CLINICAL - Equine Clinical Examination Flashcards
What is the normal internal temperature range for horses?
Temperature: 37.5 - 38.5°C
What is the pulse reference range for horses?
Pulse: 28 - 40bpm
What is the respiratory reference range for horses?
Respiratory: 8 - 16
Which normal physiological feature causes a dropped heart beat in horses when they are at rest?
When horses are at rest, they have a second degree atrioventricular (AV) heart block due to their high vagal tone which leads to a dropped heart beat
How should you determine if the second degree atrioventricular (AV) heart block is physiological or pathological?
The arrhythmia should stop during exercise, if the arrhythmia continues, this suggests that it is a pathological rather than physiological arrhythmia and further tests should be carried out
At what side of the body should you start an equine clinical exam?
An equine clinical exam should start at the left side
What are the seven main step of an equine clinical examination?
Head
Neck
Thorax
Abdomen
Limbs
Skin
Temperature
Which four features of the head should be examined during an equine clinical exam?
Facial symmetry
Nostrils
Gums/teeth
Eyes
What are the three parts of the gums/teeth that should be examined during an equine clinical exam?
Mucous membrane colour
Capillary refill time (CRT)
Incisor teeth
What is the normal value for capillary refill time (CRT) in equids?
Capillary refill time should be less than two seconds
What are the three parts of the eye that should be examined during an equine clinical exam?
Sclera
Conjunctiva
Third eyelid
What is the best way to examine the sclera of a horse’s eye?
To examine the sclera, you should stand next to the horse and lift their head up causing them to look down at you and expose the sclera of the eye
What is the name of the pigmented, roughened prominence present on the pupillary margin of the eye in horses?
Iridic granules
Which lymph nodes should be palpated during an equine clinical exam?
Submandibular lymph nodes
Which two facial arteries should be used to take facial pulses during an equine clinical exam?
Facial artery
Transverse facial artery
Where is it best to feel the pulse of the transverse facial artery and why?
It is best to feel the pulse of the transverse facial artery caudal to the eye as the facial crest sinus prevents you from feeling the pulse any further cranially
When is it normal and abnormal to see jugular vein distension in horses?
Is is abnormal to see jugular vein distention in a horse with their head in a neutral position, however it is normal to see jugular vin distention in a horse with their head positioned below their neck
At which five points should you auscultate the lungs during an equine clinical exam?
Point of the shoulder
Point of the elbow
Eleventh rib
Thirteenth rib
Eighteenth rib
