Post-partum dam and neonatal failure to thrive/ fading puppy

Question 1

List 3 things to help prevent poor mothering behaviour in the bitch

Answer 1

preparation and familiarisation with the whelping area
restricting visitors
keeping a calm environment

Question 2

How long does it take for uterine invoolution in bitch

Answer 2

12 weeks

Question 3

How long does it take for uterine involution in the queen

Answer 3

6 weeks

Question 4

How long is it normal for there to be vulval discharge after parturtion in bitch/ queen

Answer 4

3-4 weeks
should be non odorous, not associated with illness, but may be coloured

Question 5

List 6 post-partum diseases in bitch/ queen in order of how common they occur

Answer 5

Suspected retained fetal membranes
Post partum metritis
Inadequate milk
Hypocalcaemia
Sub-involution of placental sites
Haemorrhage

Question 6

How long after delivery of pup should the placenta be expelled

Answer 6

within 20 minutes

Question 7

when should placental retention be suspected

Answer 7

if green/black discharge persists after parturition

Question 8

List the clinical signs of post-partum metritis in the bitch

Answer 8

Depression, pyrexia, anorexia
Purulent vulval discharge
Neutrophilia with left shift
Uterine enlargement

Question 9

Decribe how to treat post-partum metritis in dogs

Answer 9

Broad spectrum antimicrobial drugs
Fluid therapy
Ecbolic agents- Prostaglandins (synthetic naturally occurring)

Question 10

List 3 things that can lead to metritis in the bitch

Answer 10

difficult or prolonged birth
placental retention
abortion

Question 11

what is agalactia

Answer 11

no milk production

Question 12

describe how to treat agalactia in the bitch

Answer 12

Dopamine antagonists are prolactin agonists = metoclopramide

Question 13

Describe how to treat lack of milk let-down in the bitch

Answer 13

oxytocin

Question 14

List 4 things that can cause lack of milk let down in the bitch

Answer 14

anxiety
pain
stress
cold

Question 15

List 6 clinical signs of hypocalcaemia in the bitch

Answer 15

nervousness
panting
whining
hypersalivation
stiff gait
tetany

Question 16

Describe how to treat hypocalcaemia in the bitch

Answer 16

calcium borogluconate slowly by IV infusion (see next slide), followed by same dose SC
feed pups artificially for 24 hours

Question 17

Describe what is seen with sub-involution of placental sites in the bitch

Answer 17

Haemorrhagic vulval discharge for longer than the normal 4 to 6 week duration post-partum

Question 18

Describe how to treat sub-involution of placental sites

Answer 18

can resolve itself
If blood loss significant- need regular observation- ovariohysterectomy may be needed

Question 19

List 3 potential causes of post-partum haemorrhage in the bitch

Answer 19

physical injuries of the birth canal
lack of involution of the uterus
following a c-section

Question 20

Describe how to treat post-partum haemorrhage in the bitch

Answer 20

Use of vaginal tampon
Ecbolic agents
If uterine origin and severe may need OVX
Also if severe in specific breeds may consider a coagulopathy

Question 21

List 4 things you should do after pup born (and is alive)

Answer 21

record birth weight
monitor resp (15/40 bpm)
record temp
check for congenital abnormalities

Question 22

List 5 ways that a neonate if different to an adult

Answer 22

Poor breathing
Limited ability to regulate body temperature
Poor regulation of fluid balance
Limited energy store
Immune system is immature

Question 23

List 4 things that can affect colostrum / milk intake by puppy

Answer 23

weak pups
insufficient teats
inexperienced/ difficult dam
continual distrubance by humans

Question 24

what is the easiest way to monitor hydration status in neonate

Answer 24

look at urine colour

Question 25

What is the ideal environmental temp for neonatal puppies

Answer 25

28-30 for 1st week 26 for next 3-4 weeks

Question 26

At what point should a neonate double its birth weight

Answer 26

in 8-10 days

Question 27

List 9 signs of a sick puppy

Answer 27

Frequent crying or failure to gain weight early indicator Feels cold to touch Skin inelastic Thin, bony appearance Slack abdomen (empty stomach) Dirty unkempt coat Persistent crying Loss of body twitching Delayed development of neonatal characteristics

Question 28

when should pups be able to voluntaryily defecate/ urinate

Answer 28

after week 2-3

Question 29

Why do we give neonatal puppies Abs if they get a minor disease

Answer 29

because they are susceptible to commensal overgrowth

Question 30

Describe what you should do if puppy is not feeding/ dehydrated

Answer 30

Reverse hypothermia Reverse hypoxia Treat / prevent dehydration Prevent commensal organism overgrowth

Question 31

Describe how to treat hypothermia in neonatal puppy

Answer 31

Slow re-heating (1C per hour) Maintain environmental temperature 29-32C (slightly higher than normal) Do not feed pup if colder than 34C Add dextrose to fluids (as increased calorific demand)

Question 32

what is the fluid demands for a neonatal puppy

Answer 32

general maintenance= 60-100 ml/kg/day

Question 33

List 5 predictors of mortality in a neonatal puppy

Answer 33

low APGAR score dehydration no increased in BW rectal temp less than 35 plasma glucose less than 100mg/dL

Question 34

List the 3 most life threatening problems in a puppy 2-6 weeks of age

Answer 34

dehydration from D+ internal and external parasites traumatic insults

Question 35

List the 3 best predictors of wellness in 2-6 week old puppies

Answer 35

continued growth normal behavioural development normal rectal temp

Question 36

List the 2 most life-threatening problems in puppies from 6-12 weeks old

Answer 36

infectious diseases Disease associated with inquisitive behaviour (foreign bodies, biting electric cables)

Question 37

If you see fitting in a puppy what should you consider

Answer 37

hypoglycaemia porto-systemic shunt ect

Question 38

what are fading puppies

Answer 38

pups which were alive but then die

Question 39

what is the principle problem in 'true' fading puppies

Answer 39

low surfactant concentrations

Question 40

How does low lung surfactant lead to puppy death

Answer 40

-> Poor respiratory function -> Respiratory distress -> Inability to suck -> Fatal cycle of hypoxia, dehydration, low blood sugars, hypothermia and death