Pocket Handbook of Small Animal Medicine by Sturgess Kit

Author:Sturgess, Kit
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Manson Publishing Ltd
Published: 2012-06-25T16:00:00+00:00

Evaluating the neonate

History: include a breeding history of the household; kennel or cattery management (hygiene, worming, vaccination and so on); health of the dam during the pregnancy; health of the remainder of the litter; age of the puppy/kitten; and the pattern of the illness to date.

Clinical examination is difficult. It becomes more rewarding as the patient gets older and begins to develop adult responses. Neonates show limited responses to disease, initially becoming agitated and crying, progressing to inactivity, hypothermia and loss of the suckling reflex. They deteriorate rapidly with severe infection. Weight gain can be a sensitive indicator of developing problems. Failure to gain weight over any 24 hour period should be investigated.

Systematic approach to examination is essential.

External features: hair coat (amount, condition, parasites); hydration; signs of injury; umbilicus; dewclaws; (docking site); discharge from nose; urine staining (patent urachus); diarrhoea/rectal patency; congenital malformation.

Eyes: swelling under lids indicates pus (often Staphylococcus species); eyes open between 5 and 14 (cats) and 10 and 14 (dogs) days, pupillary light response present within 24 hours of the eyes opening, mild corneal cloudiness usually present as eyes open.

Ears: external auditory meatus opens between 6 and 14 days; check for mites; middle ear infection (bulging tympanum).

Mouth: mucous membrane colour; evidence of cleft palate.

Thorax: regular rhythm; heart murmurs may be functional (usually soft); lung sounds difficult to distinguish but should be present; check symmetry/malformation of the thoracic cavity.

Abdomen: should feel full, but not swollen or tight; liver and spleen not palpable; intestines soft, mobile and non-painful; urinary bladder freely movable.

Neurological assessment: alertness, response to stimulation, suckle reflex; other reflexes appropriate to age; gait (walking from 4 weeks old); posture. Flexor and extensor dominance appears more variable in kittens than puppies.

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