The Application of the Scientific Method through the Physical Exam Copyright 2010 PEER.tamu.edu

What do doctors do when you go in for an appointment? That’s right! The doctors ask you questions and check you over. They are checking your systems and their parts!!!! They make careful OBSERVATIONS so that they may make INFERENCES on your condition. Doctors will then decide what additional tests to run to help draw a more valid CONCLUSION about your condition.

Veterinarians must do the same thing, only their job is very difficult because their patients cannot speak! Signalment is one part of the Veterinarian’s or Physician’s Visit ! ?

What is Signalment? Signalment in veterinary medicine is when the veterinarian determines three things about the patient: – AGE – BREED – SEX How would it help the veterinarian to know these three things?

These things can help the veterinarian narrow down the types of diseases or conditions the animal might have. Case Example: – Signalment: 10-year-old male German shepherd Age: 10 Breed: German Shepherd Sex: Male

Signalment Immediately, the veterinarian can rule out many diseases and disorders that do not affect adult male German shepherd dogs. To further aid in diagnosis, the veterinarian or physician would also have to take the patient’s medical history and do a physical exam.

Medical History: 1. Current Complaints or Symptoms (How are you feeling?) 2. Genetic Characteristics (What did the offspring get from their parents?) 3. Pre-existing Conditions that may be adding to the current issues (Ex: Is the patient diabetic, overweight, malnourished?)

1. Current Complaint or Symptoms Questions the Doctor might ask: – What seems to be the problem? – How are you feeling? – Where do you hurt? – Is it getting worse? – What medicines do you take? Can you think of other questions a doctor might ask?

Current Complaint or Symptoms, continued: Does the problem involve: – Pain? – Eating/drinking? – Movement? – Digestion? – Breathing? – Skin? – Teeth? The physician or veterinarian has to decide what body systems are involved!!!!!

2. Genetic Characteristics Species: dog, cat, human, bird, etc… Breed: German Shepherd, Bulldog, etc. Sex: male or female Family history of illnesses: ex. does a grandparent or other relative have some disease or disorder? Can you think of a disease associated with one of the characteristics above? Remember, these were included in Signalment.

Disorders that can be associated with genetics: Breed of animals: Dachshunds and back problems, German Shepherds and hip problems, Dalmations and deafness, Himalayan cats and heart disease Sex: certain types of cancer, premature hair loss Family history: human schizophrenia, heart problems, diabetes, certain types of cancer, hair loss

3. Pre-existing Conditions It is useful to know what problems the patient may already have because they may add to the new problem. Doctors must know what other body systems are involved with the patient’s problem, so they know how to best treat them!

Take a Minute, Let’s Discuss: With a partner, discuss a disorder that you know of; answer the following questions and be prepared to share: What is the age, breed, and sex of the organisms that this disorder affects? What symptoms would this disorder cause? What genetic factors might be involved with the disorder? What body systems are involved with this disorder?