventilation in newborn calves?
an air mask (muclo-mask respirator) or an LMA (laryngeal mask airway)
poor calf vigour is associated with
acidemia (pH and lactate) and tissue damage (CK and AST)
what are things we need to check in newborn calves after we’ve done history taking, PE, etc?
eponychium (fairy slippers)
umbillicus
joints
palate
hydration
why do we care about meconium staining in calves?
it indicates in-utero stress and may aspirate into the lungs leading to pneumonia
in normal calves, it should be passed after birth within 24 hours (usually within 3 hours)
what does a swollen head and/or tongue indicate in a newborn calf?
indicates there was calving difficulty–>congestion and edema associated with impaired venous return due to being stuck in the birth canal for long periods. can make it difficult to swallow or suckle.
what sorts of trauma injuries are common in calves that underwent a difficult calving?
soft tissue trauma to lower limbs
limb of pelvis fracture
rib fractures
what are signs that a calf is born premature?
fine hair coat, central incisors not erupted, labored breathing or frothing (not enough surfactant)
true or false: newborn calves should have pink mucus membranes right as theyre born
false! normally start somewhat blue, then turn pink in 30 seconds
list 3 calf vigour assessment tests for beef cows
suckle reflex
tongue withdrawal
mucous membrane color
what is a normal HR in newborn calves?
starts around 150 and can increase to 200, then should slow to 80-120
what is normal RR in newborn calves?
start out by gasping, around 60bpm, then slows within an hour to 24-36
what is the most crucial way neonates are warmed
colostrum!
when should you consider warming a calf?
if a calf’s temp goes below 38 degrees, if the ambient temperature is cold/wet/windy, if the calf is wet, if the calving was difficult
list some methods to warm a calf
warm from the inside with heated colostrum
dry them off if wet
warming boxes
submersion in warm water bath
what is one thing to remember about warming boxes?
newborns can get infected with scour agents if the boxes if they are not cleaned! need strict biosecurity measures
