Equine neonatology

Question 1

What is the normal rectal temperature range of a foal?

Answer 1

37.2 - 38.9 degrees celsius

Question 2

What is the normal heart rate of a foal at birth?

Answer 2

40 - 80 bpm

Question 3

What is the normal heart rate of a week old foal?

Answer 3

60 - 100 bpm

Question 4

What is the normal respiratory rate of a foal at birth?

Answer 4

45 - 60 bpm

Question 5

What is the normal respiratory rate of a week old foal?

Answer 5

35 - 50 bpm

Question 6

After how long should a foal pass its meconium?

Answer 6

Within the first 24 hours of life

Question 7

How long after birth should a foal urinate?

Answer 7

5 - 10 hours (less in foals)

Question 8

How long after birth should a foal begin nuring?

Answer 8

Within 2 hours

Question 9

What are the most common signs of dysmaturity in the foal?

Answer 9

Low birth wt, short/ silky coat, floppy ears, domed head, weak/ long to rise, tendon laxity, ALD (incomplete ossification of carpus/ tarsus), organ failure if severe

Question 10

What virus can cause diarrhoea in the foal in the first month of life?

Answer 10

Rotavirus

Question 11

What bacterial species can cause diarrhoea in the neonate?

Answer 11

Clostridia, campylobacter, Lawsonia, Rhodococcus equi

Question 12

What antibiotic is used to treat rhodococcus in the foal?

Answer 12

Rifampin in combination (eg + doxycycline)

Question 13

Which pathogen can cause equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE) in the 3-11m foal?

Answer 13

Lawsonia intracellularis

Question 14

What clinical signs may be associated with EPE in the weaning foal?

Answer 14

Reduced appetite and weight loss, depression, oedema, poor body condition, diarrhoea, pyrexia

Question 15

Define failure of passive transfer.

Answer 15

<4g/L circulating immunoglobulin (>8g/L is the normal)

Question 16

What diagnostic mechanisms can be used to diagnose failure of passive transfer?

Answer 16

ELISA, zinc trbidity, glutaraldehyde, SG of colostrum

Question 17

What treatments should be considered for FPT?

Answer 17

<24hrs feed colostrum, >24hrs plasma infusiWhaon

Question 18

What sepsis score should be considered positive for foals?

Answer 18

> 11

Question 19

What clinical parameters would be diagnostic of SIRS?

Answer 19

Temperature <37.2 or >39.2
Heart rate >120bpm
PCO2 increased on decreased
Increase or decrease in WBCC (significant)

Question 20

What clinical presentation my be suspicious of neonatal sepsis?

Answer 20

Off-suck, lethargic, increased RR and effort, severe lameness/ umbilical swelling, pyrexia, congested mm, hypopyon, diarrhoea, meningitis signs

Question 21

Define SCIDS

Answer 21

Genetic lymphopenia (arabs/ dales?) <1x10^9/L

Question 22

At what age may a ruptured bladder present?

Answer 22

2-3 days old

Question 23

What type of azotaemia is seen in foals with a ruptured bladder?

Answer 23

Post-renal

Question 24

You are presented with a depressed, recumbent 2 day old foal with apparent colic signs and hard faeces. What diagnosis may you suspect?

Answer 24

Meconium impaction

Question 25

How could you confirm a diagnosis of ruptured bladder?

Answer 25

Abdominocentesis, fluid creatinine is greater than plasma (suggestive of uroabdomen)

Question 26

What are the most common causes of neonatal sepsis in the foal?

Answer 26

Ecoli, beta streps, staphs, salmonella, clostridum

Question 27

What sedatives can you use in a foal <4 weeks old and >4 weeks old?

Answer 27

<4 weeks - Diazepam IV/ Midazolam IV or IM (+/- butorphanol) - 15-30 minutes of recumbency >4 weeks - Xylazine/ Romifidine

Question 28

Describe what happens with a foal when it is born..

Answer 28

``` Time to sternal 10 minutes Time to standing 60 minutes Time to nurse 110 minutes Urination within 5-10 hours Meconium within 24 hours ```

Question 29

Aim for daily weight gain...

Answer 29

1-1.5Kg/ day

Question 30

How do we assess sepsis?

Answer 30

Sepsis scoring: 1. Historical - high risk and gestational age 2. Clinical exam - petechial/ scleral injection, pyrexia, hypotonia/ coma/depression, uveitis/ d+/joint effusion/ wounds 3. Haematology - n# count, band n#, toxic n#, fibrinogen/ SAA 4. Serum Biochemistry - BG/ IgG

Question 31

What routes of infection can cause neonatal septicaemia?

Answer 31

Ingestion Inhalation Umbilical infection

Question 32

What types of pathogens are usually associated with neonatal septicaemia? What drug types would be used as a first line?

Answer 32

G-ve | Gentamicin/ amikacin, 3/4th gen cephalosporins (ceftiofur/ cefquinome), TMPS

Question 33

Neonatal maladjustment syndrome (+clinical signs)

Answer 33

Dummy foals - due to hypoxia before or during parturition. 1. Mild - Off suck, wandering/ star gazing, lost affinity for mare 2. Severe - Seizures, central blindness * **REMEMBER** Signs may not occur until first 4-5 days

Question 34

Describe the causes of neonatal diarrhoea relating to their occurence post foaling..

Answer 34

1. <2 weeks - NMS, necrotising enterocolitis, foal heat, Rotavirus, C diff, C perfringens, Cryptosporidium 2. 2-8 weeks - Rotavirus, Crypto, strongyloides 3. >8 weeks - Strogyloides, Crypto, Lawsonia 4. All ages - Salmonella, Nutritional, irritants