Equine Clin Exam

Question 1

What can you see from observing the horse from a distance?

Answer 1

• General demeanor
• BCS
• Signs of pain (bedding disturbed?)
• Resp pattern (normal = 8-16 per min)
• Lameness/weight baring
• Any hair loss, skin abnormalities

Question 2

What is examined in the ‘head’ part of the head to toe examination?

Answer 2

• Movement of air, nares (flares/discharge)
• Facial symmetry
• Eyes (discharge/ptosis(drooping)/symmetry)
• MM (colour, CRT,)
• Sinus percussion with knuckle
• Palpate submandibular lymph nodes

Question 3

How should you note discharges?

Answer 3

• Serous, mucopurulent (has pus), hemorrhagic
• Unilateral/bilateral
• Drip/steady flow/heavy flow

Question 4

How is the head to forelegs examined?

Answer 4

• Run hand over muscle masses from head moving down to legs
• Pay attention over joints: heat, pain, swelling
• Palpate digital pulses over lateral/abaxial surface of proximal sesamoid bones

Question 5

How is the forelegs to thorax examined?

Answer 5

• Auscultate left and right lung field (abnormal crackles/wheezes)
• Heart auscultation (underneath triceps muscles between 3rd/5th intercostal space)
• the triceps must be lifted away from chest gently to allow access for stethoscope
• palpate arterial pulse of facial artery simultaneously to detect pulse deficit

Question 6

What occur in abdominal auscultation after exercise?

Answer 6

Reduced gut sounds for 10-15 mins, needs to be monitored until regularized.

Question 7

How are gut sounds recorded?

Answer 7

- absent
\+ hypomotile
\++ normal 
\+++ hypermotile
Can also be represented as 0,1,2,3

Question 8

How is the abdomen to rectum examined?

Answer 8

• Grasp tail at the base and move it gently to the side, thermom. is then passed into the anus to the rectum
• Note rectal and tail tone
• Normal 38 (+/-5)