Performing the Small Animal Physical Examination

Performing the Small Animal Physical Examination offers an easy-to-follow guide to successfully executing a thorough physical exam in cats and dogs, with nearly 1,000 clinical photographs depicting step-by-step details.  

• Provides comprehensive, practical information on the physical examination in small animal patients
• Presents nearly 1,000 color photographs with step-by-step details of the procedures and principles
• Offers advice on preparing the examination room, useful tips, and concrete guidance for examining each body system
• Outlines a systematic, in-depth approach to the initial examination in dogs and cats
• Supports new and experienced veterinarians and veterinary technicians alike in performing a thorough basic exam

The author
Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice), is Assistant Professor of Small Animal Primary Care at Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine in Glendale, Arizona, USA.

About the Author

Preface

Acknowledgments

Part One Performing the Feline Physical Examination

1 Setting the Stage: Feline-Friendly Practice

1.1 Challenges Faced in Feline Practice

1.2 The Emergence of Feline-Friendly Practice

1.3 Key Principles of Feline-Friendly Practice

1.4 The Role of Sound

1.5 The Role of Tactile Stimulation

1.6 The Role of Scent

1.7 The Role of Advance Preparation

1.8 Examination Room Etiquette: Accessing the Cat

1.9 Recognizing Body Language

1.10 Feline-Friendly Handling

1.11 Other Feline Handling Tools

2 Assessing the Big Picture: the Body, the Coat, and the Skin of the Cat

2.1 Forms of Identification

2.2 Body Condition Scoring

2.3 Assessing Hydration

2.4 Inspecting the Coat: First Impressions

2.5 Identifying Coat Colors and Coat Patterns

2.6 Assessing Coat Quality

2.7 Inspecting the Skin

3 Examining the Head of the Cat

3.1 Skull Shape and Facial Symmetry

3.2 The Eyes and Accessory Visual Structures

3.3 The Ears

3.4 The Nose

3.5 The Extra-Oral Examination

3.6 The Intra-Oral Examination

4 Examining the Endocrine and Lymphatic Systems of the Cat

4.1 Evaluating the Thyroid Gland

4.2 Assessing the Lymphatic System

5 Examining the Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems of the Cat

5.1 The Cardiac Patient

5.2 Assessing the Cardiovascular System Prior to Auscultation

5.3 Cardiothoracic Auscultation

5.4 The Respiratory Patient

5.5 Assessing the Respiratory System Prior to Auscultation

5.6 Understanding Normal Airway Sounds

5.7 Ausculting the Airway

5.8 Understanding Adventitious Airway Sounds

5.9 Using Airway Sounds to Corroborate Percussive Findings

5.10 Purring as an Obstruction to Auscultation

6 Examining the Abdominal Cavity of the Cat

6.1 Overview of the Digestive Tract as It Pertains to Presenting Complaints

6.2 The Esophagus

6.3 Visual Inspection of the Abdomen

6.4 Superficial Palpation of the Abdomen

6.5 Deep Palpation of the Abdomen

6.6 The Upper Urinary Tract

6.7 The Lower Urinary Tract

6.8 The Male Reproductive Tract

6.9 The Female Reproductive Tract

6.10 Being Presented with a Female of Unknown Sexual Status

6.11 Neonates

7 Examining the Musculoskeletal System of the Cat

7.1 Muscle Condition Score (MCS)

7.2 The Skeleton as a Whole

7.3 The Appendicular Skeleton: The Forelimb

7.4 The Appendicular Skeleton: The Hind Limb

8 Evaluating the Nervous System of the Cat

8.1 Assessing Behavior and Mental Status

8.2 Assessing Posture

8.3 Assessing Coordination and Gait

8.4 Assessing Postural Reactions

8.5 Assessing for Other Abnormal Movements

8.6 Evaluating the Spinal Reflexes

8.7 Assessing the Cranial Nerves

8.8 Assessing Nociception

Part Two Performing the Canine Physical Examination

9 Setting the Stage: Canine-Friendly Practice and Low-Stress Handling

9.1 Challenges Faced in Canine Practice

9.2 The Concept of Low-Stress Handling

9.3 White Coat Syndrome

9.4 The Role of Scent

9.5 The Role of Advance Preparation

9.6 Examination Room Etiquette: Setting the Tone for Initial Veterinary Interactions with the Dog

9.7 Recognizing Body Language

9.8 Creative Approaches to Challenging Interactions with Canine Patients

9.9 Other Canine Handling Tools

10 Assessing the Big Picture: the Body, the Coat, and the Skin of the Dog

10.1 Forms of Identification

10.2 Body Condition Scoring

10.3 Assessing Hydration

10.4 Breed Designation

10.5 Inspecting the Coat: First Impressions

10.6 Identifying Coat Colors and Coat Patterns

10.7 Assessing Coat Quality

10.8 Inspecting the Skin

10.9 Primary Skin Lesions

10.10 Secondary Skin Lesions

10.11 Miscellaneous Skin Lesions

10.12 Hyperkeratosis

10.13 Skin Folds

10.14 Nails and Paw Pads

10.15 Skin Incisions

10.16 Mammary Glands

11 Examining the Head of the Dog

11.1 Skull Shape: Function Versus Cosmesis

11.2 Facial symmetry

11.3 The Eyes and Accessory Visual Structures

11.4 The Ears

11.5 The Nose

11.6 The Extra-Oral Examination

11.7 The Intra-Oral Examination

12 Examining the Endocrine and Lymphatic Systems of the Dog

12.1 Thyroid Gland Neoplasia in the Dog

12.2 The Typical Presentation of Thyroid Gland Neoplasia in the Dog

12.3 The Pathophysiology of Hypothyroidism

12.4 The Typical Presentation of a Hypothyroid Dog

12.5 The Atypical Presentation of a Hypothyroid Dog

12.6 Assessing the Lymphatic System

12.7 Examining the Submandibular Lymph Nodes

12.8 Examining the Superficial Cervical or Pre-Scapular Lymph Nodes

12.9 Examining the Popliteal Lymph Nodes

12.10 Feeling for Lymph Nodes That Should Not Be Present

13 Examining the Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems of the Dog

13.1 Congenital Heart Disease in the Dog

13.2 Acquired Heart Disease in the Dog

13.3 Assessing the Cardiovascular System Prior to Auscultation

13.4 Cardiothoracic Auscultation

13.5 The Respiratory Patient

13.6 Assessing the Respiratory System Prior to Auscultation

13.7 Understanding Normal Airway Sounds

13.8 Ausculting the Airway

13.9 Understanding Adventitious Airway Sounds

13.10 Panting as an Obstruction to Auscultation

14 Examining the Abdominal Cavity of the Dog

14.1 Overview of the Digestive Tract

14.2 The Esophagus

14.3 Visual Inspection of the Abdomen

14.4 Auscultion and Superficial Palpation of the Abdomen

14.5 Deep Palpation of the Abdomen

14.6 The Upper Urinary Tract

14.7 The Lower Urinary Tract

14.8 The Male Reproductive Tract

14.9 The Female Reproductive Tract

14.10 Being Presented with a Female of Unknown Sexual Status

14.11 Neonates

15 Examining the Musculoskeletal System of the Dog

15.1 Muscle Condition Score (MCS)

15.2 The Skeleton as a Whole

15.3 The Appendicular Skeleton: The Forelimb

15.4 The Appendicular Skeleton: The Hind Limb

16 Evaluating the Nervous System of the Dog

16.1 Assessing Behavior and Mental Status

16.2 Assessing Posture

16.3 Assessing Coordination and Gait

16.4 Assessing Postural Reactions

16.5 Assessing for Other Abnormal Movements

16.6 Evaluating the Spinal Reflexes

16.7 Assessing the Cranial Nerves

16.8 Assessing Nociception

Index

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