Aspartate amino transferase (AST) – increased as for CK, also with liver
disease (often too acutely fatal in neonates)
Bile acids-elevated in first week of life. Useful to assess liver function.
Urea – elevated with dehydration/haemoconcentration,
(ruptured bladder in neonate) and abnormal renal function.
uroperitoneum
Creatinine – Can be elevated in the first 48 hours of life and not reflect renal
pathology. Premature placental separation will also cause increase in
creatinine. If azotaemia persists, serum electrolytes should be examined.
Comparisons of serum and peritoneal fluid levels are useful in diagnosing
uroperitoneum (peritoneal fluid concentration 1.5-2 x serum/plasma
concentration).
Glucose – Hypoglycaemia (<4mmol/l) most likely indicates inadequate milk
intake and is an important complication of any disease process putting the
foal off suck. If samples are going to an external lab then they must be
collected into fluoride oxalate tubes or be tested ‘stable side’ using a portable
glucometer (available from any chemist).
Lactate –Lactate can be measured by some labs and also with several ‘stable
side’ machines. Lactate represents the degree of anaerobic metabolism that
has occurred and is an excellent guide to prognosis, not only the initial value,
but how lactate values respond to your initial treatment.
Electrolytes
Significant electrolyte disturbances can occur with renal dysfunction, bladder
rupture and diarrhoea. Normal ranges are similar to adult levels and values
should be monitored if possible in serious disease and in all foals showing
seizure activity.
Urinalysis
Foals produce large volumes of dilute urine SG 1.001-1.015. Is Is more acidic
than adult urine and may contain proteins during the first 24-36 hours of life
due to colostrum intake and excretion of these proteins.
Faecal analysis
Faeces can be collected for culture, clostridial enterotoxin assessment,
presence of cryptosprodia and rota virus (and possibly Corona) antigen
detection.
Diagnostic Imaging
With the now widely available portable DR systems and small portable yet
high quality ultrasound machines, it is relatively easy to perform radiographic
and ultrasonographic survey evaluations on the farm.
15-‐18
February
2016
East
London
Convention
Centre,
East
London,
South
Africa
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