Feline physical exam

what type of information is gathered in the history

- presenting complaints

- clinic sings/symptoms

- recent changes

- current medication

- previous/current medical conditions

normal feline temperature

100-102.5

normal feline pulse

150-200

normal feline respirations

20-30

purpose of a distance exam

to address and assess the animal from a distance. should always be done before a physical hands on exam

what do you assess form a distance exam

- behavior

- gait (which can be lameness and neurologic)

- viable skin conditions

forelimb lameness

non-weightbearing and head "bob", reluctant to jump

hindlimb lameness

non weightbearing and reluctant to jump

ataxia (3 types)

weakness in limbs (not lameness)

cerebellar - choppy/mechanical tin man walk

vestibular - balance issue with head tilt

proprioceptive - lack of limb space awareness

alopecia

hair loss

pruritis

itching

signs of a "green cat"

soft ears, laying on side, soft tail swaying, bunting

signs of "yellow cat"

cowering, freezing, hiding, hissing

signs of "red cat"

tense body, swatting. hissing and yowling, piloerection of hair

mentation

cognitive interaction with the environment

BAR meaning

bright alert and responsive

obtunded

patient had decreases/delayed response to stimuli

stuporous

no response to non-painful stimuli but responsive to painful stimuli

comatose

no response to non-painful or painful stimuli

what does neurological exam include

cranial examination and spinal examination

cranial examination

assess status of the cranial nerves

observations during cranial exam

head tilt, nystagmus, absence of blinking, dysphagia (difficulty eating)

what cat is nystagmus normal in

Siamese colored cats

spinal examination

assess the spinal cord and patient's reflexes

what does spinal examination include

spinal palpation, withdraw response, patellar reflex, cutaneous trunci response

dermatological exam

asses for external lesions (wounds and lacerations), parasites, coat quality, hygiene

jaundice

yellowing of skin form possible liver disease or red blood cell destruction

petechia/ecchymoses

bruising of skin

otic examination

limited to external ear only

shape of ear canal

L-shaped

observations made in otic exam

polyps present, tympanic membrane assessment, parasites (ear mites) or otitis (ear infection)

ocular examination

examination of both internal and external eye

internal eye structures

anterior chamber, iris, lens, retina, optic nerve

external eye structures

palpebrae (eyelid), nictitans (third eyelid), sclera (white of eye), conjunctiva

what breeds get cherry eye

Persians and Himalayans

blepharospasms

squinting

dental and oral exam

examination of mouth and teeth quality and apperance

where are foreign bodies mostly found in cats

under the base of tongue

gum colors

pale/white - anemia

blue - hypoxemia

yellow - liver or blood diseases

petechia - hemorrhaging

nasal and respiratory exam

assessing both the upper and lower airway

upper airway exam looks for

nasal discharge, nare obstruction, tracheal palpation

is open mouth breathing normal in cats

NO

lower airway exam looks for

wheezes, crackles, absence of sounds

lymphatic exam

limited to lymph nodes that can be palpated

palpable lymph nodes

submandibular, prescapular, axillary, inguinal, popliteal

enlargement of lymph nodes means

infection, inflammatory, neoplastic

cardiac exam

assesses the heart for rhythm and murmurs present base on auscultation (sound)

hepatic/ gastrointestinal exam

palpation of the abdomen

how to palpate feline abdomen

- gentle pressure on the cranial abdomen assessing for abdominal discomfort or liver enlargement (liver hard to palpate)

- stomach and intestines feel like dough. if pain present abdominal muscles tighten limiting palpation

- colon is easy to palpate and assess for stool quality

urogenital exam

urinary and reproductive exam

preforming urogenital exam

- kidneys both palpable

- assess vaginal discharge in females and palpate both testicles for intact males

kidney size meanings

small - chronic kidney disease

large - urinary flow obstruction