SA - Small Animal Neonatal Care

Question 1

When is the neonatal period?

Answer 1

The first 2-3 weeks of life when they have complete dependence on the mother

Question 2

What are the essential components for normal neonatal transition?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

What triggers breathing in neonates after being expelled from the birth canal?

Answer 3

The CNS is triggered by change in temperature and environment

Question 4

What do all newborns need?

Answer 4

Warm, dry environment
Nourishment
Clear airway
Freedom from overwhelming exposure to infectious organisms
Protection from trauma

Question 5

What supplies are needed for a PE of a neonate?

Answer 5

Pediatric stethoscope

Rapid digital thermometer than can measure down to at least 92F

Question 6

During a PE, how do you assess hydration in a neonate?

Answer 6

by mucus membrane evaluation

Question 7

What may a lack of hair/sparse hair coat on a neonate indicate?

Answer 7

A genetic abnormality or prematurity

Question 8

What genetic abnormality may a lack of hair over the dorsum indicate?

Answer 8

spina bifida

Question 9

What do you want to look for on the ventral abdomen when doing a PE on a neonate?

Answer 9

Look for hernias, urine scalding (persistent urachus), and overzealous mothering (cannibalism)

Question 10

True or False: Discharge from any orifice aside from urination and defecation is abnormal in a neonate.

Answer 10

true

Question 11

What do you want to look for when examining the head of a neonate?

Answer 11

open fontanels, clef palates, and bulging from behind the eyelids

Question 12

What do you want to look for when examining the chest of the neonate?

Answer 12

flattening or malformations

Question 13

Why would you want to stimulate the genitals or anus in a neonate?

Answer 13

To check for patency

Question 14

When should the umbilical cord be dry? When should it fall off?

Answer 14

It should be dry within 24 hours and fall off by day 3-4

Question 15

Sexing in puppies is easy, however sexing in kittens is difficult. What measurement can you use to determine the sex of a kitten?

Answer 15

Measure the anogenital distance
Females will be 7.6 +/- 1mm
Males will be 12.9 +/- 1.5 mm

Question 16

What is the normal TPR for a neonate at birth?

Answer 16

HR - 160-200 bpm
RR - 10-20 bpm
Temp - 94.5-97.3 F

Question 17

What is the normal TPR for a neonate in the first week of life?

Answer 17

HR - 200-220 bpm
RR - 16-35 bpm
Temp - 97.3 - 100.1 F

Question 18

Characterize the first week of life of a neonate.

Answer 18

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

Question 19

By what day of life should puppies and kittens be able to hold up their heads?

Answer 19

Day 3

Question 20

By what day of life should puppies and kittens be able to crawl in a coordinated manner?

Answer 20

Day 7

Question 21

When should a neonate double their birth weight by?

Answer 21

Day 7-10

Question 22

When should a neonate be able to open their eyes by?

Answer 22

Day 10-12

Abyssinians may open at birth

Question 23

When should a neonate’s external ear canals be open?

Answer 23

Day 10-14

Question 24

What should neonates be able to do in the third week of life?

Answer 24

Stand and have good postural reflexes

Question 25

Why is hypothermia such a serious problem in neonates?

Answer 25

They have no SQ fat thus they have little insulation | They are unable to regulate their body temperature within the first week

Question 26

What does hypothermia do to the gut?

Answer 26

It slows gut motility and causes ileus

Question 27

How does hypothermia affect cellular immune function?

Answer 27

It inhibits cellular immune function increasing the risk of infection

Question 28

What neonates are at a higher risk of complications due to hypothermia?

Answer 28

Assist fed neonates

Question 29

What complications can assist fed neonates get from hypothermia?

Answer 29

Milk replacer can get regurgitated or aspirated resulting in pneumonia Fermentation can occur leading to bloat

Question 30

What should the ambient temperature (room temperature) be for neonates less than 1 week of age?

Answer 30

85-90 F with 55-65% humidity

Question 31

What should the ambient temperature (room temperature) be for neonates of 1-4 weeks of age?

Answer 31

80 F with 55-65% humidity

Question 32

What are the clinical signs of hypothermia in the neonate?

Answer 32

Bloating, increase respiratory rates, restlessness, continuous crying, red mucous membranes, skin is cool to the touch, lethargy, uncoordination, and death

Question 33

What is the treatment for neonatal hypothermia?

Answer 33

``` Slow reheating (2F/h) while keeping them dry Warm fluids - PO not recommended ```

Question 34

How will the mucus membranes feel if a neonate is 5-7% dehydrated?

Answer 34

tacky to dry

Question 35

How will the mucus membranes feel if a neonate is 10% dehydrated?

Answer 35

very dry and noticeable decrease in skin elasticity

Question 36

What are the fluid requirements for neonates?

Answer 36

13-22 ml/100g body weight per day

Question 37

When doing fluid therapy, what is the recommended rate for neonates?

Answer 37

6 mL/kg/hour

Question 38

Why are neonates susceptible to hypoglycemia?

Answer 38

They have very little glycogen stores and there is a poor gluconeogenic response in the liver

Question 39

What is considered hypoglycemia in the neonate?

Answer 39

if serum glucose is <30 mg/dL

Question 40

What is considered hypoglycemia in a juvenile?

Answer 40

if serum glucose is <40 mg/dL

Question 41

What clinical signs are associated with hypoglycemia in the neonate?

Answer 41

Tremors, crying, irritability, increased appetite, dullness, lethargy, coma, stupor, and seizures

Question 42

What are the causes of hypoglycemia in the neonate?

Answer 42

Starvation, metabolic diseases, hepatic shunts, and Transient Juvenile hypoglycemia (Fatty liver syndrome)

Question 43

What is the treatment for hypoglycemia in the neonate?

Answer 43

Dextrose IV as part of a 5-10% dextrose in LRS or normal saline solution

Question 44

In free whelped neonates, what should the dam/queen do initially?

Answer 44

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

Question 45

How long should you wait before intervening if you notice a dam/queen is not resuscitating her newborns?

Answer 45

30-60 seconds

Question 46

If you have to intervene when a dam/queen does not show interest, what should you do?

Answer 46

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

Question 47

What should you not do when stimulating a newborn? Why?

Answer 47

DO NOT SWING | You can cause an increase in intracranial pressure, a subdural hematoma, or end up killing it

Question 48

If dam begins savaging her pups, what should you do?

Answer 48

tranquilize her

Question 49

What is DAP and what does it do?

Answer 49

Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) - it promotes calm and secure behavior and allows for establishing a bond between neonate and mother

Question 50

If you have to separate a mother from her babies, what do you need to make sure happens?

Answer 50

You need to make sure that she can see and hear her babies

Question 51

If a neonate is not responding to rubbing, suctioning, and stimulating within 30-60 seconds, what should be done?

Answer 51

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

Question 52

How do you prep for C-section pups?

Answer 52

``` Have warm towels to dry/stimulate Have an umbilical ligature Mucus trap or bulb syringe Oxygen Reversal agents Respiratory stimulant Heat source +/- serum/plasma ```

Question 53

What does an APGAR score of 10-14 indicate?

Answer 53

the newborn is healthy

Question 54

What does an APGAR score of 5-9 indicate?

Answer 54

The newborn is moderately stressed

Question 55

What does an APGAR score of 0-4 indicate?

Answer 55

The newborn is severely stressed

Question 56

Do puppies need colostrum?

Answer 56

Yes, either from nursing or exernal sources

Question 57

What can be done to stimulate milk production?

Answer 57

Give Oxytocin, metoclopramide or domperidone orally, or do acupuncture

Question 58

How often should you weigh neonates?

Answer 58

Weigh at birth and then twice daily

Question 59

If a neonate is going to lose weight, when will it be?

Answer 59

within the first 24 hours, but not greater than 10%

Question 60

At what rate should neonates gain weight?

Answer 60

5-10% daily

Question 61

When should a neonate double its weight?

Answer 61

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

Question 62

If a neonate needs supplemental feeding in order to gain weight, what can be given?

Answer 62

Esbilac or KMR - preferred mix | 40 ml/kg