1. Healthy Pet, Healthy You
The PEER Program at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
peer.tamu.edu

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

3. The Purpose of a Physical Exam
Assesses overall health and condition
Early detection of minor abnormalities
Determine the extent of an injury or illness

4. Your Vet is a Scientist! During a Physical Exam he: Makes observations
Takes measurements
Collects data
Analyzes data
These are characteristics of both a good physical exam and scientist.

5. Observations of a Healthy Animal
Content
Clear bright eyes
Alert and interested
Sleek, shiny coat
Pink mucous membranes
Good appetite
Normal feces & urine
Normal temperature, pulse, & respiration

6. Vital Signs Temperature Heart rate Respiration rate
Base-line measurements indicate animal’s current health
May be first indication of abnormality
Veterinarian is taking measurements and collecting data.

7. Temperature
A measure of the body's ability to generate and get rid of heat
Heat transfer
Thermometer
Varies due to illness, physical activity, stage of pregnancy, time of day, &/or environmental surroundings
Basal metabolism - The minimum amount of energy required to maintain vital functions in an organism at complete rest.

8. Average Temperature of Different Species
Temperature (°F)
Horse
99.5 – 101.3
Cattle
100.4 – 103.1
Sheep & Goats
102.2 – 104.9
Swine
100.4 – 104.0
Dog
99.5 – 102.5
Cat
100.5 – 102.5
Human
98.6 8

9. Fever Body generates & retains heat Immune response
Maintain homeostasis 9

10. Pulse
Rhythmic throb in an artery as blood is pushed through it, heart rate
Palpate: lower jaw in livestock, femoral artery in dogs & cats, radial or carotid artery in humans
Varies due to illness, age, size, sex, breed, exercise, atmospheric conditions, time of day, eating, &/or excitement

11. Average Pulse of Different Species
Pulse (bpm)
Horse
Cattle
Sheep & Goats
Swine
Dog
Cat
Human
60-100
bpm – beats per minute 11

12. Respiration
Taking in oxygen, utilizing in body tissues, and giving off carbon dioxide
Evaluate visually or with a stethoscope
Varies due to illness, body size, age, exercise, excitement, environmental temperature, atmospheric conditions, pregnancy, & fullness of the digestive tract

13. Average Respiration Rates of Different Species
respiration (bpm)
Horse
8 - 16
Cattle
Sheep & Goats
Swine
8 - 18
Dog
Cat
Humans
15-20
bpm – breaths per minute. 13

14. Vaccinations A material which stimulates the immune system
Contains antigens that resembles a disease-causing agents
Immune system recognizes the agent as "foreign", destroys it, and then remembers it in the future.

15. Vaccinations Prevents or lessens the severity of disease
Prevents spread of disease between animals and humans (zoonotic diseases)
Core vaccines

16. Parasites
An organism that lives on or in a host and gets its food from or at the expense of its host
Symbiosis
External Parasites
Internal Parasites

17. Dental Health Periodontal disease Brush 3-4 times a week
Provide chew toys
Proper diet
Schedule regular cleanings

18. Spay and Neuter Reduce the homeless population
6 – 8 million pets in shelters each year
Improve health and behavior
Reduce or eliminate: some types of cancer, roaming, marking, & aggression

19. Spay/Neuter Video

20. Nutrition
Feed according to age, size, activity level, and overall health
Pet food vs human food
Pet Obesity

21. Exercise Pet’s physical state and needs Human-animal bond
Maintains healthy heart, lungs, and muscles
Controls weight

22. Emergency! Protect yourself! Call the emergency care facility
Bleeding: elevate & apply pressure
Choking: place fingers in pet’s mouth and try to remove blockage
Modified Heimlich maneuver
CPR

23. Questions?