Clinical Exam: Species Examples

Question 1

what are the normal ranges for the horse (temp, pulse, resp)

Answer 1

temp: 37.2-38.1 (donkey 36.2-37.8)

pulse rate: 28-40 bpm

respiration: 10-14 bpm

Question 2

what are over the gate observation of the horse

Answer 2

demeanor

posture and movement

BC impression

breathing (nostril flair, abdominal component)

pain

Question 3

what observations should be made in the equine environment

Answer 3

bedding

food

feces

signs of pain

Question 4

what is the sequence of the equine clinical exam

Answer 4

start at head and work back (left side first)

head, neck, thorax, abdomen, limbs, skin, temperature

Question 5

what is examined on the equine head (6)

Answer 5

1. facial symmetry (dentition and sinuses)
2. nostrils (discharge/airflow)
3. mouth (membrane colour/CRT/incisor teeth)
4. eyes (membrane colour/third eyelid/scelera)
5. submandibular lymph nodes (intermandibular location)
6. pulse (facial or transverse facial artery)

Question 6

what areas of the equine neck are examined

Answer 6

1. trachea (palpation, ausculation)
2. jugular veins (distention, pulsation, both normal in proximal third)

Question 7

what are the landmarks for pulmonary auscultation in the horse

Answer 7

point of shoulder

point of elbow

11th rib

13th rib

18th rib

Question 8

how is the abdomen examined in the horse

Answer 8

four quadrants

describe each quadrant (none/reduced/normal/increased)

Question 9

where is the cecum in the horse and how often is the cecal flush

Answer 9

cecal flush –> upper right quadrant (every 1-2 mins)

Question 10

what is examined on the equine limb

Answer 10

general –> basic palpation

check pulse in palmar/plantar digital arteries

hoof wall temperature

Question 11

what is examined on the skin of the horse

Answer 11

wounds

hair loss/alopecia

excessive hair/hirsutism

masses

ectoparasites

Question 12

how is the temp taken in the horse

Answer 12

keep in contact

work close and on the left

keep thermometer against rectal wall

Question 13

what are the reference ranges for cattle (temp, resp, pulse)

Answer 13

temp: 38.3-39.1C
resp: 20-40 bpm
pulse: 50-80 bpm

Question 14

why is the over the gate observation important in cattle

Answer 14

careful observation is essential

pain often not obvious –> tough animals

Question 15

what are over the gate observations in cattle (7)

Answer 15

1. resp rate
2. demeanor/behaviour
3. movement, lying down, shifting weight
4. eating, cudding, abdominal swelling (bloat), defecating, soiling
5. drinking, urinating
6. resp effort, nasal discharge, coughing
7. temperament

Question 16

what is can be observed in the cattle environment

Answer 16

1. food
2. water
3. smells
4. cleanliness
5. overall impression
6. look at other animals
7. feces

Question 17

what is the sequence of the cattle exam

Answer 17

reversed –> start at tail and work forward

back end, left side, right side, head and neck

Question 18

what is assessed at the cattle back end (6)

Answer 18

1. symmetry and soiling
2. BCS
3. temp
4. pulse
5. vulva (membrane colour and CRT)
6. udder

Question 19

what is examined on the left side of the cow (6)

Answer 19

1. lymph nodes: prescapular and prefemoral
2. heart: auscultation
3. left lung field: 2 dorsal areas, 1 middle area, 1 ventral area
4. digestive system: rumen ballotment, assess layers
5. LDA ping
6. limbs

Question 20

what is examined on the right side of the cow

Answer 20

1. lymph nodes: prescapular and prefemoral
2. heart
3. right lung field
4. digestive system
5. right sided pings
6. limbs

Question 21

what is examined on the cattle neck (3)

Answer 21

1. jugular veins (distention and pulsation)
2. hydration (skin tent)
3. larynx and trachea (palpation, auscultation)

Question 22

what is examined on the cattle head

Answer 22

last thing you do

1. symmetry
2. nostrils and airflow
3. eyes
4. mouth
5. submandibular lymph nodes