1. Taking Vital Signs
& Exam Procedures

2. 12 Areas to Examine
General Appearance - Healthy overall, eyes bright, coat shiny, too fat or too thin?
Integumentary (skin)- Coat shiny/full, or dull/brittle? Bald patches, rashes, or flaking skin?
Muscoskeletal - History of lameness or visible lameness? Broken bones?
Circulatory - Coughing, fainting, dyspnea, or heart murmurs?
Respiratory - Coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, exercise intolerance
Digestive - Eating normally? Diet changes? Toxin (rat poison, antifreeze) ingested? Vomiting or diarrhea?
Genitourinary - Abnormal discharge, smell, or color ? Swelling, inability or difficulty in urinating and defecating?
Nervous system - Seizures, behavior changes, head tilt, difficulty walking?
Lymph nodes – Swollen?
Ears - Discharge, unusual odor, or head shaking?
Eyes - Excessive tearing or discharge? Visual difficulties?
Mouth - Gums and teeth healthy, moist, pink mucous membranes? Very red, cyanotic, or pale membranes are abnormal.

3. A Healthy Animal has...
Clear bright eyes with pink membranes around the eyes.
An appearance of contentment.
An alert attitude and interest in surroundings.
A good appetite.
A sleek, shiny coat with hair that is pliable, not dry and brittle.
Feces and urine that are easily passed and normal in appearance.
Temperature, pulse, and respiration in normal range.

4. TPR Temperature Pulse Respiration Rate
To take the temperature of an animal, insert the thermometer into the anus while the animal is in standing position
Pulse
Using a stethoscope, count heartbeats for 15 seconds then multiply by 4
Respiration Rate
For 15 seconds, count the number of breaths the animal takes
This is when restraint comes in handy!
TPR

5. Ranges for TPR Animals Canine Feline Equine Lagomorph Temperature
Pulse
bpm
*may vary depending on size
bpm
28-44 bpm
bpm
Respiration
10-34 rpm
16 – 40 rpm
10-24 rpm
30-60 rpm
Ranges for TPR
Remember: If it’s not in the medical records, it didn’t happen!

6. Average TPR’s Normal Temperature ˚F Pulse Beats/min. Respiration
Normal Temperature ˚F
Pulse
Beats/min.
Respiration
Breaths/min.
Cat
101.5
20-30
Cattle
101.0
60-70
10-30
Chicken
107.0
15-30
Dog
102.0
70-120
Goat
102.5
40-60
12-20
Horse
100.0
30-60
8-16
Rabbit
103.0
30-45
Sheep
60-90
Snake room temp

7. Temperature - Dogs Temp (F) Diagnostics Call a vet? 106+
EMERGENCY - IMMEDIATELY COOL YOUR PET
IMMEDIATELY
105
High Fever
YES - within a day
104
Moderate Fever
YES
103
102
Normal No
101
100 99
99-95
Mild Hypothermia
95 or lower
EMERGENCY - WARM YOUR PET IMMEDIATELY

8. Pulse Variations may occur due to: Procedure Anxiety Exercise Pain
Disease
Shock
species
Procedure
Using your index and middle fingers, gently roll them over the artery feeling for the pulse.
Count the number of pulses in 15 seconds.
Multiple the number of pulses in 15 seconds by 4 to get beats/minute.

9. Dog/Cat Pulse

10. Heart Rate BPM– Beats per minute Bradycardia - With illness or injury, a slower-than-normal rate can indicated heart disease or shock. Tachycardia - A racing heart can also point to shock. Either requires prompt medical attention. A stopped heart is the top emergency of all and requires immediate CPR.
Pet
Normal Heart Rate
Small dog (<20 lbs)
70-180
Medium-Large Dog (>20 lbs)
60-140
Cats
Puppies
up to 220
Kittens

11. Horse/Cow Pulse

12. Respiration Respiration is evaluated by looking at three parameters.
Rate of respiration
Depth – degree of chest effort needed to take a breath (deep, shallow)
Character (slow, rapid, normal)
Procedure
Observe the rise and fall of the chest,
Count the number of breaths for 15 seconds.
Multiple the number of respiration in 15 seconds by 4 to get breaths/minute.

13. MM is an epithelial tissue that secretes mucus and that lines many body cavities and tubular organs including the gut and respiratory passages.
The easiest mucous membranes to evaluate are inside the mouth – the gums and inner cheeks.
Colors
Pink & Moist: normal
Pale or dry: dehydrated or shock
Blue: not getting enough oxygen  
This dog seems to be in pretty good shape!
Oh no, this dog needs some water ASAP!
Mucous Membrane (MM)

14. CRT – Capillary Refill Time
Capillaries are tiny blood vessels that link arteries to veins and provide oxygen to bodily tissues. Among other places, they can be found at the surface of the skin. These vessels are what give healthy gums their pink color. They can also be a good indicator of pet health.
CRT
Diagnostics
Call a vet?
1-2 seconds
Normal No
2-4 seconds
Moderate-poor. Possible dehydration or shock
YES
4+ seconds
EMERGENCY - Severe problems (dehydration or shock)
IMMEDIATELY
Less than 1 second
EMERGENCY - Severe problems (heatstroke or shock)

15. Capillary Refill Time (CRT)
How to take:
Press your finger/nail to the animal’s gums and count how long it takes to turn back to its regular pigmentation
Range: 2 seconds or less
More than 2 seconds
Smile!
Capillary Refill Time (CRT)

16. Dehydration Test (Skin Tenting)
The first sign of dehydration is the loss of elasticity in the skin.
Under normal hydration, the skin will immediately return to its normal state when you gently pull on it (a light pinch).
The more severe the dehydration, the slower the skin will return to normal. Under severe dehydration, the skin remains standing up in a ridge off the body even after releasing it (skin tenting) like a piece of Play-doh. If skin tenting occurs, call a veterinarian immediately.

17. SOAP S – Subjective O – Objective A – Assessment P – Plan
Info based on animal’s overall appearance & description
O – Objective
Measured facts that can be recorded
A – Assessment
What the vet determines to be the diagnosis or the patients problem
P – Plan
Treatment or procedure given to patient

18. Group rotations – Practice physical exams
Vet 3 – Agenda
Test next week!
-Vital sign ranges
-TPR
-CRT, MM, Skin tent
-SOAP
-Physical Exam
Make a Kahoot Review
Individual – 15 questions with pictures
Partnered – 20 questions with pictures
**SHARE to “fergusonjr” when completed. This will be a grade!
**Include names and period in the description.
**DUE by Friday
Physical Exam – Role Play Practice
With a partner, make up 4 scenarios and submit as a journal through the AET.
Submit the scenarios as a journal entry!
1:00 – 1:15 pm – Bird wing & nail clippings / Limoncello
Group rotations – Practice physical exams
1:15 – 1:30 pm – Group 2
1:30 – 1: 45 pm – Group 3
1: 45 – 2:00 pm – Group 4
2: 00 – 2:15 pm – Group 1
*With your group, practice the physical exams!