TABLE 63-13.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Conditions in the Sick Neonatal Ruminant
| Condition | Diagnostic Findings | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Hypothermia | Body temperature < 37° C (99° F) | Warm neonate slowly (2° F per hour) using dry circulating air, blankets, heat lamps, and warmed intravenous fluids or warmed oral colostrum. |
| Hypoglycemia | Blood glucose <60 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) | 500 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) (10 milliliters per kilogram [mL/kg] 5% solution) dextrose intravenously over several minutes Repeated dosing may be necessary Once corrected, maintain glucose administration at least 250 mg/kg/day until neonate accepts food or begin parenteral nutrition |
| Metabolic acidosis | Base deficit >10 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) Blood pH <7.25 |
Intravenous sodium bicarbonate (1.3%): Milliequivalent bicarbonate (mEq HCO3) = Base deficit × body weight × 0.5, or Empirical treatment with 1–2 mEq/kg |
| Hypoxemia | Saturation of arterial oxygen (SaO2) <90% Partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) <70 mm Hg |
Nasal insufflation with 5–10 liters per hour (L/hr) oxygen or ventilation |
| Septicemia | Blood culture positive Elevated or reduced white blood cell count Fibrinogen > 500 mg/dL >2% band neutrophils |
Initiate broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics Consider plasma transfusion Maintain body temperature, hydration, acid–base balance, and blood glucose Provide adequate nutrition |
From Wolfe BA, Lamberski NL: Approaches to management of neonatal nondomestic ungulates. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 15(2):61–72, 2012.56