Basic Introduction to the Clinical Examination of Animals. Flashcards
Define the alimentary tract?
Also known as the digestive tract.
What is the term doughy used to describe during a clinical examination?
When pressure causes pitting, it is between hard and firm. E.g. In edema.
What is the term emphysematous used to describe during a clinical examination?
When the structure is swollen and yields on pressure, producing a crepitating or crackling sound.
Usually caused by the production of gas within the tissue.
What is the term firm used to describe during a clinical examination?
When oedema to pressure is similar to that of the normal liver. E.g. A tumour.
What is the term fluctuating used to describe during a clinical examination?
When a wave-like movement is produced in a structure by the application of alternate pressure.
E.g. A hematoma.
What is the term hard used to describe during a clinical examination?
When a structure possesses bone like consistency.
What is the term resilient used to describe during a clinical examination?
When a structure quickly resumes its normal shape after the application of pressure has ceased.
E.g The abdomen.
What will the clinical examination of animals depend on?
The owner, who may or may not permit certain procedures to take place.
How will the owner be able to help a vet with a diagnosis?
They can provide the animal’s history and answer key questions such as how long the animal has been displaying the symptoms etc.
What is the key to a good clinical examination?
To carry it out systematically and follow a specific procedure or steps.
How do most vets carry out a systematic clinical examination?
By starting the examination at the head and advancing caudally down the body.
What organs would a cranial to caudal examination examine and in what order?
Eyes.
Head.
Cardiopulmonary system.
Skin.
Digestive system.
Urinary system.
Genital system.
Musculoskeletal system.
Nervous system.
What is a key element in helping to diagnose any illness’ or problems in animals?
Patient history.
What are the 3 subcategories that patient history can be broken down to?
Management and environmental history.
Present observations.
Past history.
Why is the management and environmental history important patient history?
As the animals surroundings and immediate environment could have led to the illness.
What 9 key components of a patients management and environmental history are important to assess when looking at patient history?
Breeding and reproductive history.
Access to water.
Nutrition.
Pasture condition e.g. soil type or topography.
Feeding methods.
Access to proper machinery e.g. tack or milking equipment.
Population density in the animals environment.
House/kennel space, is it ventilated etc.
Why present observations important patient history?
They can tell you where the animal is sore etc and provide clues about the condition.
When are present observations made during a diagnosis?
During the timeframe that the animal is ill and can be made over a number of weeks or even months.
What 4 key components of present observations are important to assess when looking at patient history?
The duration of the disease and whether is is acute or chronic.
The clinical signs e.g. lack of appetite, respirations, sweating or posture.
The number of animals affected.
Previous treatment given.
How is a patients past history provided?
From acquiring knowledge pertaining to any illness’s that the particular animal or group of animals have suffered in the past.
What are 5 things that can be provided to help present patients past history?
Diagnoses.
Treatments.
Morbidity and mortality rates.
Post mortem observations.
Laboratory test results.
Why do vets restrain animals during examinations?
So that the risk to the vet is lowered.
What is the most important thing when examining an animal?
The vet and vet techs safety.
What are 5 ways of physically restraining horses?
By holding it in a certain position.
Via skin twitches etc.
Via ties and straps such as leads and head collars.
Stocks.
Lifting the front leg.
What are 6 ways that cattle be physically restrained?
Gripping the nasal septum.
Use of a bull ring.
Use of a rope or halter around the head.
Ropes around a leg.
Stocks.
Reuffs method of casting.
What 2 ways can sheep and goats be restrained?
When a person stands beside the animal and embraces it by holding the neck with both hands.
Smaller breeds can be restrained by being placed on a table in a lateral or dorsal position.
How are household pets usually restrained during a clinical examination?
By placing them onto a table in a lateral or dorsal position or by using a muzzle when necessary.
What is chemical restraint?
The drugs to sedate or immobilise the animal.
What type of restraint is mostly carried out by the owner?
Verbal and moral restraint.
What 3 common methods of verbal and moral restraint?
The use of treats.
Massaging.
Calling the animal by its name.
Should a physical examination be done systematically?
Yes, meaning that it should be done in the same way, every time.
What is usually the first step of a physical examination?
The general inspection.
At what distance from the animal is a general inspection usually performed at?
At a reasonable distance from the animal and it may involve circumnavigating the animal.
What kind of signs are looked for during a general inspection of an animal?
Cuts, lesions or various other clues that may help with a diagnosis.
What factors about the vet are most useful during a general inspection?
The 5 senses such as sight and smell.
During a general inspection, attention should be paid to what 7 areas?
The animals behaviour.
Its appetite.
Whether it has defecated or urinated.
Posture.
Gait.
Body condition.
General conformation.
