Physical Exams

Sponge 1.Turn in your homework. 2.Set Up Cornell Notes 3.How can you best prepare to give your veterinarian a good patient history? 4.How does changing vets affect your animal? 5.Study for your ID test

Objectives Take an accurate patient history. Recognize a healthy animal. Perform a physical exam. Take the TPR of several animals.

Lammiman’s Philosophy lesson I hate it when in someone says “I wish we could all just be happy all of the time.” Think about this… – Without sad how could we feel happy? – Without dark how would we understand light? – Without war we would not appreciate peace.

In order to understand sick we must realize what healthy is… As a pet owner how do you know when your animal is feeling good? Can you recognize when he is not feeling well? Have you ever been a little unsure if he/she was okay or not? ….what do you do when you are unsure?

The physical exam Is an essential tool used by the veterinarian to assess an animal’s overall health and body condition. It involves a fixed routine so that nothing is overlooked. Why would it be important to not skip around steps when doing a physical?

A Healthy animal will have… 1.Clear bright eyes with pink membranes around the eyes. 2. An appearance of contentment. 3.An alert attitude and interest in surroundings. 4.A good appetite. 5.A sleek, shiny coat with hair that is pliable, not dry and brittle. 6.Feces and urine that are easily passed and normal in appearance. 7.Temperature, pulse, and respiration in normal range.

Maddie’s first vet visit

Kitty Cat w

Patient History Be sure not to use yes or no questions. You want to get as much information as possible. Practice fixing these questions: – Has Fluffy been drinking more water? – Does Patsy finish all of her food? – Has Gator been getting exercise? – Do you have other pets?

Patient History Lab Ms. Tran: Patsy Cline Mrs. Lammiman: Gator Lacee: Lulu Fill out a patient history for each of the above clients.

Physical Examine When examining an animal, it is best to use a regional approach. Begin at the head of the animal and progress to the tail examining thoroughly all the external areas and all body cavities (eyes, ears, mouth, etc). Examination of underlying structures should also be done at this time.

Physical Examine Palpation is used to inspect underlying muscle and skeletal structure, and locate abnormalities. Structures should be gently traced with the fingertips and not grabbed. Improper handling is painful to the animal and could damage internal organs.

Tools: Stethoscope Thermometer and petroleum jelly Ophthalmoscope Otoscope Watch with second hand Muzzle – used to control animals that may

First Take the animal’s weight. Why?

12 areas to check 1. General appearance – is there a healthy overall appearance? Are eyes bright and coat shiny? Is animal obese or very thin? 2. Integumentary (skin) – is the coat shiny and full or is it dull and brittle? Are there any bald patches, rashes, or flaking skin? Fleas? 3. Muscoskeletal (muscles and skeletal structure) – is there a history of lameness or any visible lameness? Broken bones? 4. Circulatory – coughing, fainting, dyspnea, and murmurs are all signs of circulatory problems.

5. Respiratory – coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, exercise intolerance, and cyanosis are signs of possible respiratory problems. 6. Digestive – is the animal eating normally? Have there been diet changes? Was a toxin (rat poison, antifreeze) ingested? Vomiting and diarrhea are signs of digestive upset. 7. Genitourinary (genitals and urinary system) – abnormal discharge, smell, or color as well as swelling and inability or difficulty in urinating and defecating are signs of a problem. 8. Nervous system – seizures, changes in behavior, difficulty walking, head tilt.

9. Lymph nodes – enlarged? 10. Ears – discharge, unusual odor, or head shaking? 11. Eyes – is there excessive tearing or discharge? Are there any visual deficits? 12. Mouth – are gums and teeth healthy? Are mucous membranes moist and pink? Very red, cyanotic, or pale membranes are abnormal. A Capillary Refill Time (CRT) is done to check for circulatory problems.

Review: Homework and Stamp!

TPR TPR is different for every species of animal and varies with age, size, environmental temperature, stress, activity level, and most importantly, health. It is a diagnostic tool. If your mom thinks you might be sick…how can she confirm it? If you want to stay home from school…how can you fake it?

TPR Temperature, pulse and respiration rates tend to increase as size of the animal decreases. Elephant: 35 Rabbit: 205 Guinea pig: 280 Mouse: 534

Temperature Temperature is taken rectally on the dog and cat and all species of livestock. Variations in temperature may occur due to: Infection/disease Excitement/stress Environment

Procedure: 1. Wipe the thermometer with alcohol and shake it down till the mercury is below 98 degrees. 2. Lubricate the tip with petroleum jelly. 3. Gently insert the thermometer into the rectum and hold it securely in place for three minutes. 4. Remove the thermometer and wipe with a paper towel.

Pulse Pulse is evaluated using the femoral artery on dogs and cats. The femoral artery is located on the inside hind leg at the top of the thigh. Use the maxillary artery for large animals. It is located under the jaw of the horse and on the outside of jaw on the cow. The ventral tail vein and lower jaw (mandibular) are used to take a pulse in cattle and sheep.

Dog 4 Horse

Pulse There are many variations in pulse such as abnormal rhythms, weak, and bounding pulses. Variations may occur due to: Anxiety Exercise Pain Disease Shock An increased pulse is called tachycardia. A pulse that is slower than normal is called bradycardia.

Procedure 1. Using your index and middle fingers, gently roll them over the artery feeling for the pulse. 2. Count the number of pulses for 15 seconds. 3. Multiply the number of pulses in 15 seconds by 4 to get beats/minute.

Respiration Respiration is evaluated by looking at three parameters: 1. Rate of respiration 2. Depth – degree of chest effort needed to take a breath (deep, shallow) 3. Character – (slow, rapid, normal)

Respiration Lungs – Normal lung sounds: sound like “ rustling leaves”. Two main types of abnormal sounds: Crackles – most often heard in connection with fluid accumulation in the lungs and pneumonia Wheezes – the result of decreased airflow from

Procedure 1. Observe the rise and fall of the chest. 2. Count the number of breaths for 15 seconds. 3. Multiply the number of respirations by 4 to get breaths/minute.

Healthy Puppy Exams Anna Bri’s pup