PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF DOGS AND CATS FOR PROPER DIAGNOSIS

 A complete and thorough physical examination is critical to every veterinary patient. In patients that present with a history or clinical signs indicative of a disease process or acute illness or injury, the physical examination is an irreplaceable tool in the diagnostic process. The physical examination should not be limited to veterinarians. Careful physical examination provides copious information for the clinician which can guide choices of diagnostic testing and minimize expense in the diagnostic work-up.

The technician is responsible for patient care and should, through the physical exam, be able to determine patient status through technical skills and not rely solely on mechanical readings. Findings should be recorded immediately. The physical exam should begin by simple observation on the mental status of the patient. Record if the patient is conscious of its surroundings, depressed, alert, hypersensitive to the environment, or in a coma-like status.A number of important steps must be included in physical examinations of cats and dogs, although the order in which the steps are completed can vary. Veterinarians should develop the habit of completing each step in the same order for every patient. More is missed by not looking than by not knowing. All examination findings must be recorded in the medical record; a simple “physical exam was normal” notation is not enough. Including details about each body area ensures that any abnormalities will be addressed during follow-up. The physical examination consists of general observation and hands-on examination. The examiner must use the senses of sight, hearing, smell, and touch throughout the examination.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

 

The physical examination is the most important practical skill for a clinician to develop. It can also be one of the most challenging. A good physical examination can detect minor abnormalities before they become serious problems as well as identify major organ dysfunction without extensive and expensive medical tests.

Careful pre-operative assessment is necessary for selection of appropriate anesthetic protocols. Many surgical and anesthetic complications are a result of pre-existing clinical conditions, most of which are associated with abnormalities that could have been identified by a skilled examiner and thorough exam. A good physical exam can point to many conditions and cause a change in anesthetic or surgical technique, monitoring, and support.

Learning to trust your physical exam skills can be challenging as technologic advances and the increasing availability of diagnostic equipment can lead to a reliance on these tools. It is important to remember that you may not always have the ‘bells and whistles’, whether due to availability or client resources.

While a thorough examination is completed at intake before an animal is vaccinated or admitted for surgery, every interaction you have with an animal should be used as an opportunity to assess her physical condition as parameters may change. With experience, this can be done quickly and easily

Be consistent and thorough

Examine the animal from head to tail, and be sure to check everything in between. Develop a consistent method and use it every time. Avoid the temptation to immediately focus on the most obvious complaint. The dog presented for limping might also have a life-threatening head injury. Perform a complete exam regardless of the presenting complaint.

Write it down

Record ALL results (both positive and negative) of your examination. Your colleagues will be using this information to evaluate and track the patient’s condition. It is crucial that exam results are thorough and legible. Remember to sign the exam record so that the next person working with the animal can ask follow-up questions if necessary.

Back off

Don’t forget to back up and examine the animal from a distance. Note how he or she walks, sits, breathes, etc.

Use restraint

It can be extremely difficult to safely restrain and adequately examine an animal at the same time. Be sure to have an assistant restrain her for a thorough exam. Remember, however, that sometimes the best restraint is light or moderate restraint, which decreases the amount of stress on the animal.

Say Hello

Remember to socialize yourself with the animal before abruptly starting the examination. Taking a few moments to develop a relationship with the animal will save time and stress later.

Learn from your experience

The more animals you examine, the more skilled you will become. Make a commitment to yourself to learn something new from every animal you examine. If you have ANY question as to whether a finding is abnormal or how to interpret an exam finding, consult a supervising veterinarian.

 

General Observation –

 

The physical examination begins when the veterinarian enters the examination room. General observation includes assessment of body condition, posture, gait, and behavior. The patient should ideally be off-leash or out of the carrier so that it can move freely and be less anxious. Mentation and behavior can be assessed first. A normal puppy or kitten may be excited and active; conversely, a puppy or kitten with a portosystemic shunt may be flat and difficult to arouse. A blind patient that does not show any signs of blindness in its home environment may bump into furniture in the examination room. When observing the patient, the veterinarian should listen for abnormal breath sounds or grunting. Body size and posture should also be observed. A plantigrade stance could suggest a neuropathy, and neck ventroflexion in a cat may suggest hypokalemia. A hunched posture could suggest cranial abdominal pain. A stiff gait may suggest polyarthritis. A patient reluctant to move its neck or lift its head could have neck pain related to a herniated disk or meningitis. The owner may fail to point out abnormalities such as a head tilt. Close observation of the patient allows the veterinarian to evaluate muscle mass and body condition.

PHYSICAL EXAM  ALERTS

When examining potential surgery patients, keep in mind that you are not only determining their general condition, but evaluating them for anesthetic and surgical risk factors as well. ANY physical exam finding that might impact anesthesia or surgery MUST be evaluated by a designated veterinarian or lead technician BEFORE the animal is admitted for surgery so that any potential risks can be discussed with the client before the animal is admitted. HSVMA-RAVS staff always reserve the right to decline surgery on any animal if we believe that there may be risk factors that can not be adequately evaluated.

Findings that require a designated supervisor’s evaluation include:

• Any animal with TPR values outside the normal range
• Any animal older than 6 years of age or younger than 12 weeks of age
• Any animal weighing less than 5 lbs or more than 75 lbs
• Any animal with a history of diarrhea or vomiting
• Any animal with a history of recent trauma (past month)
• Any animal with significant abnormalities on physical exam (dehydration, heart murmur, upper respiratory infection, etc)

Abnormalities or findings that might impact anesthesia or surgery (e.g. age, physical condition, reproductive status (in heat, pregnant), etc) should be noted in the Alerts area of the Anesthesia Record and on the Surgery Board to alert the anesthesia team to the findings.

PHYSICAL EXAM PROCESS

• Signalment / History
• General Appearance / Initial Observations
• Vital Signs
• Physical Exam (Systems Approach or Head to Toe)
• Surgical / Anesthetic Risk Assessment
• RAVS Animal Condition (RAC) Score

Signalment

• Complete description of the animal
• Species, Breed, Age, Sex, Reproductive status, other distinguishing characteristics
• Always double-check client reported information (sex, age, etc)
• Keep this information in mind as you examine the animal and make clinical

History (Hx)– (see Patient History Form)

• Includes environment, diet, medical history, reproductive history, vaccination status and current
• Description and history of chief/presenting complaint
• Reported concerns should be followed up with additional questions to clarify nature of the complaint

Important note on patient histories

Many of the animals that we treat in the field will be presented by caretakers who do not have extensive information on the animal’s background or even daily observations. The animal may live outdoors or roam free much of the time, preventing the caretaker from making close observations. In order to obtain a useful history, it is important to phrase questions in such a way as to obtain the most accurate information possible. Asking, “Has the animal had diarrhea?” may prompt the client to answer “No”, as they have not observed the animal to have diarrhea. Instead, asking “Have you seen the animal’s stool recently?” will allow you to determine whether the client can provide an accurate description, or whether you may need to look to other physical signs for the information.

GENERAL APPEARANCE / INITIAL OBSERVATIONS (GA)

• General appearance – observe animal from a distance and up close before any handling

ð   Symmetry – note any asymmetry; note any difference in size or shape of extremities

• Body condition / State of nutrition (see Purina Small Animal Body Condition Scoring chart)

ð Assign appropriate Body Condition Score using standard nine point scale (BCS = 1-9)

ð In general, the animal is too thin of his ribs are easily seen, normal if they are readily felt without a layer of fat lying over them and obese if it is difficult to feel them at all

• Mentation / Level of consciousness – attentiveness / reaction to environment

ð Alert and responsive – Depressed – Uncontrolled hyper-excitability – Stupor – Coma

ð e.g: Normal healthy animal’s mentation is often bright, alert and responsive or “BAR”. A healthy puppy may be described as “active and playful,” while a sick puppy may be “moderately depressed and inactive”

• Posture and gait – watch the animal walk to exam area or

ð Look for limping, incoordination or unsteadiness and abnormal limb placement.

• Hydration status – (see ‘Assessing Dehydration’ below)

ð Often expressed as percentage of body weight (0-15%) which can be fairly subjective.

ð For our purposes hydration is reported as either ‘adequate’, ‘marginal’, or ‘inadequate’.

ð Loss of the elasticity of the skin (skin turgor) is first sign of dehydration. Check the skin of the upper eyelid and the neck for tenting

ð Signs of dehydration are more difficult to see in some animals. Skin may “tent” more in emaciated animals and certain breeds (e.g. Sharpei, Basset Hounds). Obese animals may not have skin tenting even when dehydrated.

 

VITAL SIGNS – Evaluated in relation to presenting complaint, history and current health status

§  Body Weight

ð All animals < 20 lbs should be weighed using a pediatric/small animal scale

ð Any animal < 5 lbs or > 75 lbs must be examined by a staff veterinarian for surgery clearance

• Temperature: Via rectal thermometer

ð Normal: 100.5-102.5^oF

ð Examine rectal area for signs of diarrhea, parasites or other abnormality.

ð Any temperature < 99 ^oF or > 105 ^oF warrants immediate evaluation by a supervisor.

ð A patient whose temperature is 103-104.5 ^oF, who is excited/overactive and has no other signs of infection/illness, may be conditionally accepted for surgery with instructions to retake the temp after allowing time to relax. If temp is down to < 103 ^oF, they can be cleared for surgery.

ð Most animals will resist having their temperature taken. Complete the rest of the exam before obtaining a temperature to avoid agitating the animal and making examination more difficult.

ð Do not struggle with an aggressive animal to obtain a temperature. If having difficulty taking an animal’s temperature consult a supervising veterinarian or staff member.

§  Heart/Pulse rate

ð Normal: K9: 80-160 bpm; Fe: 110-200 bpm

ð Evaluate pulse at femoral artery

• Evaluate pulse rate, strength and quality (e.g., strong, weak, thready, bounding)
• Compare both sides and heart rate: pulse rate < heart rate = pulse deficità consult DVM

§  Respiratory rate and character

ð Normal: K9: 15-30 bpm; Fe: 20-40 bpm

ð RR determined visually or by auscultation. Count either inspirations or expirations.

• Perfusion Indicators – (see ‘Assessing Mucous Membrane Color’ below)

ð Mucous membrane color (MM)-provides indication of the blood flow to peripheral tissues.

• Any abnormal mucous membrane color should be brought to the attention of a supervisor

ð Capillary refill time (CRT) – reflects perfusion of peripheral tissues

• Press on an area of mucous membrane. The gums will “blanch” white as they are pressed and become pink again when pressure is

§  Normal: < 2 seconds

• Prolonged CRT (> 2 seconds) may indicate compromised circulation due to cold, shock, cardiovascular disease, anemia or other causes and must be further evaluated by a supervisor before admitting the animal for

SYSTEMS OR HEAD TO TOE EXAM

 

Head and Neck (EENT/Mouth)

• Compare both sides of face and head for symmetry.
• Assess eyes for size, position, discharge – lids, conjunctiva, sclera, pupil, cornea, lens

ð Note discharge, inflammation, redness, uneven/abnormal pupil size, corneal clouding, squinting

• Evaluate nose and nares for symmetry, conformation, and evidence of discharge

ð Classify discharge: (serous, purulent, hemorrhagic, mucoid or mucopurulent)

• Examine oral cavity – lips, mucous membranes, teeth, hard and soft palate, tongue, pharynx, tonsils
• Evaluate carriage and position of ears, thickness/malleability of pinnae and cleanliness of ear canals
• Palpate the submandibular lymph nodes
• Palpate salivary glands (normally palpable), larynx and thyroid gland (not normally palpable)
• Palpate the trachea – note coughing, swelling,

Trunk and Limbs (INTEG, M/S, PLN)

• Inspect body for symmetry, masses, tenderness,
• Palpate each limb and joint: Note abnormalities in angulation, deformities, swelling, bleeding, bony protrusions, obvious fractures or joint luxations, range of motion, atrophy, knuckling, crepitus,

ð Assess all limbs in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing positions

ð Note the condition of the feet, nails or hooves

• Evaluate muscle mass and tone
• Examine skin and haircoat for alopecia, masses, parasites, dryness, excessive oil, matting,

ð Include identification of ectoparasites (fleas, ticks, lice)

ð Given the high incidence of mange in many of the communities RAVS serves, animals exhibiting clinical signs of sarcoptes (generalized alopecia, intense pruritis) are generally treated with ivermectin according to the appropriate protocols. Skin scrapings can be performed if warranted and time/resources permit.

• Palpate pelvic region for conformation and symmetry
• Palpate vertebral column to assess for deviations and pain
• Palpate peripheral lymph nodes (PLN): submandibular, prescapular, axillary, inguinal and popliteal

ð Normal lymph nodes should be firm, and freely moveable. Enlarged or asymmetric lymph nodes may indicate a local or systemic infection, allergy or neoplastic disease

ð Normally palpable: submandibular, prescapular, popliteal, inguinal (prescapular and inguinal can be difficult to locate in small or overweight animals). Not normally palpable: axillary

Thorax

• Observe and palpate the thorax for conformation, symmetry, masses,

§  Cardiac auscultation (CV)

ð Palpate the area between the fourth and sixth intercostal spaces on both sides of the thorax for the point of maximum intensity (PMI) of the heartbeat and any cardiac thrills.

ð Evaluate heart rate (HR) and rhythm (count beats for 15 seconds and multiply by 4)

ð Normal heart sounds:

• ‘Lub-Dub’ = Should be a short time gap between heart sounds
• S1 = loud, long, low pitch (closure of AV valves) ; S2 = closure of semilunar valves

ð Abnormal heart sounds:

• Arrhythmia = e.g. sinus arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, heart block, premature ventricular contractions, gallop rhythm (three or four sounds instead of two)
  • Sinus arrhythmia = Slight increase in heart rate during inspiration and decrease with Normal finding. More common in the dog than in the cat.
• Murmur (see ‘Evaluating Heart Murmurs’ below)
  • Prolonged series of audible vibrations during normally silent part of cardiac
  • Often heard as a soft, swooshing
  • Murmurs are described on basis of location, timing, duration, character and grade
• Muffled heart sounds may be a result of fluid in the chest – if having difficulty hearing the heartbeat do not assume it is just you – it never hurts to get a second opinion.

ð Auscult the heart in multiple locations on both the right and left sides of the chest. A heart murmur or other abnormality may go undetected unless each valve is ausculted independently.

ð Locations to auscult specific heart valves:

• Left 4^th-6^th (PMI) = intercostal space just above the sternal border = mitral valve
• Left 2^nd-4^th intercostal space above sternal border = pulmonic valve
• Left 3^rd-5^th intercostal space at mid thorax = aortic valve
• Right 3^rd-5^th intercostal space at mid thorax = tricuspid valve

ð Any doubts or concerns about an animal’s cardiovascular status or the presence of a murmur or arrhythmia should be brought to the attention of a supervising veterinarian.

 §  Respiratory auscultation (RESP)

ð Listen for noisy breathing at mouth and nares without stethoscope, then auscult at least four different areas of the chest, including right and left ventral and right and left dorsal lung fields.

ð Respiratory Rate (RR) – assess visually or auscult and count breaths per minute

ð   Depth / Effort – watch degree of chest movement (normal, shallow, deep)

ð   Character – note sounds and any difficulty on inspiration and/or expiration

• Normal respiratory sounds: vesicular / bronchial (soft, breezy/rustling sounds)
• Abnormal lung sounds:
  • ‘Wheezes’ (continuous high pitched hissing heard more often on expiration) – occur with small airway diseases such as asthma
  • ‘Rales/crackles’ (course to fine – discontinuous, nonmusical, brief sounds heard more commonly on inspiration) – may be heard when fluid in the lungs
  • ‘Rhonchi’ (musical sounds-low or high pitched) or
  • ‘Wheezes’(continuous high pitched hissing heard more often on expiration)
  • ‘Dull’ lung sounds may indicate pneumonia, or consolidation
  • Absence of breath sounds may indicate pleural space disease (pleural effusion) or space-occupying lesions

ð Changes may be associated with location of respiratory system disease

• Loud breathing = large airway disease (nasal passages, trachea, larynx/pharynx)
• Inspiratory noise or difficulty = extra thoracic airway disease (esp. the larynx)
• Expiratory noise or difficulty = intrathoracic tracheal disease
• Rapid/shallow breathing = pleural space disease (fluid or air)
• Difficulty breathing on both inspiration and expiration = lung

ð Signs of respiratory distress (dyspnea) will change as disease progresses.

• First sign usually change in respiratory
• Next a change in respiratory rhythm and character (depth).
• Posturing is a very late sign of respiratory disease: may be standing or sitting with back arched, neck extended, and elbows out and will be reluctant to lie down.
• Other signs include exaggerated chest or abdominal movements on inspiration, open-mouth breathing and flared nostrils. In extreme cases the animal may become cyanotic

ð Any abnormal lung sounds or perceived abnormalities in respiratory rate or effort should be further evaluated by a supervising veterinarian.

 Abdomen (ABD)

• Inspect for distention, deformity, displacement, symmetry, and bruising
• Auscultate abdomen to detect intestinal hypermotility or hypomotility

§  Abdominal palpation

ð Using 1 or 2 hands, begin at the spine and move ventrally, allowing the abdominal viscera to slip through the fingers. Repeat throughout abdomen, noting organ size and location and the presence of, fluid, gas, fetuses, masses or feces. Note any pain or guarding of the abdomen.

ð General identifications:

• Cranial abdomen – stomach, liver, spleen, area of pancreas, small intestine
• Mid-abdomen – spleen, kidneys, small intestine
• Caudal abdomen – urinary bladder, prostate, uterus, colon, small intestine

 

ð Notes on Specific Organs:

• Stomach: If animal has recently eaten, may be palpable behind ribs to mid-abdomen
• Liver: edges normally sharp and well defined (non-palpable in most patients)
• Small intestines: masses, foreign bodies, pain on palpation
• Kidneys: Right more cranial than left (usually not palpable in K9)
• Bladder: Pear-shaped in dog, spherical in cat

External Genitalia and Perineum

• Always verify sex and reproductive status – don’t assume client has provided accurate info
• Inspect perianal area for hair mats, hernias, feces, masses and evidence of discharge
• In dogs – palpate for impacted or abscessed anal sacs

Male

• Inspect prepuce and penis-noting any discharge, inflammation, tumors
• Expose penis and look for masses and evidence of trauma, note any color abnormalities
• If intact – inspect both testicles for symmetry, size, location (both descended) and conformation

Female

• Palpate and visually assess mammary glands for tumors, cysts, swelling, heat or discharge
• Inspect vulva for size, inflammation, discharge (blood, pus), polyps, tumors or structural defects

Note – External Parasites: Evidence of parasitism should be recorded during the physical exam in association with the relevant body system. In addition, in order to obtain community animal health data the physical examination form includes a separate area to record parasites identified.

 

SURGICAL / ANESTHETIC RISK FACTORS: Before developing a treatment plan and approving the patient for surgery, any potential history, signalment or clinical findings that may impact anesthesia or surgery should be considered and discussed with a supervising veterinarian. Additional pre-anesthetic work up may be required to determine whether the patient will be accepted for surgery. It is important to record this information clearly and accurately for the benefit of the anesthetists and others who may handle the patient later.

 

REVIEW / RECORD FINDINGS: At the end of your exam, take a moment to review your notes and be sure that you have covered everything. If at any time you identify a problem that you feel is an emergency, immediately notify a veterinarian. Any significant abnormalities should be evaluated by a veterinarian prior to the animal being admitted for surgery or released. The evaluating veterinarian should record their findings in the appropriate section of the exam record.

Use descriptive, factual language when describing your physical exam findings. If you are making an educated guess, distinguish that from something you know for certain. This helps prevent you from going down the wrong track prematurely. Once a diagnosis has been written down, it is surprisingly hard to remain open to other possible explanations. At this stage, it’s best to remain open to all possibilities.

 

HANDS-ON-EXAMINATION OF PETS:

 

Before starting a hands-on exam, stand back and look at your pet for a few minutes. The posture, breathing, activity level, and general appearance can tell you a lot.

Now start the physical exam, making sure to look at the following areas. Consult a veterinarian if an abnormal condition exists or you are concerned about any exam findings.

A hands-on physical exam in the comfort of your own home is the best way to learn what is normal for your pet.

Nose

Normal:  Moist and clean

Abnormal:

• Dry or cracked
• Nasal discharge (such as thick greenish mucus)
• Bleeding

Skin

The skin is an important indicator of overall health.  Feel your pet’s skin and haircoat, noting any masses or sores. Many older pets can develop accumulations of fatty tissue known as lipomas. In order to differentiate these benign masses from cancerous ones, it is important to have your pet evaluated by your veterinarian and have an aspirate performed. This simple and quick procedure can help your veterinarian determine the nature of the lump and help you decide if further tests or treatment are needed.

Normal

• Shiny and smooth haircoat
• Soft and unbroken skin
• Minimal odor

Abnormal

• Sparse or patchy haircoat
• Open sores or sounds
• Oily or greenish discharge
• Foul or rancid odor

Eyes

Normal

• Bright, moist, and clear
• Centered between the eyelid
• Pupils equal in size
• Whites of the eye should not appear colored (such as red or yellow) and should have only a few visible blood vessels
• Pupils shrink equally when bright light is shined into either eye
• Pupils enlarge equally when the eyes are held closed or the room darkened.

Abnormal

• Dull, sunken eyes. Eyes that appear dry. Thick discharge from eyes.
• One or both eyes not centered.
• Pupils unequal in size.
• Abnormal colors that indicate problems are yellow (jaundice), or red (bloodshot).
• Pupils fail to respond or respond differently when bright light is shined into either eye.
• Pupils fail to respond or respond differently to the dark.

Pay close attention to the color of the whites of your pet’s eyes, as well as the pupils’ response to changes in light.

Ears

Chronic ear problems are common in pets, and are often a result of allergies to inhaled pollen (like hay fever in people) that are then complicated by secondary infections with bacteria or fungus. Ear infections can be painful and head shaking can lead to an accumulation of blood (or hematoma) in the floppy part of the ear called the pinna.

Normal

• Skin smooth and without wounds
• Clean and dry
• Almost odor-free
• Typical carriage for breed
• Pain-free

Abnormal

• Wounds or scabs on skin. Lumps or bumps on skin. Any sign of rash
• Crust, moisture, or other discharge in ear canal
• Any strong odor from the ear
• Atypical carriage for breed; for example, a droopy ear in a breed with normally erect ears
• Painful or swollen ears.

Your pet’s ears should be clean and odor-free.

Mouth

Normal

• Teeth are clean and white
• Gums are uniformly pink.

Abnormal

• Tartar accumulation around the base of the teeth
• The gums are red, pale, inflamed, or sore in appearance.

Press on the gum tissue with your finger or thumb and release quickly. Watch the color return to the gums. This checks the capillary refill time (CRT) and is a crude assessment of how well the heart and circulatory system are working. A normal CRT is 1 to 2 seconds for color to return. This can be a difficult test to interpret sometimes (for example, if your pet has dark or pigmented gums), and should not be relied upon as definitive evidence that your pet is sick or healthy.

Gums should be pink — teeth should be clean and white.

Neck, Chest, and Breathing

Normal

• It is difficult to hear the pet breathe at all except when he or she is panting.
• The chest wall moves easily to and fro during respiration.
• Most of the act of breathing is performed by the chest wall.

Abnormal

• Any unusual noise heard while the pet is breathing could indicate a problem, especially if the noise is new for the pet.
• There is noticeable effort by the pet to move the chest wall.
• The abdomen is actively involved in the act of inhaling and exhaling.
• The pet stands with elbows held out further than normal or, is unable to rest or lie down.

Abdomen (Stomach)

Touch and feel (palpate) the stomach. Start just behind the ribs and gently press your hands into the abdomen, feeling for abnormalities. If your pet has just eaten, you may be able to feel an enlargement in the left part of the abdomen just under the ribs. Proceed toward the rear of the body, passing your hands gently over the abdomen.

Normal

• No lumps, bumps, or masses
• No discomfort on palpation
• No distension of the abdominal wall.

Abnormal

• Any lump, bump, or mass may be abnormal.
• Palpation causes groaning or difficulty breathing. Any evidence or indication of pain is a serious finding. Use caution to avoid being bitten.
• The abdomen feels hard or tense and it appears distended.

Any pain felt during an abdominal palpation could be a problem. Consult your veterinarian.

Skin Turgor Test 

The skin turgor test may is helpful to determine whether an animal is well hydrated. (See dehydration.) This test can be affected by several factors other than hydration status, such as weight loss, age and general skin condition, but it can help you make a rough determination of your pet’s hydration status. To perform this test, pull the skin over the chest or back into a tent and release it quickly; avoid the skin of the neck as it’s often too thick for this test. Observe the skin as it returns to its resting position.

Normal

• The skin snaps back into position quickly.

Abnormal

• The skin returns slowly or remains slightly tented. This is a sign of possible dehydration.

Pulse and Heart Rate

Learn to locate the pulse on your pet before a crisis. The best place on a cat or dog is the femoral artery in the groin area. Place your fingers around the front of the hind leg and move upward until the back of your hand meets the abdominal wall. Move your fingertips back and forth on the inside of the thigh until you feel the pulsing sensation as the blood rushes through the artery. Count the number of pulses in 15 seconds and multiply by 4. This will give you the pulse rate in beats per minute (bpm). Pulse rate is a highly variable finding and can be affected by recent exercise, excitement or stress. Do not use the heart rate at the sole evidence that your pet is sick or healthy.

Resting heart rates listed are for healthy animals at rest at home, not for animals evaluated in a veterinary clinic where higher heart rates than those listed might be detected due to excitement, stress of a visit to the clinic, or disease.

Normal

• Cats: 100 to 160 beats per minute (bpm). A relaxed cat may have a slower pulse.
• Dogs: 60 to 160 bpm. Relaxed or athletic dogs tend to have slower heart rates.
• Pulse is easily palpated, strong, and regular.
• Normal resting rate is 15 to 60 breaths per minute. A sleeping or resting cat would be near the low end, while an active cat would be higher.
• An increased resting respiratory rate may be a sign that a disease is progressing. If you know your cat’s normal resting rate is 15 breaths a minute, and after living with heart disease the resting rate goes up to 30 while the cat is asleep, the doubled rate means it’s time to see the veterinarian again.

Abnormal

• Too rapid or too slow
• Pulse is weak, irregular, or hard to locate.

Learn how to properly take your pet’s pulse.

Temperature 

Taking your pet’s temperature is an easy and important procedure.  Use a digital rectal thermometer. The ear ones are less reliable and a rectal one should be used. Digital thermometers are easier to read and can be inexpensively purchased at a pharmacy.

Rectal temperatures are more accurate than axillary (between the front leg and the body) temperatures. Lubricate the thermometer with petroleum jelly. Gently and slowly insert the thermometer into the rectum about 1 or 2 inches. If it does not slide in easily, do not force it. Leave it in for 2 minutes (or until the thermometer beeps), then read and record the temperature.

Normal

• Temperature is between 101F and 102.5F.
• The thermometer is almost clean when removed.

Abnormal

• Temperature is below 100F or above 103F.
• There is evidence of blood, diarrhea, or black, tarry stool on the thermometer.

It may be easier to take your cat’s temperature if you have someone to help you. Do not risk taking your pet’s temperature if you feel there is a risk of being bitten.

Normals: A Final Note

Know the normals for your pet. Record the results of your pet’s home examination using the outline on the following page. Watch your pet closely so you know when something is wrong. Become familiar with these normals before a crisis so you can recognize an abnormal finding.

Normal Values for my Pet

My pet ______________________ has the following normal values:
Normal Weight: _______________ pounds
Resting Heart Rate (Pulse): ______________________ beats per minute
Resting Respiratory Rate: ______________________ breaths per minute
Rectal Temperature: ______________________ degrees Fahrenheit
Normal Gum Color: ______________________
Normal Whites of the Eyes: ______________________

APPENDIX- PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

 

PHYSICAL EXAM / TREATMENT RECORD

 

Age:                       

Species: Canine / Feline      Sex: Male / Female

(0-4 mos = pediatric) / (4-6 mos) / (6-12 mos) / (1-3 yrs) / (4-6 yrs) / (6-10 yrs) / (>10 yrs)

 

Previous medical history / Recent illness/injury: _ _______________________________________________        

Behavior: Gentle / Social      Fearful / Possible Caution     Aggressive / Feral

PHYSICAL EXAM                     Examined by:_________________________________ time:                            

 

Wt                lb    Temp                ^oF    Pulse               bpm    Resp Rate               bpm    MM/CRT            /          

 

BCS (1-9):                    

Hydration (adequate/ marginal/ inadeqaute):                          

Mentation:              _             _

 

 

GA	_                                       _                                       _                                       _
INTEG	_                                       _                                       _                                       _
EENT	_                                       _                                       _                                       _
CV	_                                       _                                       _                                       _
RESP	_                                       _                                       _                                       _
NERV	_                                       _                                       _                                       _
M/S	_                                       _                                       _                                       _
ABD/GI	_                                       _                                       _                                       _
GU	_                                       _                                       _                                       _
PLN	_                                       _                                       _                                       _

 

Addtl Comments:                                                      _                                       _                                       _             _

                                       _                                       _                                       _                                       _                

 

_
External Parasites:       None	Fleas or flea dirt                  Ear mites	Ticks: 1-10 /	> 10
Mange —	Sarcoptes /    Demodex — Dx based on:	Clinical signs /	Microscopic ID

 

Examined by veterinarian / staff technician?      DVM/RVT:                          _                    time:            _        

DVM/RVT Notes ______________________________________________________________________________        

Abbreviations: Some commonly used medical abbreviations to describe physical exam findings include:

TPR: Temperature, pulse and respiratory rate

BAR: Bright, alert and responsive (responsive animal who is aware of their surroundings –not acting sick) QAR: Quiet, alert and responsive (still aware, but not as happy/active)

 

GA: general appearance INTEG: integument

EENT: eyes, ears, nose, throat (and mouth) CV: cardiovascular

RESP: respiratory M/S: musculoskeletal

NERV: nervous

ABD: abdomen (gastrointestinal / genitourinary) PLN: peripheral lymph nodes

BCS: Body Condition Score (1-9) RACS: RAVS Animal Condition Score

 

 

OS: Left eye	OD: Right eye	OU: Both eyes
AS: Left ear	AD: Right ear	AU: Both ears
d/c: discharge	v/d: vomiting/diarrhea	c/s: coughing/sneezing

 

Helpful hint: The abbreviations “S” for left and “D” for right date back to the days when left handed people were considered Sinister while right handed people were admired for their Dexterity. The “U” can be thought of as standing for Universal J.

 

Assessing Dehydration:

0-5%	Adequate	No abnormalities seen – skin immediately returns to normal position after tenting, CRT normal, eyes normal, mucous membranes pink and moist
5-8%	Marginal	Slight delay (2-4 seconds) in return of the skin to normal position, slight increase in CRT (2 sec), eyes slightly sunken in sockets, mucous membranes slightly dry or tacky
8-10%	Inadequate	Obvious delay (5-10 seconds) in skin returning to normal position, increased CRT (2- 2.5 sec), eyes sunken in sockets, mucous membranes dry, slightly tacky
10-12%		Skin remains tented (10-30 seconds), CRT increased dramatically (3+ sec), eyes very sunken, dry mucous membranes, animal is depressed, may see signs of shock (cool extremities, rapid/weak pulse, tachycardia)
12-15%		State of shock, death is probable

 

 

Assessing Mucous Membrane Color

 

Color	Interpretation	Possible Causes
Pink	Normal	Adequate perfusion/oxygenation of peripheral tissues
Pale or White	Anemia, poor perfusion, vasoconstriction	Blood loss, shock, decreased peripheral blood flow
Blue (cyanotic)	Inadequate oxygenation	Hypoxemia
Brick Red	Increased perfusion, Vasodilation	Early shock, sepsis, fever, systemic inflammatory response syndrome
Yellow (icteric)	Bilirubin accumulation	Hepatic or biliary disorder and/or hemolysis
Brown	Methemoglobinemia	Acetaminophen toxicity in cats, intravascular hemolysis
Petechiae (red splotching)	Coagulation disorder	Platelet disorder, DIC, coagulation factor deficiencies

 

Evaluating Heart Murmurs

Description of Heart Murmurs

Location: Usually the valve area over which the murmur is loudest = Aortic / Mitral / Tricuspid / Pulmonic
May also be described in relation to chest structure (e.g. sternal border)
Timing: The part of the cardiac cycle during which the murmur is heard = Systole / Diastole / Continuous
Duration: Refers to the duration within cardiac cycle murmur is heard = Early systole/ Holosystolic/ Diastole
Character: The quality of the murmur
-Plateau or regurgitant type (same sound for the duration of murmur)
-Decrescendo, crescendo, crescendo-decrescendo or ejection type (intensity changes throughout
duration of murmur)
-Machinery (heard throughout systole and diastole)
-Decrescendo or blowing
Grade: Loudness. Subjective assessment, does not necessarily indicate degree of cardiac dysfunction
1/6 – Can only be heard in quiet room after several minutes of listening
2/6 – Can be heard immediately, but is very soft
3/6 – Low to moderately intense
4/6 – Loud, but without a palpable thrill
5/6 – Loud, with a palpable thrill
6/6 – Can be heard with the stethoscope slightly off the thoracic wall

EDITED ,COMPILED & SHARED BY-DR UK ANAND,CANINE CONSULTANT, NOIDA

REFERENCE-ON REQUEST