2. physical exam

What are the main areas assessed during general observation?

Behavior and general appearance, posture, gait and movement, body condition, skin and coat, and abnormal sounds/vocalization.

What does mentation assess?

Level of alertness, awareness, response to stimuli, interest in surroundings, and behavior.

What altered behaviors may be noted during examination?

Restlessness, dullness, apathy, and changes in consciousness.

What is posture?

How the animal stands, sits, or lies.

What should be assessed in posture?

Head and neck position, spinal alignment, limb position, weight distribution, tail position, and abnormal/prolonged recumbency.

What is gait?

How the animal moves while walking at different paces.

What should be assessed in gait?

Normal vs abnormal movement, strength, coordination, rhythm, weight-bearing, foot placement, and lameness.

What does body condition reflect?

The animal's stored body reserves.

What is Body Condition Score (BCS)?

A subjective assessment of body fat using visual inspection and palpation.

What are the common BCS scales?

1–5 scale and 1–9 scale.

What BCS is generally ideal for dogs and cats?

4–5 on the 1–9 scale.

What should be assessed when determining BCS?

Rib visibility, fat cover, muscle mass, spinal prominence, pelvic/tail-head region, and overall body silhouette.

How is temperature usually measured in animals?

Rectally.

What factors affect temperature interpretation?

Species, age, activity, environment, and physiologic condition.

What does pulse/heart rate assess?

The frequency and characteristics of cardiac contractions.

What three features are assessed when taking a pulse?

Rate, rhythm, and pulse quality/strength.

What are the pulse sites in horses?

External maxillary, transverse facial, median, and great metatarsal arteries.

What are the pulse sites in cattle and pigs?

Middle coccygeal, facial, and median arteries.

What is the common pulse site in sheep, goats, and calves?

Femoral artery.

What is the common pulse site in piglets, dogs, and cats?

Femoral artery.

When should respiratory rate preferably be observed?

When the animal is quiet and minimally disturbed.

What should be assessed in respiration?

Rate, rhythm, depth, and abnormal respiratory sounds.

What are common mucous membrane examination sites?

Oral/gingival, conjunctival, nasal, vulvar, and preputial mucosa.

What is the normal appearance of mucous membranes?

Generally pink and moist, although normal color varies by species.

What should be assessed on mucous membranes?

Color, moisture, CRT, petechiae, ecchymoses, erosions, ulcerations, swelling, and discharge.

What can pale or white mucous membranes indicate?

Anemia or poor peripheral perfusion.

What can red or congested mucous membranes indicate?

Hyperemia, fever, or vascular congestion.

What can yellow or icteric mucous membranes indicate?

Increased bilirubin or jaundice.

What can blue or cyanotic mucous membranes indicate?

Inadequate oxygenation.

What is normal CRT and what does prolonged CRT indicate?

Normal is approximately 1–2 seconds; prolonged CRT may indicate reduced peripheral perfusion.

What are key indicators of hydration?

Skin elasticity/skin tent, mucous membrane moisture, eye position, enophthalmos, CRT, and overall appearance.

What are commonly palpable lymph nodes?

Mandibular/submandibular, prescapular, popliteal, and inguinal/supramammary.

What should be assessed when examining lymph nodes?

Size, consistency, pain/tenderness, mobility or fixation, temperature, symmetry, and distribution.