ANSWERS

1. Define paediatrics.
   The branch of medicine relating to the young, including their development and care, and diseases which may affect them.
2. What is the term used to describe the return of the reproductive tract to its non-pregnant state following parturition?
   The puerperium.
3. What are the 3 main causes of fading puppy/kitten syndrome?
   • Dehydration.
   • Hypoglycaemia
   • Hypothermia.
4. After parturition, by how much should the dam's food be increased?
   • Week 1 - 1.5 x maintenance.
   • Week 2 - 2 x maintenance.
   • Week 3 plus - 3 x maintenance.
5. At what age should puppies and kittens first be wormed?
   2 and a half to 3 weeks of age.
6. What type of diet is ideal for nursing queens and bitches and why?
   A proprietary growth food. Feeding a high quality complete food will ensure that optimum levels of all nutrient groups are met.
7. List criteria important to the diet of a lactating queen or bitch.
   • The food must be palatable.
   • It must provide sufficient energy to meet her increased requirements.
   • It must provide optimum levels of all nutrient groups.
   • The protein content should be of a high biological value.
8. At what age may weaning commence?
   From 3 weeks, this is a gradual process.
9. Describe the process of weaning in puppies.
   • Weaning begins once the litter's eyes have opened - usually at about 3-4 weeks of age.
   • A suitable food designed for growth should be made into a gruel and warmed to body temperature.
   • Gradually decrease the amount of water until the puppies are on solids.
   • By 5 weeks of age, the pups should be eating 5 meals a day, with the bitch separated from them for short intervals to accustom them to being without her and to feed from the food bowl.
10. Why should cow's milk not be given to puppies and kittens?
    It has a high lactose content which may cause diarrhoea and lead to dehydration.
11. What signs may indicate that all is not well with the neonates?
    • Excessive vocalisation.
    • Not gaining weight.
      During the first few weeks of life it is normal for neonates to just eat and sleep.
12. What criteria are important in raising a healthy litter?
    • The health status and nutrition of the dam.
    • A warm environment with a suitable nest (neonates are poikilothermic and unable to control their body temperature).
    • Early ingestion of colostrum to provide the immunoglobulins necessary for passive immunity.
13. How can thermoregulation of the litter be controlled?
    • Birth should take place in a warm environment.
    • Keep the litter dry.
    • Provide a well insulated nest box with an additional heat source such as an electric heat pad.
    • Ensure that food intake is adequate.
    • Encourage huddling which reduces the overall surface area.
      Neonates have very little subcutaneous fat and consequently their insulation is poor. Heat loss is greater in smaller animals since the surface area to body unit weight is greater.
14. How much more energy (on a per kg basis) do growing puppies require compared to adults?
    Twice as much.
15. Why is food limited feeding considered preferential over free choice feeding for large breed puppies?
    Free choice feeding can lead to excessive dietary energy. This may support a growth rate that is too fast for proper skeletal development. In addition to skeletal disorders, a predisposition to juvenile obesity may result.