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==Description==

==Description==

Neonatal isoerythrolysis is a disease of humans and domestic animals and has been observed in newborn cats, horses, pigs, cows and rarely in dogs. It is characterised by immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia due to ingestion of maternal colostral antibody directed against surface antigens on neonatal red blood cells.  The maternal antibodies develop in response to specific foreign blood group antigens during previous pregnancies, unmatched transfusions, and from Babesia and Anaplasma vaccinations in cattle.  

Neonatal isoerythrolysis is a disease of humans and domestic animals and has been observed in newborn cats, horses, pigs, cows and rarely in dogs. It is characterised by immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia due to ingestion of maternal colostral antibody directed against surface antigens on neonatal red blood cells.  The maternal antibodies develop in response to specific foreign blood group antigens during previous pregnancies and unmatched transfusions.

==Pathogenesis==

==Pathogenesis==

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

Treatment in foals depends on rapid identification of sick foals and prevention of suckling the dam for 48-72 hours. If foals are less than 24 hours old at the time of diagnosis, it should be muzzled and fed supplemental milk. As the foal's intestine becomes impermeable to absorption of colostral antibodies by 24 hours of age, prevention of nursing until the foal is 30 hours of age should be sufficient.

Treatment in foals depends on rapid identification of sick foals and prevention of suckling the dam for 48-72 hours. If foals are less than 24 hours old at the time of diagnosis, it should be muzzled and fed supplemental milk. As the foal's intestine becomes impermeable to absorption of colostral antibodies by 24 hours of age, prevention of nursing until the foal is 30 hours of age should be sufficient. The mare should be milked every two hours during this period to ensure continued milk production. Separation of the mare and foal is not recommended as this may lead to unnecessary stress of the compromised foal.

 

A blood transfusion should be considered if the anaemia is severe (PCV less than 15%) or the foal is weak and shocked. The best donor of blood for transfusion is the dam, but this means that the serum containing the alloantibodies must be removed ('washing' of the red blood cells). This is achieved by mixing the mare's blood with saline and performing repeated centrifugation. If washed red blood cells from the mare are not available, blood from an acceptable blood-typed donor horse may be used.  

==Prevention==

==Prevention==

==References==

==References==