Equine neonatology Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is the major risk factor for neonatal septicaemia?
Failure of passive transfer
What is SCID?
Severe combined immunodeficiency
Failure to produce functional T and B cells
What breeds are predisposed to SCID?
Arabs
What is the most common type of infection horses with SCID get?
Respiratory
Adenovirus, Pneumocystis carinii
How is SCID diagnosed?
Persistent lymphopenia
Post-mortem
What is the prognosis for SCID?
Hopeless - fatal
Most die before 6 m/o
What condition do ‘dummy foals’ have?
Neonatal maladjustment syndrome
AKA Perinatal asyphyxia syndrome
AKA Hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy
What causes ‘dummy foals’ or neonatal maladajustment syndrome? When do these clinical signs begin?
Hypoxic encephalopathy - interrupted supply of oxygen in utero or during birth
May present delayed - 12-24 hours old
Dummy foals/neonatal maladjustment syndrome has different severities and the prognosis varies. If the foal has cerebral oedema and seizures, how are these treated/controlled?
Cerebral oedema - mannitol
Seizure control - diazepam, phenobarbitone
What causes neonatal isoerthrolysis?
Aa + Qa negative mares
Mated to positive stallion
Neonatal isolerythrolysis causes haemolytic anaemia from 24 hours old. How is it diagnosed?
Coombs tests - Abs on RBCs
How can neonatal isoerythrolysis be treated?
If PCV <12-15% - blood transfusion
If PCV >15% - remove colostrum, supportive care (ABs, anti-ulcer meds, fluids, glucose)
When does foal heat diarrhoea occur?
5-12 days old
Mares first oestrus
What treatment can be given for foal heat diarrhoea?
Often self-limiting
Can give intestinal protectants/probiotics - kaolin, bisthmus
Clostridial diarrhoea in foals causes necrotising enteritis and foal smelling faeces. Which species are most commonly isolated?
Cl difficiles
Cl perfringens
Both commensal - seen in septicaemic foals or outbreaks
How is clostridial diarrhoea treated in foals?
Metronidazole, penicillin
Isolation
Cryptosporidium is a potentially zoonotic protozoa in foals. How is it diagnosed?
Faecal oocytes by floatation
Or direct FA test
What is the treatment for Cryptosporidium?
Supportive therapy - no specific drugs
Good hygiene/management
What age of foals are affected by Rotavirus?
Foals up to 1 month old
How is Rotavirus diagnosed?
Electron microscopy, ELISA
How is Rotavirus treated?
Supportive therapy
How can Rotavirus be prevented?
Vaccine pregnant mares? Phenolic disinfectants (bleach ineffective)
Diarrhoea in foals is often caused by Rotavirus, but can sometimes be caused by Adenovirus or Coronavirus. Which foals are affected by Adeno/Coronaviruses?
Immunocompromised only
How can Rhodococcus equi affect the foals GI system?
Intra-abdominal abscesses
Cause fever and colic
(Less common than respiratory form)
