Physical Examination of Dog and Cat

A physical exam of the dog starts within the waiting room. As the dog is being led to be weighed, the vet should examine its demeanor and gait. The vet should always approach the dog from the side. The vet may kneel down to the dog's level if necessary. Within the consulting room, the vet should assess the behavior of the dog as well as its respiratory effort, and whilst taking history from the owner, the physical exam of the dog follows the order of examining the head, body, and then the tail.

to the dog's level if necessary within the Consulting room the vet should assess the behavior of the dog as well as its respiratory effort and whilst taking history from the owner the physical exam of the dog follows the order of examining the head

So, examination of the head. The assessment of the head begins with examining the symmetry of the head musculature for any wastage. The nasal planum should be examined for any nasal discharge or bleeding. The nostrils should also be observed for slight movement with respiration and any depigmentation or ulceration. Eyes should be examined for any discharge. The conjunctiva should be inspected by retracting the eyelid and rolling it backwards. Inspection of the third eyelid and identification of loose hairs should also be done at this stage. The sclera and cornea should be smooth with no ulceration. The pupils should be examined to be symmetrical and of appropriate size. The lens should be observed for changes in opacity and density. The anterior chamber can be observed for any material by looking side on and through the chamber. The pinna should be examined for any scabs or edema. Once done, the vet should inspect the inner ear for edema, discharge, and a smell indicative of infection. The ear should be gently lifted to straighten the ear canal in order to look through with an otoscope. The lip can be lifted to examine the color and tackiness of the gums. A capillary refill time test can be performed by placing gentle pressure on the teeth. The color should return after 2 seconds.

also be observed for slight movement with respiration and any depigmentation or ulceration eyes should be examined for any discharge the conjunct diver should be inspected by retracting the eyelid and rolling it backwards inspection of the third eyelid and identification of loose

In order to look down the throat, the vet should place their fingers in the gap between the dog's teeth and a finger on the lower jaw to fully open the mouth.

density the anterior chamber can be observed for any material by looking side on and through the chamber the E Pinner should be examined for any scabs or aemma once done the vet should inspect the inner E for athema discharge and a

Examination of the neck. To examine the submandibular lymph nodes, the vet should place their fingers at the RIS of the mandible and filter this subcutaneous tissue between their fingers to locate it. For a large dog, it is approximately the size of a bean. The tissue of the neck should be examined for any skin lesions. The trachea, larynx, and thyroid should be palpated. The thyroid should not be palpable in a healthy dog, whilst palpation of the trachea should elicit a single low cough. Any more than that would be abnormal. Pain and discomfort of the neck should be identified by examining the range of movement of the neck. This can be done by holding the muzzle and lifting it up, lowering it to the ground, and moving it to either side.

performed by placing gentle pressure on the teeth the color should return after 2 seconds in order to look down the throat the vet should Place their fingers in the gap between the dog's teeth and a finger on the lower jaw to fully open

Examination of the body. The body should initially be felt for any lesions in the right direction along the dog's back. The hair should be brushed the opposite way to expose the skin and identify any skin changes and parasites. The body condition of the dog should be assessed by feeling the fat covering the ribs, as well as palpation and observation of a stomach tuck and waist, which are other methods of assessing body condition. The three lymph nodes that should be routinely palpated are the axillary, inguinal, and prescapular lymph nodes. These should not be palpable in the healthy dog. To examine the perineum, the tail should be lifted. It is also good to examine the vulva or the prepuce for any discharge or abnormalities.

the size of a bean the tissue of the neck should be examined for any skin lesions the draa larynx and thyroid should be palpated the thyroid should not be palpable in a healthy dog whilst palpation of the tra should elicit a

Moving on to the abdominal palpation. Internal structures should be palpated by placing a flat hand on the side and pressing slowly towards each other. The abdominal region should begin to relax under the tension of the palms. The loops of intestine should move up and down through the fingers and should be palpated for any abnormal masses. The bladder is situated caudally and should slip between the fingers. A distended bladder should feel like a balloon filled with water as it passes cranially and caudally between the fingers. The pancreas, stomach, kidneys, and the tip of the spleen should be felt cranially. The liver should not be felt. The tip of the left kidney should be felt just behind the ribs, but the right kidney should be situated in the rib cage unless an abnormality is present.

the ground and moving it to either side examination of the body the body should initially be felt for any lesions in the right direction along the dog's back the hair should be brushed the opposite way to expose the skin and

Moving on to the assessment of the limbs of the dog. Each pad should be examined one at a time for fissures, urethra, or ulcerations. The range of motion of the joints should also be examined and palpated for any swellings.

condition the three lymph nodes that should be routinely palpated are the axillary ingano and prescapular lymph nodes these should not be palpable in the Healthy dog to examine the perineurium the tail should be lifted it is also good to

Auscultation of the dog should be done on a standing dog. It is important to palpate the point of maximum intensity to determine the heart rate. In large dogs, there should be three auscultation sites. The mitral valve should be felt at the fifth intercostal area. The aortic valve can be auscultated more dorsally and cranially, and the pulmonic valve more ventrocranially. The pulse should be palpated simultaneously. The tricuspid valve should be auscultated on the right side. In a normal dog, the heart rates are as follows: the large dog should be 70 to 90 beats per minute, and for a small dog, it'll be faster at 100 to 160 beats per minute.

to relax under the tension of the Palms the loops of intestine should move up and down through the fingers and should be palpated for any abnormal masses the bladder is situated cly and should slip between the fingers a distended bladder should feel like a

Here, we want to palpate the jugular veins for any distension. The hepatojugular reflex can be assessed by placing pressure on the abdomen of the dog for intervals of 10 to 30 seconds.

be felt just behind the ribs but the right kidney should be situated in the rib cage unless an abnormal ality is present moving on to the assessment of the limbs of the dog each pad should be examined one at a

The respiration of the dog. Percussion should be performed over the lungs cranially, cordy ventrally, and dorsally. Furthermore, gut sounds should be examined to note increased or absence of movement. It is important to note that the normal respiratory rate is 10 to 30 breaths per minute for a dog.

of maximum intensity to determine the heart rate in large dogs there should be three oscilation sites the mitro valve should be felt at the fifth inter Coastal area the aortic valve can be oated more dorsal cranially and the pulmonic valve

The temperature should be taken by placing the tip of the thermometer in the anus up against the rectal wall. Normal temperature for a dog is 37.8 to 39.2 degrees Celsius.

it'll be faster at 100 to 160 beats per minute here we want to palpate the jugler veins for any distension the the hpat jugular reflex can be assessed by placing pressure on the abdomen of the dog for intervals of

In the examination of a cat, the cat's general demeanor should be initially examined with the vet standing behind or next to the cat. The body condition score of the cat can be examined by palpating the fat cover over the ribs, examining the thickening at the tail base, and palpating and observing an abdominal tuck. The cat should then be placed on the scales and weighed.

that the normal respiratory rate is 10 to 30 breaths per minute for a dog the temperature should be taken by placing the tip of the thermometer in the anus up against a rectal wall normal temperature for a dog is

Examining the head of the cat. The head should initially be observed for symmetry and any muscle wastage. The skin around the peri-orbital region should be examined for any regions of alopecia or edema. The vet should run their fingers along the fur of the cat's head to note for any skin lesions such as abnormal growths. This is an image of the vet running the fingers through the fur of the cat.

cover over the ribs examining the thickening at the tail base and palpating and observing an abdominal tuck the cat should then be placed on the scales and weight examining the head of the cat the head should initially be

The eyes should be examined by lifting the eyelid to look at the conjunctiva, third eyelid, sclera, cornea, pupil, and anterior chamber, similar to in the dog. The third eyelid can be prolapsed by placing the thumb over it and retracting the eyeball. The nasal planum should be examined for any evidence of ulceration or depigmentation, as well as nasal discharge.

for any skin lesions such as abnormal growths and this is an image of the vet running the fingers through the fur of the cat the eyes should be examined by lifting the eyelid to look at the conjunct diva

The mouth should initially be examined for its color, tackiness, and capillary refill time should also be assessed. The gums should be assessed for periodontal disease, which is common in older cats. The mouth can be completely opened by grasping the maxilla, turning the nose to the ceiling, and pressing down on the mandible with the other hand. The vet should examine underneath the tongue by pressing into the intermandibular space.

or depigmentation as well as nasal discharge the mouth should initially be examined for its color tackiness and capillary refill time should be also assessed the gums should be assessed for periodontal disease which is common in older cats the mouth can be completely opened

The region of the neck should be examined for structures such as the larynx, trachea, thyroid gland, and jugular veins. A thyroid flick should be noted by running the thumb and forefinger adjacent to the trachea and down to the region of the thoracic inlet. The ear should be inspected for any abnormal lesions with further investigation into the ear canal using an otoscope.

examined for structures such as the larynx tra thyroid gland and jugular vents a thyroid flick should be noted by running the thumb and forefinger adjacent to the cha and down to the region of the thoracic Inlet the E should be inspected for any

Examination of the lymph nodes. Similar to the dog, the submandibular lymph node can be palpated at the RIS of the mandible by sifting through the subcutaneous tissue. It is common practice to palpate the prescapular lymph nodes in the region of the remnant clavicle. The popliteal lymph node can be found in the hock between the bellies of the gastrocnemius. The inguinal lymph node and axillary lymph node should also be palpated but should not be felt in the healthy cat.

common practice to palpate the prescapular lymph nodes in the region of the remnant clavicle the pop the teal lymph node can be found in the highb between the bellies of the gastrus the ingal lymph node and axillary lymph node should also be

palpated but should not be felt in the healthy cap this is an image of the palpation of the axillary lymph node otation otation is different to the dog in that it is done in the sternal and parisal areas of the

cat the heart should be also T simultaneous with palpation of the fal pulse the normal heart rate for a cat is 120 to 200 beats per minute and here is an example of otation with simultaneous palpation of the

femoral pulse respiration otation of the respiratory system begins at the region of the larynx throat and trachea the cat should also be osculated for lung sounds cranial cordal ventral and dorsal along the thoracic cavity the normal respir rate for the

cat is 20 to 32 breaths per minute abdominal palpation of the cat both hands should be placed on either side of the abdomen and pressed gently and firmly together together to palpate the contents of the abdomen the right kidney may be palpated

by placing a hand firly against the cord or border of the ribs and grasping the abdominal structure the left kidney is more dorsal and can be also palpated kidneys should be assessed for their size and smoothness as well as the presence of

fluid or solid growths in our mid of abdominal region the intestinal tract may be palpated by sliding the lips ventually and moving them dorsy it may also be possible to feel for an enlarged meic lymph node the cordal edges of the liver and

an enlarged spleen may also be palpable in the cat the colon may be palpated in the cordal abdomen the bladder may be palpated by supporting the weight of the cat in one hand and mobilizing it between the thumb

and forefinger the temperature should be taken by inserting a thermometer in the recton against the rectal wall normal temperature for a cat is the same as a dog it is 37.8 to 39.2 De examining the integument of the

cat a flea dirt comb can be used to comb out flea dirt and adult fleas the contents should be removed and placed against white paper for observation this is an example of combing the cats with a flea cone the body of the animal should also

be examined for skin lesions the chin should be observed for feline acne the integument of the ventral abdomen should be examined for aemma and the memory gland should be palpated for any abnormal masses examining the muscular skeletal system of the

cap whilst the animal is in lateral recumbency the digits and the skin of the foot pad should be examined as well as the inter digital space and Nails each joint should be palpated individually and the range of motion

should be assessed by extending and flexing the joints it is also possible to palpate the muscles for any atrophy masses or pain and that ends the physical exam for the cats