Physical Exam Physical Exam

We Want All Our Loved Ones to We Want All Our Loved Ones to Be and Stay HealthyBe and Stay Healthy

Family

Friends

Pets

ObjectivesObjectivesAfter this lessons, students should be

able to:• Explain why physical exams are

important to the health of the pet• Identify the “vital signs” • Be able to perform a physical exam

and monitor their own animal

Questions for StudentsQuestions for StudentsDo any of you have pets?

Have you gone with your parents to the vet clinic?

What does a vet do when you take your pet in for their yearly appointment?

Why Is a Physical Exam Why Is a Physical Exam Important?Important?

• Allows you to find signs of sickness that are not obvious.

• Helps you to determine the extent of the injury or illness

Physical ExamPhysical Exam• On a physical you look at all the body

systems and how they are working– All body systems are related in function– If one doesn’t work properly it may limit what

you can do medically– A veterinarian may pick up on something that

the owners didn’t see or know was significant• Heart murmur• Growth problem• Skin problem• Parasites

First Thing: First Thing: Check the HistoryCheck the History

• Check the records of past visits

• Get info. from the owner

• Listen carefully, ask questions.

What is Your Overall First What is Your Overall First Impression?Impression?

… of skin, muscle tone, movements, behavior, attitude?

Physical ExamPhysical Exam• Things a Vet will

need– Stethoscope– Otoscope– Thermometer– Pen light– Neuro hammer

Listen to Heart & LungsListen to Heart & Lungs

The first thing a vet may do is listen to your animal’s heart and lungs.

Normal Heart Sound

Measure TemperatureMeasure Temperature

Next, the veterinarian

may take the animal’s

temperature.

Head to Toe ExaminationHead to Toe Examination

After the heart & respiratory rates and temperature are measured, the

animal is examined from head to toe.

Take SamplesTake Samples• If the animal is sick, the veterinarian

may take samples of blood, urine, or feces

Give VaccinationsGive Vaccinations

The last thing the vet may do is give the vaccinations.

Normal RatesNormal Rates• Cat

– Resp: 16-40 bpm– Temp: 101.5°F– HR: 120-140 bpm

• Dog– Resp: 18-34 bpm– Temp: 102°F– HR:70-120 bpm

• Pig– Resp: 32-58 bpm– Temp: 102.5°F– HR: 70-120 bpm

• Horse– Resp: 10-14 bpm– Temp: 99-100°F

• males lower– HR: 28-40 bpm

• Cow– Resp: 26-50 bpm– Temp: 101-101.5°F– HR: 48-84 bpm

• Sheep/goat– Resp: 16-34 bpm– Temp: 102.3°F– HR: 70-80 bpm

Monitoring Your PetMonitoring Your Pet• Monitoring your pet can be helpful to

your veterinarian when something happens at home.– Is respiration increased– Has the heart rate gone up– Is there swelling– Does the animal have a fever– Has the behavior changed? – Does the animal lack energy or seem

depressed?