Physical Exam

Family Friends Pets We Want All Our Loved Ones To Be Healthy

Objectives Explain why physical exams are important to the health of the pet. Identify the “vital signs.” Be able to perform a physical exam and monitor their own animal.

Do any of you have pets? Have you ever gone to the veterinary clinic? What does a veterinarian do when you take your pet in for its yearly appointment?

Why Is a Physical Exam Important? Allows you to find signs of sickness that are not obvious Helps you to determine the extent of the injury or illness

Physical exam During a physical you look at all the body systems and how they are working –All body systems are related in function –If one doesn’t work properly it may limit what you can do medically –A veterinarian may pick up on something that the owners didn’t see or know was significant Heart murmur Growth problem Skin problem Parasites

First Thing: Check the History Check the records of past visits Get information from the owner Listen carefully, ask questions * See slide note

What is your over-all first impression? … of skin, muscle tone, movements, behavior, attitude? *

What about these animals?

Or these?

Physical Exam Things a Veterinarian will need –Stethoscope –Otoscope –Thermometer –Pen light –Neuro hammer *

The first thing a vet may do is listen to your animal’s heart and lungs.

Next, the veterinarian may take the animal’s temperature. *

After the heart, respiratory rates, and temperature are measured, the animal is examined from head to toe. *

Physical Exam If the animal is sick, the veterinarian may take samples of blood, urine, or feces *

The last thing the veterinarian may do is give the vaccinations. *

So what are the normal values for animals?

Horse –Resp: bpm –Temp: °F males lower –HR: bpm Cow –Resp: bpm –Temp: °F –HR: bpm Sheep/goat –Resp: bpm –Temp: 102.3°F –HR: bpm Normals Normals Cat –Resp: bpm –Temp: 101.5°F –HR: bpm Dog –Resp: bpm –Temp: 102°F –HR: bpm Pig –Resp: bpm –Temp: 102.5°F –HR: bpm * See data file, “Normal Reference Values.doc”

So does a……? =

Or a……? =

You and your Veterinarians must know normal behavior

Partnerships in Health: Monitoring your pet Monitoring your pet can be helpful to your veterinarian when something happens at home. What to look for: –Is respiration increased? –Has the heart rate gone up? –Is there swelling? –Does the animal have a fever? –Has the behavior changed? –Does the animal lack energy or seem depressed?

Questions?