Neonatal Hypoxia in Animals

Neonatal hypoxia in animals is the type of brain damage due to lack of oxygen to the brain before or shortly after birth.

Etiology

• Premature birth because of immaturity of lung in animals.
• Placental dysfunction or occlusion of umbilicus / torsion of umbilicus during second stage of parturition leads inadequate oxygen transport to the fetus.
• Prolonged parturition time – Intra partum hypoxia – mainly in first time parturition animals – cause weak calf syndrome – Decrease blood pH, pO₂, HCO₃^– and increase lactate and PCO2 level – which increase fetal movement inside the uterus and void muconium and affected neonates at the time of birth muconium staining on rectum will notice.
• Premature expulsion of placenta in all the species – dystocia causing malpresentation.
• Hypovolemia – Inadequate placental blood supply – due to early serving of umbilical card immediately after birth – mostly in foals.
• Aspiration of amniotic fluid.

Clinical Signs

• Transient & prolonged tachypnea
• Flaring of nostril
• Open mouth breathing
• Exaggerated rib movement
• Poor sucking and swallowing reflex
• Sub normal temperature
• Muscle tremor
• Brown color rectal muconium staining

Treatment & Management

• Clearing the airway patten by extending the head and clearing nostril mucus.
• Artificial ventilation by oxygen supplementation and chest compression.
• Administration of 5% Sodium bicarbonate at 200 ml IV for respiratory acidosis.
• Administration of respiratory stimulant (Doxapram Hydrochloride).
• Providing warm, force feeding of colostrum and fluid therapy.