FM1 Pt3-8 Physical Exam & History taking Flashcards
Why is a thorough physical examination important in cats?
It can detect minor abnormalities before they become serious and identify major organ dysfunction without expensive tests.
What are the key principles of physical examination?
Be consistent and thorough, record all findings, back off to observe the cat from a distance, and learn from each experience.
What are some findings that should prompt further evaluation before surgery?
Abnormal TPR values, age under 12 weeks or over 6 years, underweight or overweight, history of trauma or systemic disease, significant abnormalities on exam.
What does “Signalment” include in a cat’s examination?
Species, breed, age, sex, reproductive status, and other distinguishing characteristics.
How should you ask owners questions about their cat’s history?
Use open-ended questions to obtain accurate information, e.g., “Have you seen the cat’s stool recently?”
What should be observed during the general appearance and initial observations?
Symmetry, body condition, mental status, posture, gait, and hydration status.
What are the normal heart rate range in cats?
Heart rate: 110-180 bpm (up to 240 bpm if stressed)
What is the normal respiratory rate range in cats?
Respiratory rate: 20-40 breaths per minute (up to 60 bpm if stressed).
What is Capillary Refill Time (CRT) and what does it indicate?
CRT reflects perfusion of peripheral tissues; normal is <2 seconds, longer may indicate compromised circulation.
What are some key areas to examine in the “Head to Toe” systems examination?
Head and neck (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, throat), trunk and limbs, thorax, abdomen, external genitalia, and perineum.
What are the different mucous membrane colors and their possible interpretations?
Pink: Normal; Pale/White: Anaemia or poor perfusion; Blue: Hypoxemia; Brick red: Early shock or sepsis; Yellow: Bilirubin accumulation; Petechiae: Coagulation disorder.
Pink mucous membranes indicate?
Normal
Caused by:
Adequate perfusion/oxygenation of peripheral tissues
Pale/White mucous membranes indicate?
Anaemia, poor perfusion, vasoconstriction.
Possible causes:
Blood loss, shock, decreased peripheral blood flow
Blue (cyanotic) mucous membranes indicate?
Inadequate oxygenation.
Possible causes:
Hypoxemia
Brick red mucous membrane indicate?
Increased perfusion, vasodilation
Possible causes:
Early shock, sepsis, fever, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)
Yellow (jaundiced) mucous membranes indicate?
Bilirubin accumulation
Possible causes:
Hepatic or biliary disorder and/or haemolysis
Petechiae on mucous membranes indicates?
Coagulation disorder.
Possible causes:
Platelet disorder, DIC, coagulation factor deficiencies
How are heart murmurs graded and what does it indicate?
Graded from 1/6 (very soft) to 6/6 (very loud with palpable thrill); the grade reflects loudness but not necessarily the degree of cardiac dysfunction.
What is evaluated when listening to heart murmurs?
Location, Timing, Duration, Character & Grade (loudness).
Evaluating location of heart murmur.
Usually the valve area over which the murmur is loudest = aortic, mitral, tricuspid, pulmonic.
Because of their small size, it is often difficult to allocate a precise location to feline heart murmurs, so they are often classified as being loudest on the left or right side (or on the sternum) and being loudest at the base or apex of the heart (rather than at a specific valve).
Evaluating timing of heart murmur.
The part of the cardiac cycle during which the murmur is heard = systole, diastole or continuous
Evaluating duration of heart murmur.
Refers to the duration within systole or diastole murmur is heard = early systole, holosystolic, diastole
Evaluating character of heart murmur.
The quality of the murmur
o Plateau or regurgitant type (same sound for the duration of murmur)
o Decrescendo, crescendo, crescendo-decrescendo or ejection type (intensity changes throughout duration of murmur)
o Machinery (heard throughout systole and diastole)
o Decrescendo or blowing
Evaluating grade of heart murmur.
Loudness. Subjective assessment, does not necessarily indicate degree of cardiac dysfunction
Grade 1/6 Heart Murmur
Can only be heard in quiet room after several minutes of listening
Grade 2/6 Heart Murmur
Can be heard immediately, but is very soft
Grade 3/6 Heart Murmur
Low to moderately intense
Grade 4/6 Heart Murmur
Loud, but without a palpable thrill
Grade 5/6 Heart Murmur
Loud, with a palpable thrill
Grade 6/6 Heart Murmur
Can be heard with the stethoscope slightly off the thoracic wall
