Unit 3 - Neonatal 1 Flashcards
What is the average length of gestation in the horse?
330-345 days
What should happen in the first 5 minutes of a neonates life?
It should have the righting response and be BAR
What is the 1-2-3 rule (what should occur)?
1 hour - Securely standing
2 hours - Nursing Well
3 hours - Mare passed fetal membranes
When should the foal pass its meconium?
within 1-4 hours of life
When should colts urinate by? Fillies?
Colts - 6 hours
Fillies - 11 hours
How much should foals gain per day?
1-2 pounds
How much do foals drink per day?
20-25% of their body weight in milk per day
When observing a foal, what are some normal behaviors that you should see?
Follow their mare, be curious (explore), and play
What is the foals daily ‘routine’?
Sleep, get up, urinate, nurse, play, and sleep.
What should the skin and hair coat look like on a PE of a foal?
The skin is intact, and free of ulcerations. The hair coat should not be too short but not too long.
What should the foals ears look like?
Erect, warm, and mobile
What should the eyes look like?
Clear, no ocular discharge
What should the nose look like?
Equal exhales, free of discharge, and no milk coming from the nares
What should the mouth look like?
There should be a suckle response, appropriate dentition(no incisors), and confirmation - look for a cleft palate
What CN response is it normal for foals not to have?
a menace response
True or False: Open mouth breathing is normal in a foal.
False - remember, foals are obligate nose breathers
What can entropion indicate in a foal?
It was born early or it could be dehydrated
What HR is normal for the first few weeks of life in a foal?
80-100 bpm
If there is an arrhythmia in a foal, when should it resolve?
Within the first few hours
What cardiac abnormality is normal in horses and should resolve within the first four days of life?
PDA
True or False: You should try to get a RR before you touch a foal.
True
When doing thoracic palpation, what should you feel for?
Swelling, irregularity, and free floating ribs
When can injuries to the thorax happen in a neonate?
During parturition - need to monitor if there are rib fracters
How should the abdomen of a foal feel on palpation?
Soft and pliable
How should the urachus be on a foal?
dry, not swollen - palpate for a hernia
True or False: If a foal passes meconium immediately after parturition it is normal.
False - it is a big problem
What are some abnormal things that can be found on PE of a foals legs?
Swelling and laxity - can lead to nursing problems
True or False: A hyperemic coronary band is not normal.
True
True or False: It is normal for a mare to be dripping colostrum prior to parturition.
False
Why is it hard to pick up early corneal ulcers on PE in a foal?
Because their corneas are insensitive - need fluoresceine stain
What are normal serum chemistry findings in a foal (as compared to adults)?
Elevated ALP due to bone turnover
Mild elevation in GGT
Low Na and Cl due to intake of milk
What are normal UA findings of a foal (as compared to adults)?
May have transient proteinuria in the first 1-2 days of life
Urine should be DILUTE
