Neonatal Development/Care of Puppies, Kittens, and Foals

Question 1

the window of time characterized by various transition periods such as neonatal period, weaning and maturation

Answer 1

Postparturient Period

Question 2

Pediatric stethoscopes have a ___ bell

Answer 2

2 cm

Question 3

Normal for neonatal puppies/kittens to have hair on most of their body except ______.

Answer 3

ventral abdomen

Question 4

Normal neonatal puppies/kittens have ____ + ____ skin on their ventral abdomen.

Answer 4

hairless + dark pink

Question 5

Bluish skin indicates _______ in neonatal puppies/kittens.

Answer 5

cyanosis

Question 6

Dark red skin indicates ______ in neonatal puppies/kittens.

Answer 6

sepsis

Question 7

the bulging of eyes from behind closed eyelids in neonates
Abnormal formation of nose + external ears

Answer 7

Neonatal Ophthalmia

Question 8

Flattening or malformations in the chest of neonatal puppies/kittens may indicate ______.

Answer 8

Pectus excavatum

Question 9

chest wall deformity characterized by a concave depression of the sternum

Answer 9

Pectus excavatum

Question 10

Normal abdomens for puppies are _____ and _____ for kittens. It’s abnormal to see _____, ______, and _____.

Answer 10

Normal abdomens for puppies are MILDLY PUDGY and LEAN for kittens. It’s abnormal to see BLOATING, ABDOMINAL WALL DEFECTS, and PERSISTENT URACHUS.

Question 11

During a neonatal physical exam, the genitals/anus are checked for _____.

Answer 11

Patency

Question 12

the reflex in which a puppy or kitten tries to suck or chew on a finger (should be present at birth)

Answer 12

Suckling Reflex

Question 13

the reflex in which a puppy or kitten will press its head against a bowed hand (should be present at birth)

Answer 13

Pressing Reflex

Question 14

the reflex in which a puppy or kitten will “roll up” and adduct its hind legs when held by the head (present until age 3-4 days)

Answer 14

Flexor Tone

Question 15

the reflex in which a puppy or kitten will stretch its back and hind legs when held by the head (present after age 4 days)

Answer 15

Extensor Tone

Question 16

the reflex in which forcefully rubbing a healthy puppy or kitten in the lumbar region will result in vocalization and great activity

Answer 16

Lumbar Reflex

Question 17

the reflex in which a puppy or kitten in dorsal recumbency has the toe of a hindlimb pinched and they abduct the opposite hindlimb (present until 3 weeks of age)

Answer 17

Extensor Reflex

Question 18

the reflex in which a puppy or kitten in dorsal recumbency has their head bent to one side and they stretch their legs on that side while bending the legs on the opposite side (present until 3 weeks of age)

Answer 18

Magnus Reflex

Question 19

the reflex in which a puppy or kitten held by the thorax has head bent toward one side and those limbs stretch OR head is bent dorsally and front limbs stretch while hindlimbs abduct (present until 3 weeks of age)

Answer 19

Tonic Neck Reflexes

Question 20

the reflex in which a puppy or kitten is made to stand on one limb, moved horizontally, and the supporting limb will jump to maintain support for the body (already present at age 2-4 days)

Answer 20

Hopping Reflex

Question 21

the reflex in which a patient urinates or defecates when the associated region is stimulated with a moist cloth or cotton (present until age 3-4 weeks)

Answer 21

Anogenital Reflex

Question 22

the reflex in which a patient blinks in response to a light tap on the medial or lateral canthus (present as soon as eyes are open)

Answer 22

Palpebral Reflex

Question 23

the reflex in which a patient retracts the eyeball and blinks in response to touching the cornea (present as soon as eyes are open)

Answer 23

Corneal Reflexes

Question 24

the reflex in which a patient blinks when a threatening gesture is made toward the eye being evaluated (usually present age 10-14 weeks but can be as early as 2 weeks)

Answer 24

Menace Reflex

Question 25

When do the testicles descend in kittens vs puppies?

Answer 25

Kittens = born descended Puppies = 6-8 wks

Question 26

Puppies and kittens can lift their head by day ____.

Answer 26

3

Question 27

Puppies/kittens can crawl in a coordinated manner at week _____.

Answer 27

2

Question 28

Puppies/kittens open their eyes at _____ days.

Answer 28

7-12

Question 29

Puppies/kittens' external ear canals open at _____ days.

Answer 29

14-16

Question 30

Birth weight is doubled by: _____ days for kittens _____ days for puppies

Answer 30

7-10 days > kittens 10-12 days > puppies

Question 31

Puppies/kittens can stand by week _____.

Answer 31

3

Question 32

_____ and _____ antibodies are absorbed during the first 24 hours for puppies and 16 hours for kittens

Answer 32

IgG and IgA

Question 33

the measurement used to indicate hydration levels and kidney function

Answer 33

Urine Specific Gravity (aka urine concentration)

Question 34

Urine specific gravity is _____ before 4 weeks and _____ after 4 weeks

Answer 34

Before = 1.012-1.020 After = > 1.020

Question 35

In 1 week, draw no more than ____ circulating blood volume in a healthy puppy/kitten and no more than ____ in a sick neonate.

Answer 35

Healthy = no more than 10% Sick = no more than 5%

Question 36

Radiography is best for _____ in neonatal puppies/kittens

Answer 36

Thoracic studies

Question 37

_____ is tolerated better than radiography in neonatal puppy/kitten diagnostics

Answer 37

Ultrasonography

Question 38

Umbilical remnant is treated with _____.

Answer 38

1% iodine

Question 39

Deworming puppies begins at _____ weeks old and continues at ____ week intervals.

Answer 39

Begins at 2 weeks Continues at 2 week intervals

Question 40

______ is given to puppies to eliminate _____ worms.

Answer 40

Pyrantel pamoate Round worms

Question 41

What 5 neonatal illnesses in puppies/kittens need immediate attention?

Answer 41

1. Hypothermia 2. Dehydration 3. Hypoglycemia 4. Neonatal Isoerythrolysis 5. Malnutrition

Question 42

temporary lack of movement in the intestines due to lack of peristalsis or obstruction

Answer 42

Ileus

Question 43

What is the treatment for hypothermia in puppies/kittens? Give 3 methods

Answer 43

1. Slowly reheat patient 2ºF per hour 2. Admin IV fluids no warmer than 2ºF above body temp 3. Oral admin of warmed LRS + 50% dextrose

Question 44

Why is LRS + 50% dextrose given to hypothermic puppies/kittens?

Answer 44

Supports glycogen stores in liver > helps prevent GI collapse

Question 45

What occurs if a hypothermic puppy/kitten is rewarmed over 4ºF in 1 hour?

Answer 45

Delayed organ failure > death

Question 46

Tacky to dry mucous membranes indicates ____% dehydration in neonatal puppies/kittens

Answer 46

5-7%

Question 47

Dry mucous membranes and decreased skin elasticity indicates ____% dehydration in neonatal puppies/kittens

Answer 47

10%

Question 48

In neonatal puppies/kittens, fluid requirements are _____ and total volume that can be given is _____.

Answer 48

high / low

Question 49

A bolus of ___ mL per ____ g of BW is given to dehydrated puppies/kittens over _____ min.

Answer 49

A bolus of [3.3] mL per [100] g of BW is given to dehydrated puppies/kittens over [5-10] min.

Question 50

The maintenance dose for dehydrated puppies/kittens is ____ mL/kg/hr.

Answer 50

6 mL/kg/hr

Question 51

_____% of the fluid deficit in dehydrated puppies/kittens is added over ____ hours as a part of the fluid replacement therapy

Answer 51

Add 50% of fluid deficit over 6 hours

Question 52

Fluid Deficit = ______________

Answer 52

Fluid Deficit = BW [kg] x % dehydration

Question 53

LRS with ____ of maintenance potassium is used for fluid replacement therapy in puppies/kittens

Answer 53

LRS with 20 mmol/L of maintenance potassium

Question 54

______ is the most common cause of seizures in neonatal puppies/kittens

Answer 54

Hypoglycemia

Question 55

Hypoglycemic serum glucose levels: Canines = Felines =

Answer 55

Canines = <30 mg/dL Felines = <50 mg/dL

Question 56

Hypoglycemia in puppies/kittens is treated by slowly infusing _____ via IV or IO at _____ g/kg

Answer 56

infusing 5-10% dextrose in normal saline at 0.5-1 g/kg

Question 57

an acute, severe hemolytic anemia as a result of maternal antibodies causing an incompatibility reaction

Answer 57

Neonatal Isoerythrolysis (NI)

Question 58

the destruction of RBCs (noun and adjective)

Answer 58

Hemolysis (n) / Hemolytic (adj)

Question 59

a condition in which RBCs are destroyed faster than the body can replace them and results in a low RBC count

Answer 59

Hemolytic Anemia

Question 60

a condition in which RBCs are destroyed faster than the body can replace them and results in increased levels of bilirubin in the bloodstream

Answer 60

Hemolytic Icterus

Question 61

Neonatal isoerythrolysis occurs in type ___ kittens born to type ____ queens.

Answer 61

Type A kittens > Type B queens

Question 62

Give 3 ways NI treated in kittens

Answer 62

1. Remove at risk kittens from queen during first day of life only 2. Foster-nurse by Type A queen 3. Hand-feed kitten milk replacer

Question 63

a condition of neonates that may appear normal at birth but gradually fade and die within two weeks of life

Answer 63

Fading Puppy/Kitten Syndrome

Question 64

List some causes of fading puppy/kitten syndrome

Answer 64

1. Insufficient care + feeding from mother 2. Congenital defects 3. Infectious diseases 4. Parasites 5. Malnutrition

Question 65

A critical neonate is characterized by what 5 things?

Answer 65

1. Anorexia 2. Lethargy 3. Emaciation 4. Birth defects 5. Death

Question 66

term for present at birth

Answer 66

Congenital

Question 67

Give some things to consider when administering medication to pediatric patients (puppies/kittens)

Answer 67

1. Higher total body water (up to 82% of body weight) 2. Less fat 3. Less muscle mass 4. Muscle not well vascularized 5. Lower plasma protein concentration 6. Higher gastric pH 7. Weaker/slower GI peristalsis 8. Lower intestinal blood flow 9. Better intestinal absorption of proteins 10. Intestinal flora not fully developed 11. Blood-brain barrier not fully developed 12. Liver - some enzymes need up to 4 months to develop 13. Kidney - glomerular filtration developed by 3-4 weeks, tubular secretion developed by 6 months

Question 68

The neonatal period for puppies _____ kittens _____ foals _____

Answer 68

Puppies = first 4 weeks of life Kittens = first 4 weeks of life Foals = birth to 1 month

Question 69

foals just before and just after birth

Answer 69

Perinatal

Question 70

The normal equine gestational period is approx. ____ days, but can range between ____ and ____ days.

Answer 70

Normal > ~ 320 days Range > 320-400 days

Question 71

High risk mares are mares at risk or suspected to have _____

Answer 71

placentitis

Question 72

What are 3 clinical signs of placentitis in mares?

Answer 72

1. Vaginal discharge 2. Premature udder development 3. Premature lactation

Question 73

How many stages of equine labor are there?

Answer 73

3

Question 74

How long does each stage of equine labor take?

Answer 74

Stage 1 = 1-4 hours Stage 2 = 30 min Stage 3 = 3-4 hours

Question 75

How can you tell if foaling will occur within 30 minutes?

Answer 75

Sweat on the mare's shoulders

Question 76

The equine placenta is considered retained if it is not delivered in ____ hours.

Answer 76

6 hours

Question 77

a condition characterized by low blood oxygen levels

Answer 77

Hypoxemia

Question 78

a condition characterized by too much carbon dioxide in the blood

Answer 78

Hypercapnia

Question 79

Neonatal foals should be standing within _____.

Answer 79

1-2 hours

Question 80

List some preparturition physical changes that occur in mares

Answer 80

1. Increased udder enlargement 2. Pelvic ligament relaxation over tail head 3. Vulvar softening and elongation 4. Prefoaling secretions (wax aka dried milk) accumulate on teats 5. Increased calcium in the colostrum

Question 81

when a foal does not ingest an adequate amount of colostrum within the first 12-24 hours of life or if the colostrum is of poor quality

Answer 81

Failure of Passive Transfer (FPT)

Question 82

How is FPT treated before and after 24 hours?

Answer 82

Before = NG tube with donor colostrum After = IV admin of donor plasma

Question 83

Neonatal foal IgG levels and FPT: _____________ indicates adequate transfer _____________ indicates FPT

Answer 83

800 mg/dL or greater = adequate transfer 200 mg/dL or less = FPT

Question 84

foals that are delivered at full-term gestational age but present with similar characteristics of premature foals

Answer 84

Dysmature Foals

Question 85

foals that are carried for an extended period past full term and become increasingly abnormal the longer they are in utero

Answer 85

Postterm Foals

Question 86

a condition which results in abnormal behavior, poor nursing ability, and weakness and is associated with other problems, such as sepsis, neonatal gastroenteropathy, and neonatal nephropathy

Answer 86

Neonatal Encephalopathy - aka Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome (NMS) - aka "Dummy Foal"

Question 87

a condition characterized by abnormal GI tract motility and absorption leading to intolerance of enteral nutrition, such as reflux after feeding

Answer 87

Neonatal Gastroenteropathy

Question 88

a condition characterized by renal insufficiency that may resolve or may be too severe for recovery

Answer 88

Neonatal Nephropathy

Question 89

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

Answer 89

Sepsis/Septic Shock

Question 90

when the meconium is impacted in the colon and the foal will display abdominal discomfort such as tail flagging and rolling

Answer 90

Meconium Retention

Question 91

development of acute diarrhea, often caused by an infectious organism (i.e. rotavirus, Salmonella spp., or Clostridium spp.) and requires immediate treatment in an isolated stall

Answer 91

Colitis

Question 92

a condition characterized by an foal's urachus not being closed and leaking urine

Answer 92

Patent Urachus

Question 93

development of an infected joint or growth plate

Answer 93

Septic Arthritis/Septic Physitis