Ovine Physical Exam

Question 1

What are you looking for in the distance exam on a sheep?

Answer 1

Look particularly for lameness, coughing, and general condition of the flock. You are unlikely to be able to count the respiratory rate from a distance, but do observe the breathing characteristics of the flock as a whole, and of your sheep amongst them. Observe attitude, carriage of head and ears, coat or wool condition, condition of hooves, overall body condition (though body condition scoring is done by palpation), obvious asymmetries, lameness, soiling of the rear end by diarrhea. Sick sheep may separate from the flock, but generally they mask signs of illness until they are very sick

Question 2

How do you catch a sheep?

Answer 2

hand under the mandible and behind the rump or by the hind leg

Question 3

What is the normal temp in a sheep?

Answer 3

102.0- 104.0 F

Question 4

What is normal ruminations?

Answer 4

~2/ min

Question 5

How long do you listen to the rumen?

Answer 5

2 minutes

Question 6

What lymph nodes can be palpated?

Answer 6

Submandibular, pre-scapular and pre-femoral

Question 7

Normal pulse in a sheep

Answer 7

70-90/min

Question 8

Normal respiration in a sheep?

Answer 8

12-20 bpm

Question 9

How do you age a sheep?

Answer 9

Question 10

Where do you listen for lung sounds in a sheep?

Answer 10

Cranial ventral border at 6th rib, mid thorax at 7th rib, caudal border at 11th rib

Question 11

Where are heart sounds best heard in a sheep?

Answer 11

Heart sounds best heard in axilla between 2nd and sixth rib. Take care to push the head of the stethoscope under the elbow to listen to the cranial portion of the heart.

Question 12

What bacteria causes ovine foot rot?

Answer 12

Fusobacterium necrophorum

Question 13

T/F: ORF is not a zoonosis

Answer 13

False! It most certainly is, watch for crusty faced sheeps!!