5 – LA History and Physical Exam

Question 1

Why is history so important?

Answer 1

• Owner knows more about the animal than you do
• Building trust

Question 2

What are the main components of a history?

Answer 2

1. What type of animal/signalment?
2. Current presenting complaint
3. Previous illness/problems
4. General management
5. Preventative healthcare

Question 3

History component: signalment

Answer 3

• Species
• Breed
• Age
• Sex
• Weight/BCS: has there been a change?
• Reproductive status
• Production stage: dairy
• Current/intended use

Question 4

History component: current presenting complaint

Answer 4

• Clinical signs
• Duration
• Treatment and outcome
  o Owner
  o Vet

Question 5

History component: previous illness/problems

Answer 5

• Similar to current presenting complaint?
• When?
• Previous treatment and outcomes

Question 6

History component: management

Answer 6

• Housing: contact with wildlife?
• Feeding
• Water source
• *Any recent changes
• Work routine
• Travel: shows or recently purchased?
• Other animals? Recent acquisition

Question 7

History component: preventative healthcare

Answer 7

• Vaccination
• Deworming
• Dental care
• Foot care
• Colostrum
• Vitamin E/Se
• Magnet (cattle)

Question 8

How do you use history?

Answer 8

• Acute vs. chronic
• Individual vs. herd/flock
• Infectious disease risk
• Affected body system
• Rank differentials
• Make a diagnostic plan
• *knowledge, communication and trust building

Question 9

What are some special cases for doing a physical exam?

Answer 9

• Prepurchase examination
• Breeding soundness
• Foal health check
• Health certificates
• Export papers
• Insurance examination
• **may need to confirm NORMAL
• *you are liable

Question 10

“complete” PE

Answer 10

• Everything possible vs. everything necessary
  o Rectal
  o Neurologic
  o Lameness
  o Reproductive
  o Ophthalmologic

Question 11

Distance examination

Answer 11

• Attitude
• Behavior
• BCS
• General body shape/contour
• RR, effort
• Posture and conformation
• Hair coat
• Defecation/urination
• Environment

Question 12

Head PE

Answer 12

• Facial expression, symmetry
• Ears
• Eyes
  o Cow: hydration status
• Mouth
  o Tongue tone
  o Teeth
  o Mucous membranes (CRT)
   Vulva: cow
   Eye: male cattle
• Ability to eat
• Pulse
• Sinus percussion
• CNs
• Edema (bottle jaw)

Question 13

Head/upper neck PE

Answer 13

• Lymph nodes: submandibular, retropharyngeal
• Viborg’s triangle: guttural pouch
• Parotid gland (horse)
• Thyroid glands

Question 14

Neck PE

Answer 14

• Trachea
  o Auscultation, palpation, inducible cough
• Jugular veins
  o Patency, distension, jugular pulsation
• Brisket: cattle
• Skin tent: horse and neonate
• Esophagus; choke and lacerations
• Injection sites: IM, IV, SQ

Question 15

Thorax PE

Answer 15

• Cardiac auscultation: rate, rhythm, murmurs
• Peripheral edema
• Withers
• Girth/saddle area

Question 16

Limbs PE

Answer 16

• Swellings, wounds, JOINT EFFUSION (neonates)
• Temperature
• DIGITIAL PULSES (horse)
• Hooves
• Lameness examination

Question 17

Rectal examination

Answer 17

• Special indications
  o Horse
  o Cow
• Restraint
• Safety: rectal tears and injury to handler/vet

Question 18

Urine/fecal examination

Answer 18

• Gross
• Sampling
• Special tests

Question 19

What do you do if you are not sure?

Answer 19

• Ask someone
• Evaluate the “paired” organ: other side
• Find another horse/cow for comparison
• Re-assess