LA Neonatology

Mechanism of maternal secretion of IgG

Active, selective, receptor-mediated process that occurs 4-6 weeks prepartum

So when should you vaccinate the dam?

6-8 weeks prepartum

Mechanism of neonatal absorption of IgG

o Non-selective and non-receptor mediated!

o Time dependent because of cell turnover, gut closes 24 hours postpartum

Requirement for successful passive transfer of colostral antibodies

• Formation of colostrum with adequate IgG concentration

• Ingestion of adequate mass of IgG by neonate

• Timely absorption of IgG by neonate

• Colostrum hygiene to avoid absorption competition

How much colostrum to feed?

4 quarts of clean, quality colostrum within 1-2 hourd of birth

Colostrum IgG goal

> 50g/L

Colostrum brix goal

> 22%

Serum IgG goal

> 18g/L — HIGHER in beef

Serum brix goal

> 8.9%

TP goal

> 5.8g/dL

How to manage a weak neonate

• Colostrum and milk

• Supplemental O2

• Supportive care: thermal regulation, nutritional supplementation

• Rule out infectious disease

Calf scours causes

-rotavirus

-coronavirus

-cryptosporidium

What type of D+ does calf scours agents cause?

Causes malabsorptive and maldigestive D+ (fluid and electrolyte loss)

Should you treat calf scours with antibiotics?

No

Inflammatory Diarrhea

-Enteric E Coli

-Clostridium perfringens

Enterotoxigenic E Coli

calves < 1 week old and has fibria/pilus as well as enterotoxin

Enterohemorrhagic E coli

calves 1 week - 4 months and has a shiga-like toxin

Type A clostridium perf

enteritis and abomasitis

Type B clostridium perf

enteritis in lambs

Typce C clostridium perf

hemorrhagic enterocolitis

Type D clostridium perf

enterotoxemia, overeating disease

Treatment for clostridium

Penicillin

Physical findings of neonatal septicemia

o Red/inflamed mucous membranes

o Prominent scleral blood vessels

o Depression > dehydration (doesn't have severe diarrhea)

o Multiple organ system problems

Why do neonates get secondary bloat?

Bronchopneumonia —> mediastinal LN enlargement —> compression/obstruction of esophagus

What are the causes of rumen putrefaction?

• Due to milk accumulation in the rumen and fermentation

• Causes: tubing milk, overeating, or esophageal groove dysfunction

Clincal signs rumen putrefaction

recurrent bloat, poor growth, D+, rough hair coat

Treatment of rumen putrefaction

rumen lavage, PO tetracycline or penicillin, rumen fluid transfaunation