After this lesson, students should be able to: Explain the importance of physical examinations. Describe the characteristics of a healthy animal. Monitor vital signs and explain why they might vary. Explain the concept of a “regional approach” to animal health.

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Enables assessment of the overall health and condition of the animal Allows detection of minor abnormalities before they become serious problems. Helps determine the extent of an injury or illness. Opportunity to educate clients

Taking an animal’s signalment & history is the first step in any physical exam. This is the first interaction with a client, listen carefully. Signalment includes the animal’s species, breed, sex, & age. History is information about environment, diet, reproductive history, medical history, vaccination status, & current medications. Finally, record the chief complaint if applicable.

Observe the animal both from a distance and up close before handling. General appearance Body condition Behavior Conformation and gait Neurological deficits Vision deficits

Clear bright eyes pink mucous membranes An appearance of contentment An alert and interested attitude A sleek, shiny coat with pliable hair Good appetite Feces & urine are normal in appearance & easily passed. Temperature, pulse, & respiration are in the normal range.

Socialize yourself with the animal before the examination begins Saves time and decreases stress for you and the animal Promotes the safety of everyone in the room

Before beginning the actual physical exam an animal’s weight, temperature, heart rate, and respiration rate are taken. These base-line measurements indicate how an animal is functioning at the time of the exam and may be a first indication that something is wrong.

The result of the balance between basal metabolism and muscular heat & heat lost. Taken r ectally with a thermometer. Varies due to illness, physical activity, stage of pregnancy, time of day, &/or environmental surroundings.

Species Temperature (°F) Horse 99.5 – Cattle – Sheep & Goats – Swine – Dog 99.5 – Cat – 102.5

The rhythmic, periodic thrust felt over an artery in time with the heartbeat. Evaluate rate, strength, and quality Palpate (touch with fingers) at the lower jaw in horses & cattle, the femoral artery in dogs & cats Varies due to illness, age, size, sex, breed, exercise, atmospheric conditions, time of day, eating, &/or excitement

Species Pulse (bpm) Horse Cattle Sheep & Goats Swine Dog Cat

The acts of taking in oxygen, using it in the body tissues, and giving off carbon dioxide. Evaluated visually or by auscultation with a stethoscope Count inspirations OR expirations Assess rate, depth, character, rhythm, and sound Variations due to illness or body size, age, exercise, excitement, environmental temperature, atmospheric conditions, pregnancy, & fullness of the digestive tract.

Species respiration (bpm) Horse Cattle Sheep & Goats Swine Dog Cat

Provides indication of blood flow Press on the gums; they will "blanch" white and become pink again when pressure is released. Normal: < 2 seconds

Tests skin elasticity Grasp the loose skin over the dog's shoulders, lift it up as far as it will stretch, and then release. The skin should snap back into place immediately

Evaluates an animal as to the amount of body reserves, particularly fat and muscle, an animal possesses. Visually examine and (or) palpate certain areas of the animal’s body Range of body condition scores: Beef cattle, horses, dogs, & cats – 1 to 9 Dairy cattle, sheep, swine, dogs & cats – 1 to 5 (the lower the number, the thinner the animal)

BCS 1 BCS 3 BCS 5 BCS 7BCS 9

Examine the animal from head to tail Be consistent – always use the same order of examination so as not to forget a component of the exam Example approach: Head and Neck Trunk and Limbs Thorax Abdomen External Genitalia

Oral Cavity Eyes - opthalmoscope Nose Ears - otoscope Lymph nodes Salivary glands Trachea

Limb and joint Feet, nails, and hooves Assess limbs in weight bearing & non-weight bearing positions Muscle mass and tone Skin and hair coat Pelvic region Vertebral column Peripheral lymph nodes

Palpate for symmetry, conformation, masses, etc… Cardiac Auscultation – stethoscope Rate and rhythm Multiple locations on both sides of the chest Respiratory Auscultation – stethoscope Rate, depth/effort, character

Auscultate for intestinal motility Palpate organs: stomach, spleen, small intestine, kidneys, urinary bladder, prostate, uterus, colon

Verify sex and reproductive status Inspect perianal area Palpate anal sacs in dogs Males: Inspect prepuce and penis Inspect both testicles if intact Females: Palpate and visually assess mammary glands Inspect vulva

Upon completion of the physical exam the Dr. is able to address chief complaints or abnormal findings. This may lead to diagnostic tests Urine, blood, or fecal samples Imaging: CT, X-ray, or ultrasound

A physical exam is an important component of a healthy animal. What are the main sections of a physical exam? Questions or comments?

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