Small Animal Clinical Exam

Question 1

What are some key things to a successful PE? A good knowledge of what things is needed?

Answer 1

Good rapport with owner and patient
Knowing the breed/species normals
Knowing the patient
Being thorough

Question 2

What are important things to remember when establishing rapport?

Answer 2

Greet the owner and the patient!

Get the name and gender right!!

Question 3

What things are you looking for when touching the patient?

Answer 3

Size, symmetry, shape, texture, patient response

Question 4

What words can be used to describe a patients demeanour?

Answer 4

BAR. Obtunded, stuporous, comatose. Aggressive?

Question 5

What are the normal TPRs for dogs and cats?

Answer 5

Temp 37.5-38.5

HR Dog - 60-120 (breed and age dependent)
Cat - 180-200 (220) bpm in a consult
Resp 12-30

Question 6

Working from front to back, outline the steps of a physical exam.

Answer 6

BCS
Head (Shape)
Ears
Eyes
MMs
Mouth
Hydration Status
LNs
Heart and Lung Ausculation
Abdomen
Pulses
(Popliteal LN)
Reproductive system
Rectal

Question 7

What other systems might need to be checked?

Answer 7

Orthopaedic
Neurologic
Dermatologic
Opthalmologic

Question 8

What should one look at when assessing MMs?

Answer 8

Colour
Cap refill time
Hydration status (dry/tacky or moist?)

Question 9

How can hydration status be assessed?

Answer 9

Skin turgor
Eye position (e.g. sunken eye)
MMs

n.b. to reliably assess hydration status would need to perform PCV.

Question 10

What can one definitely palpate in the abdomen and what can one maybe palpate?

Answer 10

Definitely - Liver & Spleen

            - Intestinal Loops
            - Bladder

Maybe - Stomach & Kidneys
- Prostate & Colon

Question 11

What differences should you be aware of in a cat physical exam?

Answer 11

Cats are often quiter in an exam and are paler and harder to asses. Need to ALWAYS palpate the thyroid glands and ausculate parasternally. One should also be able to palpate the kidneys in the cat.