Neonatal Care, Medical Nuring, and Fluid Therapy

For Chapter 21

Abnormally low body temperature. The measured body temperature must be compared with what is normal for the age group because neonates have lower body temperatures than adults.

Hypothermia

A juvenile horse nursing from its mother

Foal

Born with a specific condition. Can be genetic or environmentally induced.

Congenital

In puppies and kittens, the first 2 to 4 weeks of life are characterized by complete dependence on the mother because of incomplete neurologic function, such as audio and visual abilities and proper spinal reflexes.

Neonatal Period

Abnormal depletion of body fluids

Dehydration

Lower than normal levels of blood glucose resulting in lack of fuel to the brain and other organ systems

Hypoglycemia

When one parent or both parents transmit disease-causing genes to the offspring, that disease is described as _____.

Genetic

Adult female horse

Mare

Sepsis or septic shock

Acute, severe bacterial infection causing multiorgan dysfunction, including poor perfusion of the limbs, cardiovascular collapse, and metabolic derangements, such as profound hypoglycemia

Neonatal encephalopathy

“Dummy foal” or neonatal maladjustment syndrome. Results in abnormal behavior, poor nursing ability, weakness, and is associated with other problems, such as sepsis, neonatal gastroenteropathy, and neonatal nephropathy

Failure of passive transfer (FPT)

A condition in which antibodies from mare’s colostrum are not received by foal within 24 hours of birth

Neonatal nephropathy

Renal insufficiency in a neonatal foal. May resolve or may be too severe for recovery

Neonatal isoerythrolysis

Acute, severe anemia caused by destruction of foal’s red blood cells because of maternal antibodies causing an imcompatibility reaction

Dysmaturity

Very large foal is born at longer-than-expected gestational age (e.g., 400 days), with longer hair coat, erupted incisors, and often with limb deformities

Neonatal Gastroenteropathy

A gastrointestinal condition characterized by abnorma absorption and motility of the GI tract. This leads to intolerance of enteral nutrition, with signs such as reflux seen after stall

Colitis

Inflammation of the colon characterized by acute diarrhea, and often caused by an infectious organism, such as rotavirus, Slamonella spp., or Clostridium spp. Requires immediate treatment in an isolated stall

Musculoskeletal abnormalities

A general term for musculoskeletal system problems seen in neonatal foals, including deviated limbs caused by tendon contracture, or by varius, or valgus deformities

Patient urachus

A condition in which urine leaks from the foal;s urachus because it is not closing

Reptured bladder

A tear in the urinary bladder or associated structures that results in urine leakage into the abdomen

Entropion

Rolling inward of the lower eyelid of a foal causing ulcerations or corneal abrasion

Septic arthritis or septic physitis

Infection in the joint or growth

Meconium retention

Retention of the first feces in the colon, resulting in signs of abdominal discomfort, such as tall flagging and rolling

Prematurity

Foal is born before gestational age of 320 days and exhibits signs such as low weight at birth, soft hair coat, floppy ears, domed head, and incomplete suboidal bone ossification

Urachus

A canal in the umbilicus that connects to the urinary bladder

Nosocomial

Resistant infections acquired in the hospital

Omphalitis

Inflammation of the umbilicus

Bacteremia

Infection in the bloodstream

Petechiae

Small areas of hemorrhaging

Pinna

Foal’s outer ear

Placentitis

A leading high-risk complication in the mare that can present with vaginal discharge, premature udder development, and lactation

Colostrum

First milk, which contains antibodies

Hypovolemia

Decreased circulating blood volume

Foaling

Parturition in a mare

Icterus

Yellow discoloration of tissues, serum, or plasma caused by the presence of bilirubin

Water breaking

Rupture of a mare’s chorioallantoic membrane, releasing allantoxic

“Bagging up”

The term for the pre-parturition change in the mare of udder enlargement

Holosystolic flow murmur

A normal finding during neonate heart auscultation in an otherwise healthy foal

Hypoxemia

Low oxygen blood levels

Wax-up

The accumulation of pre-foaling secretions on the teats

Telemetry

A method of monitoring heart rates in high-risk mares

Glycosuris

Sugar present in the urine

Bucket baby

A foal raised as an orphan

Primiparous

Another name for a maiden mare

Injected

The word used to describe dark purple mucous membranes with prominent vessels

Miotic

A term used to describe constricted pupils

Read the following statements and write “True” for true or “False” for false in the blanks provided. If a statement is false, correct the statement to make it true. The history taken for neonatal puppies and kittens should include the number of ill animals in the litter, the method by which they were raised, and the queen or bitch’s vaccination history.

True

Read the following statements and write “True” for true or “False” for false in the blanks provided. If a statement is false, correct the statement to make it true. Because the neonate can have a body temperature lower than 94° F (34.4° C), a digital thermometer that measures as low as 85° F (29.4° C) is necessary.

True

Read the following statements and write “True” for true or “False” for false in the blanks provided. If a statement is false, correct the statement to make it true. To evaluate a neonate’s hydration status, its skin turgor is evaluated by gently pinching the skin on its neck

False

To evaluate a neonate’s hydration status, their urine color is evaluated instead of skin turgor

Read the following statements and write “True” for true or “False” for false in the blanks provided. If a statement is false, correct the statement to make it true. By 3 days of age, kittens and puppies should be able to crawl in a coordinated manner.

False

By 3 days of age, kittens and puppies should be able to lift their heads, and by 1 week, they can crawl in coordinated manner

Read the following statements and write “True” for true or “False” for false in the blanks provided. If a statement is false, correct the statement to make it true. Normal neonatal puppies and kittens often have sparse hair coats.

False

A neonatal puppy and kitten born with a sparse hair coat may indicate either a genetic abnormality of the skin or premature birth

Read the following statements and write “True” for true or “False” for false in the blanks provided. If a statement is false, correct the statement to make it true. Bluish or dark red skin may be normal in a neonatal puppy or kitten.

False

Blush or dark red discoloration of a neonate’s skin are indicative of a neonate with cyanosis or sepsis, repectively

Read the following statements and write “True” for true or “False” for false in the blanks provided. If a statement is false, correct the statement to make it true. A bloated abdomen in a neonatal puppy is a typical finding.

True

Read the following statements and write “True” for true or “False” for false in the blanks provided. If a statement is false, correct the statement to make it true. Gloves should be worn at all times when directly handling the neonate foal, administering medications, changing fluids or IV lines, etc.

True

Read the following statements and write “True” for true or “False” for false in the blanks provided. If a statement is false, correct the statement to make it true. Normal neonates may have irregular heart and respiratory rates.

True

Read the following statements and write “True” for true or “False” for false in the blanks provided. If a statement is false, correct the statement to make it true. When neonates are born, they are capable of maintaining their own body temperature.

False

Puppies and kittens are unable to maintain their body temperature during the first two weeks of life

Read the following statements and write “True” for true or “False” for false in the blanks provided. If a statement is false, correct the statement to make it true. The abdominal component to breathing is absent in neonatal puppies and kittens.

True

Read the following statements and write “True” for true or “False” for false in the blanks provided. If a statement is false, correct the statement to make it true. Dog testicles do not descend until 6 to 8 weeks of age.

True

Read the following statements and write “True” for true or “False” for false in the blanks provided. If a statement is false, correct the statement to make it true. When a neonate is brought in as an emergency, priority should be placed on obtaining all samples necessary for accurate diagnosis.

False

When a neonate is brought in as an emergency, immediate care is paramount. Minimal samples may be obtained for diagnostics, but the complete workup should take place after the patient has been stabilized

Read the following statements and write “True” for true or “False” for false in the blanks provided. If a statement is false, correct the statement to make it true. Orphan neonates must be weighed four times a day or more.

False

Each orphan must be weighted twice daily, and records should be kept

Read the following statements and write “True” for true or “False” for false in the blanks provided. If a statement is false, correct the statement to make it true. A vast array of antibodies are transferred in utero to canine and feline fetuses, and they are born immunologically mature.

False

Virtually no antibodies are transferred in utero to canine and feline fetuses, and they are born immuniilogically immature

Read the following statements and write “True” for true or “False” for false in the blanks provided. If a statement is false, correct the statement to make it true. Fluid requirements are high in neonates, but total volumes that can be given are low.

True

Read the following statements and write “True” for true or “False” for false in the blanks provided. If a statement is false, correct the statement to make it true. There is less risk of aspiration associated with tube feeding than with syringe and bottle feeding in neonates.

True

Read the following statements and write “True” for true or “False” for false in the blanks provided. If a statement is false, correct the statement to make it true. The most common causes of diarrhea in the orphaned neonate are overfeeding and inappropriate dilutions of milk replacers.

True

Read the following statements and write “True” for true or “False” for false in the blanks provided. If a statement is false, correct the statement to make it true. Foals are born without a menace response.

True

Read the following statements and write “True” for true or “False” for false in the blanks provided. If a statement is false, correct the statement to make it true. The packed cell volume (PCV) of the normal foal during the first 24 hours of life is less than half that of an adult horse.

False

In general, foals have a higher packed cell count (PCV) and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration for the first 24 hours before gradually decreasing

The time period of a puppy or kitten’s life that is considered to be the neonatal period is

a. 1 to 2 weeks. 

b. 2 to 4 weeks. 

c. 4 to 6 weeks. 

d. 6 to 8 weeks.

b. 2 to 4 weeks. 

Neonatal puppies and kittens are unable to regulate their own body temperature during the first _________ weeks of life.

a. 2 

b. 3 

c. 4 

d. 6

a. 2 

Normal developing puppies and kittens will nurse as frequently as every _________ during their first week of life. 

a. 1 to 2 hours 

b. 2 to 4 hours 

c. 3 to 6 hours 

d. 3 to 5 hours

b. 2 to 4 hours 

The age at which puppies and kittens should be able to lift their head is 

a. 1 day. 

b. 2 days. 

c. 3 days. 

d. 4 days.

c. 3 days.

The age at which puppies and kittens begin to crawl in a coordinated manner is 

a. 1 week. 

b. 2 weeks. 

c. 3 weeks. 

d. 4 weeks.

a. 1 week. 

The term neonate encompasses foals 

a. from birth to one month of age. 

b. from one month to three months of age. 

c. from birth to six months of age. 

d. from one month to six months of age.

a. from birth to one month of age. 

Kittens and puppies begin to open their eyes at the age of 

a. 3 to 7 days. 

b. 5 to 10 days. 

c. 7 to 12 days. 

d. 10 to 14 days.

c. 7 to 12 days. 

The external ear canals of puppies and kittens will open at the age of 

a. 10 to 12 days. 

b. 12 to 14 days. 

c. 14 to 16 days. 

d. 16 to 18 days.

c. 14 to 16 days. 

When obtaining blood from a neonate, the percentage of the circulating blood volume obtained over the course of 1 week should not exceed 

a. 5%. 

b. 10%. 

c. 15%. 

d. 20%.

b. 10%. 

If possible a hospitalized foal should be weighed 

a. biweekly. 

b. hourly. 

c. daily. 

d. twice daily.

c. daily. 

Blood can easily be obtained from neonates by using the 

a. cephalic vein. 

b. jugular vein. 

c. saphenous vein. 

d. femoral artery.

b. jugular vein. 

Puppies and kittens are able to stand with good postural reflexes at the end of week 

a. 2. 

b. 3. 

c. 4. 

d. 5.

b. 3. 

If a neonatal puppy or kitten weighs 300 g, the maximum volume of blood that can be drawn in the course of 1 week would be 

a. 1.5 cc. 

b. 2.0 cc. 

c. 3.0 cc. 

d. 3.5 cc.

c. 3.0 cc. 

To obtain urine samples in the neonate, 

a. use an ultrasound. 

b. perform cystocentesis. 

c. stimulate the bladder by gently rubbing the genital area with a moistened cotton ball.

d. forcefully express the bladder.

c. stimulate the bladder by gently rubbing the genital area with a moistened cotton ball.

Because neonatal animals have immature kidneys, it is considered normal to find urine with a specific gravity between 

a. 1.010 and 1.015. 

b. 1.012 and 1.020. 

c. 1.015 and 1.025. 

d. 1.020 and 1.030.

b. 1.012 and 1.020. 

Healthy neonatal puppies and kittens born to healthy mothers with good maternal instincts require 

a. routine check-ins every 2–4 hours. 

b. almost no care during the first weeks of life. 

c. frequent handling to ensure proper socialization. 

d. frequent monitoring of interaction between mother and offspring at all times.

b. almost no care during the first weeks of life. 

A neonate is considered hypothermic if at birth the body temperature drops below 

a. 90° F. 

b. 92° F. 

c. 94° F. 

d. 97° F.

c. 94° F. 

When treating hypothermic neonatal puppies, it is important to withhold the administration of oral food until the animal has 

a. audible gut sounds and is appropriately rewarmed. 

b. audible gut sounds and a bowel movement. 

c. no gut sounds but is moderately rewarmed. 

d. no gut sounds but is fully rewarmed.

a. audible gut sounds and is appropriately rewarmed. 

Any disease process or fluid or electrolyte imbalance in neonatal animals will quickly lead to 

a. hypothermia. 

b. colic. 

c. lethargy. 

d. dehydration.

d. dehydration.

The acceptable route(s) of fluid administration in the neonate is/are 

a. IV only. 

b. IV or IO only. 

c. IV, IO, and PO.

d. IV or PO only.

c. IV, IO, and PO.

When administering fluids intraosseously to a neonate, a 20- or 22-gauge needle can be placed in the 

a. proximal tibia or proximal femur. 

b. proximal tibia or distal femur. 

c. distal tibia or distal femur. 

d. distal tibia or proximal femur.

a. proximal tibia or proximal femur. 

____________ in neonatal puppies and kittens can be the cause of seizures. 

a. Dehydration 

b. Neonatal isoerythrolysis 

c. Malnutrition 

d. Hypoglycemia

d. Hypoglycemia

Dextrose solutions should never be administered _________, as they may cause tissue damage. 

a. intravenously 

b. subcutaneously 

c. intraosseously 

d. Intraperitoneally

b. subcutaneously 

Occasionally a mare will develop a problem in late-term pregnancy. These mares are referred to as 

a. primiparous mares. 

b. high-risk mares. 

c. late-term mares. 

d. problem mares.

b. high-risk mares. 

The average gestational length for the mare is 

a. 200 days.

b. 240 days. 

c. 300 days. 

d. 340 days.

d. 340 days.

The veterinarian will perform a rectal examination and transrectal ultrasound on a pregnant mare at approximately 

a. 15 days and 30 days. 

b. 15 days, 30 days, and 90 days. 

c. 30 days and 90 days. 

d. 30 days, 90 days, and 120 days.

b. 15 days, 30 days, and 90 days. 

During the first week of life, healthy foals 

a. socialize with other foals intermittently. 

b. keep a distance of approximately 3–15 feet from the mare unless nursing.

c. nurse often and stay within close proximity of the mare.

d. be quiet, sleepy, and uninterested in anything but the mare.

c. nurse often and stay within close proximity of the mare.

Mares often foal 

a. mid-morning. 

b. in the afternoon. 

c. in the early evening. 

D. at night

D. at night

Agitation, pacing, turning and biting at sides, and posturing to urinate or defecate are signs of which stage of labor in the mare? 

a. Stage 1 

b. Stage 2 

c. Stage 3 

d. Stage 4

a. Stage 1 

Sweating around the shoulders of a mare in labor is indicative of 

a. dystocia. 

b. foaling within 30 minutes. 

c. colic. 

d. Overheating.

b. foaling within 30 minutes. 

The mare will pass her placenta during _________ of labor. 

a. Stage 1 

b. Stage 2 

c. Stage 3 

d. Stage 4

c. Stage 3 

When performing a physical examination on a neonate, the use of a(n) _________ with a 2-cm bell is helpful.

Pediatric Stethoscope

When a neonate is born, hair will be present on most of the body, excluding the _________. 

Ventral Abdomen

The only motor skills present in a neonatal puppy or kitten are ______, ______, _______, and distress _______.

Crawling, Suckling, Purring, and Vocalization

Urination and defecation of neonates is initiated by the bitch or queen licking the ______ area.

Urogenital