Respiratory disease of the foal and weanling Flashcards
T/F upper respiratory tract disease is common in foals
False- lower respiratory disease
List 5 risk factors of lower resp tract disease in foals
Systemic sepsis (FPT)
Congenital abnormalities
Meconium aspiration
Milk aspiration
Birth trauma
Describe how to treat acute respiratory distress syndrome in foals
Intranasal oxygen,
Ventilation
Anti-inflammatories – corticosteroids
Broad spectrum anti-microbials
what is the prognosis for foals with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
poor
what is meconium aspiration syndrome
respiratory distress in a foal born through amniotic fluid stained with meconium
List 5 things that meconium aspiration can lead to
Mechanical airway obstruction
Regional air trapping
Surfactant inactivation and displacement
Chemical pneumonitis and alveolitis
Persistant pulmonary hypertension
Describe how to treat meconium aspiration syndrome
clear the nasal passages and pharynx
intubate and suck anything from past the pharynx
intranasal oxygen
mechanical ventilation
anti-inflammatory
pentoxyfylline
treat secondary bacterial infection
List 4 things milk aspiration can occur secondary to
Generalised weakness
Poor suckle reflex
Dysphagia
Congenital abnormalities
Describe how to diagnose milk aspiration in foals
history of milk regurgitation
PE findings
Endoscopic examination of URT
Thoracic radiography
Describe how to treat milk aspiration
Correction of the cause
Naso-oesophageal feeding tube
Broad spectrum antimicrobial therapy- to protect against secondary bacterial infections
Describe what is seen on radiographs with milk aspiration
Increased soft tissue opacity
Alveolar pattern
where do most rib fractures occur in foals
Most commonly at the costochondral junction or immediately dorsal to it
describe a flail chest in foals
occurs when foal has 2 rib fractures which results in section of rib cage becoming separated from thoracic wall
List 2 things that are seen on physical exam with rib fractures
Crepitus at site of fracture
Auscultation – grinding or clicking sound
what is the best way to diagnose rib fractures in foals
ultrasound
more sensitive than radiography in these cases
Describe how to treat rib fractures in foals
box rest
avoidance of pressure during handling
analgesia
surgical repair- if multiple, of risk of damage to thoracic viscera
what age of foals is viral pneumonia more common in
older foals
List the causes of viral pneumonia in foals
EHV-1
EHV-4
Equine Influenza
Equine arteritis virus
Equine adenovirus
which viral pneumonia presents similar to neonatal sepsis
EHV
Describe how to diagnose EHV in foALS
pCR testing nasal secretions or whole blooddescr
describe how to treat EHV in foals
Anti-virals (acyclovir, valacyclovir) – some efficacy in less severely affected foals
Supportive care
what causes parasitic pneumonia in foals
larvated eggs of Parascaris spp
Describe how to treat parasitic pneumonia in foals
ultimately self limiting
Anthelmintic treatment recommended- Fenbendazole or Pyrantel should be used
what bacteria most commonly causes bacterial pneumonia in neonatal foals
E.coli
gram negative
what is most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in foals aged 1-6 months
Strep equi subs. Zooepidemicus
Rhodococcus Equi - second most common cause
describe how Rhodococcus Equi is spread
inhalation
foals uniquely suscepttible
List the clinical signs associated with Rhodococcus Equi
insidious in onset
lower resp tract infection
fever
lethargy
coughing
tachypnoea
dyspnoea
extrapulmonary disorders common- e.g. D+
How to diagnose Rhodococcus Equi
ultrasound and radiography
Transtracheal wash- cytology and PCR
describe the scoring system for Rhodococcus Equi
Via ultrasound
No. of abscesses identified is recorded and diameter measures – totaled to generate a total abscess score (cms)
Foals less than 8-10cm typically not receiving treatment
Describe how to treat Rhodococcus Equi
resp support
NSAIDs
cool shaded area
antimicrobial therapy - Combination of a macrolide and rifampin
Prevention - hyperimmune plasma
