Term
| the single most important predictor of neonatal survival |
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Definition
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Term
| The neonatal development can be divided into specific time periods |
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Definition
| the neonatal period (birth-2 weeks); the transitional period (2-4 weeks); the socialization period (4-12 weeks), and the juvenile period (12 weeks-puberty). During the late socialization period and juvenile period, most puppies and kittens are growing versions of the adult. |
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Term
| What fxns are decreased for the first 3-4 weeks? |
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Definition
| Both hepatic function and renal function |
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Term
| What is problematic in the neonate and a common complicating cause of death? |
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Definition
Thermoregulation is problematic in the neonate and a common complicating cause of death. The shivering reflex and
peripheral vasoconstriction response are not fully developed until at least 1 week. Their
relatively large body surface area of non-cornified skin, plus the lack of insulating fat,
promotes rapid heat loss by conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation. |
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Term
| What is always a concern with a sick neonate? |
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Definition
| Dehydration is always a concern with a sick neonate but skin turgor is not an accurate indicator of hydration |
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Term
| As small birth weight puppies and kittens are often physiologically dysmature, those neonates that are < 25% of the litter average weight, are at high risk for |
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Definition
| hypoglycemia, hypothermia, hypoxia, bacterial septicemia and pneumonia |
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Term
| Why is environmental temperature exposure can be critical to the newborn? |
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Definition
a
healthy newborn can only maintain a body temperature 12° > than that of the
surrounding environment. |
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Term
| Why are newborns extremely susceptible to dehydration? |
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Definition
Neonates are 75% water with a disproportionately large body surface area is covered with non-cornified skin combined with an inability to concentrate their urine. Water turnover is
2-3X that of an adult. Unlike an adult, hydration status cannot be accurately assessed using skin turgor. Estimates of the degree of dehydration must be determined by dryness of the oral mucus membranes and eyes, plus the urine specific gravity. |
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Term
| Determining kitten gender |
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Definition
| Male kitten's perineal region look like a colon ":" and the female's appears as a semi-colon ";". |
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Term
| The heart rate in the neonatal pup |
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Definition
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Term
| The heart rate in the neonatal kitten |
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Definition
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Term
| Volume of replacement formulas for wks 1 - 4 |
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Definition
week 1 60 mls. of formula / pound of body weight
week 2 70 mls. of formula / pound of body weight
week 3 85 mls. of formula / pound of body weight
week 4 100 mls. of formula / pound of body weight
divided into 4 equal feeding for the first week, then 3 feedings for weeks 2 through weaning. The premature pups, weak pups, immature, and most toy breeds will require more frequent feedings.
It is very important you recommend diluting the formula by adding 25% more water for the first 2 days. This adjustment will minimize the diarrhea commonly associated with dietary changes or the client's temptation to overfeed. Green or yellow watery stools are more commonly associated with overfeeding than an unrelated disease. If diarrhea does occur, dilute the formula by adding 33% more water for a couple of days. |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| massaging the thorax to aid in removal of secretions |
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Term
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Definition
| a bluish color of the skin or mm that is usually the result of an increased amt of deoxygenated hemoglobin in the blood |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| a benign tumor that consists of fat cells |
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Term
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Definition
| labored breathing while in an upright position |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| formation in a blood vessel of a clot (thrombus) that breaks loose and is carried by the blood stream to plug another vessel |
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Term
| In addition to the typical questions asked when obtaining a patient history for an ill puppy or kitten, what additional questions should be asked? |
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Definition
Pg 244 Mcurnin
Obtain comphrehensive hx of parents, littermates and other relatives |
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Term
| What is the normal body temp of neonates during the first week of life? |
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Definition
| Body temp at birth ( 94.5 F to 97.3 F) is lower than in adults and rises to 94.7 to 100.1 F during the 1st wk of life |
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Term
| What are some common concerns and disorders in the puppy and kittens? |
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Definition
Hypothermia
Dehydration
Hypoglycemia
Neonatal isoerythrolysis
Malnutrition |
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Term
| What contributes significantly to hypothermia in the neonate? |
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Definition
| Hypoxia contributes significantly to hypothermia so the neonate should be provided with O2 or proper ventilation |
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Term
What are some clinical signs of a hypothermic neonate?
A chilled neonate with a body temp >88 F – |
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Definition
A chilled neonate with a body temp >88 F –
restlessness,
continuous crying,
red mm,
skin cool to touch.
Muscle tone still good,
RR >40 breaths/min,
HR >200 bpm |
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Term
What are some clinical signs of a hypothermic neonate?
A chilled neonate with a body temp 78 - 85 F – |
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Definition
A chilled neonate with a body temp 78 - 85 F –
lethargic and uncoordinated but responsive,
moisture around corners of lips,
HR below 50 bpm
RR <>20 – 25 breaths/min
No abdominal sounds heard
Metabolism impaired, resulting hypoglycemia |
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Term
What are some clinical signs of a hypothermic neonate?
A chilled neonate with a body temp below 70 F |
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Definition
A chilled neonate with a body temp below 70 F –
Neonate appears to be dead
If extreme measures of arousal result in a response, tx may be attempted |
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Term
| How to tx hypothermia in the neonate? |
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Definition
| tx consists of slowly (2 F/hr)reheating the pt by providing the appropriate ambient temp and humidity. Warm IV fluids can be given but at mo more than 2 F above body temp. |
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Term
| When can the hypothermic neonate be given anything orally? |
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Definition
| when the pt has audible gut sounds and is moderately rewarmed |
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Term
| What are some problems that occur if a puppy or kitten becomes hypothermic? |
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Definition
| Gut motility slows w/ a decreasing body temp, ultimately causing ileus. When hypothermic neonates are tube fed, the milk replacer is either regurgitated and aspirated resulting in pneumonia, or the ingesta ferments, leading to bloat |
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Term
| Define hypoglycemia in the neonate |
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Definition
Hypoglycemia – lower than normal levels of blood glucose resulting in lack of fuel to the brain and other organ systems. Risk is great because the neonate is born with little glycogen stores and has poor gluconeogenesis in the liver. As long as healthy, can maintain normal BG for up to 24 hrs w/o nursing.
Failure to suckle results in hypoglycemia after 24 – 36 hrs as a result of the depletion of hepatic stores |
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Term
| list some of the clinical signs of hypoglycemia |
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Definition
Variety of clinical signs in the hypoglycemic pt (serum glucose <30 mg/dl) –
Tremors
Crying
Irritability
Increased appetite
Dullness
Lethargy
Coma
Stupor
seizures |
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Term
| Why are puppies and kittens susceptible to hypoglycemia? |
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Definition
Risk is great because the neonate is born with little glycogen stores and has poor gluconeogenesis in the liver. As long as healthy, can maintain normal BG for up to 24 hrs w/o nursing.
Failure to suckle results in hypoglycemia after 24 – 36 hrs as a result of the depletion of hepatic stores |
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Term
| What can be given orally to counteract hypoglycemia? |
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Definition
| Dextrose 1 – 2 mls of a 5% to 15% dextrose soln. Dextrose should never be given SQ because may cause tissue damage. |
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Term
| Describe Fading Puppy or Kitten Syndrome and list some of the clinical signs |
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Definition
Characterized by anorexia, lethargy, emaciation, death, and birth defects
May be stillborn or born small, weak, and unable to nurse, resulting in dehydration, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, and death within the first few days of life. Other neonates appear healthy during the first few wks of life; become weak, depressed and anorectic; and die of starvation at time of weaning |
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Term
| Why do neonates rapidly lose heat? |
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Definition
| The shivering reflex and peripheral vasoconstriction response are not fully developed until at least 1 week. Their relatively large body surface area of non-cornified skin, plus the lack of insulating fat, promotes rapid heat loss by conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation. The vulnerable young must relay on the ambient temperature, the dam's mothering instincts, and littermates for warmth. Environmental temperature exposure can be critical as a healthy newborn can only maintain a body temperature 12° > than that of the surrounding environment |
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Term
| At what age to puppies and kittens begin to open their eyes? |
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Definition
| Generally the eyelids open at 10-14 days revealing a cloudy cornea which clears within 24 hours. For the first 3 weeks vision is poor. The corneal reflex is present as soon as the eyes open however the menace reflex is poor to absent for the first 3 weeks. Although the pupillary light reflexes are present within 24 hours of the lid separation, they are difficult to evaluate until about 21 days of age. Reflex lacrimation begins when the eyelids open. The true iris color is complete by week 8. |
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Term
| At what age should the umbilical cord fall off? |
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Definition
| The umbilical cord should be visualized checking for evidence of infection/inflammation and should dry up and fall off by day 3. |
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Term
| Where does the neonate obtain passive maternal immunity |
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Definition
| 95% of the neonate's passive maternal immunity is derived from the colostrum within the first 24 hours of nursing |
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Term
| Why would young puppies cry? |
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Definition
| Puppies cry when hungry, neglected (separated or culled), in pain, and especially when cold |
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Term
| At what age can you start weaning a puppy? |
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Definition
The earliest you can start weaning a puppy is 3 weeks for a normal breed or 4 weeks for toy breeds. The food gruel-like consistency is derived from water or milk; dry puppy food / water 1:3; canned puppy food / water 2:1; cow's milk or milk-replacer instead of water.
Use a shallow disk, warm the mixture, then gently push their face in it or finger feed them. Gradually decrease the amount of dry food until at 6 weeks >50 % of nutrition is
dry kibble and by 7-8 weeks they are completely weaned. Potential early weaning issues are while is less stressful to the bitch, it is more stressful to the puppy plus increases the likelihood of littermate separation- behavioral problems |
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Term
| At what age can you start weaning a kitten? |
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Definition
Kittens can be started on the weaning process at 4 weeks of age. The food gruel-like consistency is derived from dry kitten food / milk (water) 1:3; or canned kitten food / milk (water) 2:1.
Cow's milk or milk-replacer should be considered instead of water. Use a shallow disk, warm the mixture, then smear on their face (avoid the nose) or feet. Gradually decrease the amount of dry food until at 6 weeks they are completely weaned. Potential early weaning issues are while is less stressful to the queen it is more stressful to the kitten plus increases the likelihood of littermate separation- behavioral problems i.e., slow learning, cautious / timid, and aggression. |
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Term
| Care for older dogs and cats should focus on what topics? |
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Definition
Owner education
Dz prevention strategies
Detection of medical and behavioral problems at the earliest possible stage when the prognosis is better and numerous tx options still exist |
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Term
| What are decubital ulcers, what causes them, and how can you treat them? |
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Definition
Bedsores – develop over bony prominences as a result of continuous pressure and damage to the overlying skin
Complicate recovery and can also be a source of sepsis which can lead to the demise of the pt.
To treat – thoroughly clean with surgical scrub. Surgical debridement of necrotic tissue may be needed. After cleaning, completely dry. Soak area 2 – 4 times daily with a mild astringent to keep area dry. Area of the sore should be padded to prevent further injury but sore itself should remain exposed to the air to prevent retention of moisture |
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Term
| What are some of the signs that an animal is in pain? |
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Definition
Signs of pain categorized as physiologic or behavioral.
Physiologic –
Increased HR and BP
Oncreased RR
Vocalization
Behavioral –
General restlessness
Decreased appetite
Not sleeping
Resenting handling
Not assuming a normal position
Clinical signs most commonly reported –
Tachycardia
Increased RR
Restlessness
Increased temp
Increased BP
Abnormal posturing
Inappetence
Aggression
Frequent movement
Facial expression
Trembling
Depression
insomnia |
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Term
| What in the body are affected if pain is not controlled? |
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Definition
Most, if not all, of the body’s major systems are affected
Increased cortisol levels may interfere with wound healing and reduce the immune system’s ability to work effectively
Increased sympathiomemetic nervous system activity may result in increased catabolism and metabolic rate, anorexia, ileus and atelectasis
Cardiovascular – increased heart rate and BP, irregular heart rhythms and coagulopathies |
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Term
| In addition to the use of medications, list some ways that pain can be treated. |
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Definition
Nursing care: bedding, nutrition
Physiotherapy: massage, ice, heat
PT: therapeutic and routine therapy
Acupuncture
Neutraceuticals: so called cartilage protectants
Analgesics: pain meds |
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Term
| What are the basic principles that are important when managing pain? |
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Definition
Multimodal therapy – the use of multiple pain therapies to control pain, result is synergistic, meaning it has a better effect that any one therapy alone can achieve
Pre-emptive therapy – the use of analgesics (pain-relieving) meds prior to the onset of pain (ie before sx). The result is a lower overall level of pain because the pain response is dampened |
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Term
| What 3 classes of drugs may be used to help alleviate pain? |
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Definition
Most commonly used are:
Alpha 2 agonists such as medetomidine, xylazine
Opiods such as morphine, fentanyl, tramadol
NSAIDS (Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs) - lessen pain by reducing inflammation and are used to treat both acute and chronic pain |
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Term
| What are some side effects that may be seen with long term use of corticosteroids? |
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Definition
| Damage to kidney or liver and GI ulceration |
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Term
| Assessment of pain in an animal depends on what factors? |
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Definition
- Knowledge of the degree of pain associated with a particular sx procedure or illness
- familiarity with species/breed
- recognition of the signs of stress and pain
- individual behavior |
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