SA - Small Animal Neonatal Care Flashcards
When is the neonatal period?
The first 2-3 weeks of life when they have complete dependence on the mother
What are the essential components for normal neonatal transition?
Clearance of fetal lung fluid so that they can secrete surfactant and begin breathing on their own
Transition from fetal to neonatal circulation - decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance and increased pulmonary blood flow
Endocrine support of the transition
What triggers breathing in neonates after being expelled from the birth canal?
The CNS is triggered by change in temperature and environment
What do all newborns need?
Warm, dry environment Nourishment Clear airway Freedom from overwhelming exposure to infectious organisms Protection from trauma
What supplies are needed for a PE of a neonate?
Pediatric stethoscope
Rapid digital thermometer than can measure down to at least 92F
During a PE, how do you assess hydration in a neonate?
by mucus membrane evaluation
What may a lack of hair/sparse hair coat on a neonate indicate?
A genetic abnormality or prematurity
What genetic abnormality may a lack of hair over the dorsum indicate?
spina bifida
What do you want to look for on the ventral abdomen when doing a PE on a neonate?
Look for hernias, urine scalding (persistent urachus), and overzealous mothering (cannibalism)
True or False: Discharge from any orifice aside from urination and defecation is abnormal in a neonate.
true
What do you want to look for when examining the head of a neonate?
open fontanels, clef palates, and bulging from behind the eyelids
What do you want to look for when examining the chest of the neonate?
flattening or malformations
Why would you want to stimulate the genitals or anus in a neonate?
To check for patency
When should the umbilical cord be dry? When should it fall off?
It should be dry within 24 hours and fall off by day 3-4
Sexing in puppies is easy, however sexing in kittens is difficult. What measurement can you use to determine the sex of a kitten?
Measure the anogenital distance
Females will be 7.6 +/- 1mm
Males will be 12.9 +/- 1.5 mm
What is the normal TPR for a neonate at birth?
HR - 160-200 bpm
RR - 10-20 bpm
Temp - 94.5-97.3 F
What is the normal TPR for a neonate in the first week of life?
HR - 200-220 bpm
RR - 16-35 bpm
Temp - 97.3 - 100.1 F
Characterize the first week of life of a neonate.
Sleep most of the day
Nurse vigorously for short periods every 2-4 hours
Only respond to stimuli shuch as odor, touch, and pain
The dam/queen initiates urination and defecation
Unable to regulate their own body temp
By what day of life should puppies and kittens be able to hold up their heads?
Day 3
By what day of life should puppies and kittens be able to crawl in a coordinated manner?
Day 7
When should a neonate double their birth weight by?
Day 7-10
When should a neonate be able to open their eyes by?
Day 10-12
Abyssinians may open at birth
When should a neonate’s external ear canals be open?
Day 10-14
What should neonates be able to do in the third week of life?
Stand and have good postural reflexes
Why is hypothermia such a serious problem in neonates?
They have no SQ fat thus they have little insulation
They are unable to regulate their body temperature within the first week
What does hypothermia do to the gut?
It slows gut motility and causes ileus
How does hypothermia affect cellular immune function?
It inhibits cellular immune function increasing the risk of infection
What neonates are at a higher risk of complications due to hypothermia?
Assist fed neonates
What complications can assist fed neonates get from hypothermia?
Milk replacer can get regurgitated or aspirated resulting in pneumonia
Fermentation can occur leading to bloat
What should the ambient temperature (room temperature) be for neonates less than 1 week of age?
85-90 F with 55-65% humidity
What should the ambient temperature (room temperature) be for neonates of 1-4 weeks of age?
80 F with 55-65% humidity
What are the clinical signs of hypothermia in the neonate?
Bloating, increase respiratory rates, restlessness, continuous crying, red mucous membranes, skin is cool to the touch, lethargy, uncoordination, and death
What is the treatment for neonatal hypothermia?
Slow reheating (2F/h) while keeping them dry Warm fluids - PO not recommended
How will the mucus membranes feel if a neonate is 5-7% dehydrated?
tacky to dry
How will the mucus membranes feel if a neonate is 10% dehydrated?
very dry and noticeable decrease in skin elasticity
What are the fluid requirements for neonates?
13-22 ml/100g body weight per day
When doing fluid therapy, what is the recommended rate for neonates?
6 mL/kg/hour
Why are neonates susceptible to hypoglycemia?
They have very little glycogen stores and there is a poor gluconeogenic response in the liver
What is considered hypoglycemia in the neonate?
if serum glucose is <30 mg/dL
What is considered hypoglycemia in a juvenile?
if serum glucose is <40 mg/dL
What clinical signs are associated with hypoglycemia in the neonate?
Tremors, crying, irritability, increased appetite, dullness, lethargy, coma, stupor, and seizures
What are the causes of hypoglycemia in the neonate?
Starvation, metabolic diseases, hepatic shunts, and Transient Juvenile hypoglycemia (Fatty liver syndrome)
What is the treatment for hypoglycemia in the neonate?
Dextrose IV as part of a 5-10% dextrose in LRS or normal saline solution
In free whelped neonates, what should the dam/queen do initially?
Lick off the fetal membranes, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta, stimulate the neonate by licking, encourage nursing, and move it close to warm
How long should you wait before intervening if you notice a dam/queen is not resuscitating her newborns?
30-60 seconds
If you have to intervene when a dam/queen does not show interest, what should you do?
Rub the neonate with a warm towel and clear the nose and mouth. Use a mucus trap on the nostrils and mouth. Clamp the cord 1/4’’ from the body wall and then tie off
What should you not do when stimulating a newborn? Why?
DO NOT SWING
You can cause an increase in intracranial pressure, a subdural hematoma, or end up killing it
If dam begins savaging her pups, what should you do?
tranquilize her
What is DAP and what does it do?
Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) - it promotes calm and secure behavior and allows for establishing a bond between neonate and mother
If you have to separate a mother from her babies, what do you need to make sure happens?
You need to make sure that she can see and hear her babies
If a neonate is not responding to rubbing, suctioning, and stimulating within 30-60 seconds, what should be done?
Suction the airway again, provide oxygen via face mask (intubate if face mask is not successful in 3-5 minutes), Jen Chung GV26 stimulation, chest compressions, and/or give epinephrine
How do you prep for C-section pups?
Have warm towels to dry/stimulate Have an umbilical ligature Mucus trap or bulb syringe Oxygen Reversal agents Respiratory stimulant Heat source \+/- serum/plasma
What does an APGAR score of 10-14 indicate?
the newborn is healthy
What does an APGAR score of 5-9 indicate?
The newborn is moderately stressed
What does an APGAR score of 0-4 indicate?
The newborn is severely stressed
Do puppies need colostrum?
Yes, either from nursing or exernal sources
What can be done to stimulate milk production?
Give Oxytocin, metoclopramide or domperidone orally, or do acupuncture
How often should you weigh neonates?
Weigh at birth and then twice daily
If a neonate is going to lose weight, when will it be?
within the first 24 hours, but not greater than 10%
At what rate should neonates gain weight?
5-10% daily
When should a neonate double its weight?
10-12 days
She said 7-10 days earlier in the ppt, so on the safe side I would assume between 7 and 12 days
If a neonate needs supplemental feeding in order to gain weight, what can be given?
Esbilac or KMR - preferred mix
40 ml/kg
