A yearly physical exam
is extremely important for your pet. It is during these examinations that
diseases can be detected in early stages. This lets the veterinarian advise you
on diagnostic, treatment and preventative options. This can reduce your pet’s
discomfort and improve their overall health. Early disease recognition can also
save you money because there will be less need to stabilize an ill. Pet. Yearly
physical exams also provide an opportunity for the veterinarians to advise you
on new general health information that is applicable to your pet.
How You Can Help Your Pet Have A Better
Examination
Observe your pet and be
aware of changes in activity, attitude, appetite, thirst, and urinary and bowel
habits. This may mean following your pet outside routinely. Know what
foods your pet is eating. If there are multiple caregivers, be sure to
communicate with each other or consider keeping a diary.
Be familiar with your pet’s
medical history. If you do not understand the medical condition your pet
has or the medications it is taking, ask for clarification. You have a
right, and a responsibility, to know what is happening with your pet.
Train your pet to be
handled. Regularly touch and feel your pet over their entire bodies.
You should be able to approach their eyes, open their mouths, examine their
teeth and clean their ears. They should allow you to handle their feet.
If your pet is a guard dog, remember that a good guard dog is well trained.
An uncontrolled dog that does not permit handling is dangerous, not protective.
History
Though you may not realize
it, you start providing us with important information about you pet as soon as
you register with our front desk. Your pet’s breed, age, sex and weight
are valuable indicators of possible health problems. The veterinarians
will ask questions about your pet while observing his/her movements and
appearance. After the history and distant exam are completed then the more
detailed exam begins.
The Distant Exam
The distant exam begins as
soon as the veterinarian enters the room. They watch you pet as they speak
with you and gain important insights into areas of soreness and what diseases
are of higher risk. Is your pet alert or depressed, thin or obese?
How are they standing and holding their head? Are they coordinated and how
is their foot placement is their body symmetrical? This information along with
breed and age assists the vets in the next step, the general physical exam.
The General Physical Exam
A general physical exam
takes approximately 10 minutes and provides a quick look at all organ systems to
identify problem areas that may require more in depth examination or diagnostic
work-up. The exam may appear to pass quickly because several body systems can
be examined at one time. For example, while taking a rectal temperature, the
anus, anal sacs, perineal region, external genitalia and fecal consistency can
be evaluated.
The cardiovascular exam
includes assessment of the mucous membrane colour, capillary refill time, heart
sounds and rate and pulse character.
The respiratory system is
evaluated through examination of the nose, trachea (wind pipe) and lung sounds.
The gastrointestinal exam
starts with an evaluation of the teeth and continues with palpation of the lymph
nodes on the body and in the abdomen as well as observation of areas rich in
lymphoid follicles (inside the mouth and on the third eyelid).
The skin is checked for
lumps and bumps, scaling, obvious external parasites and general condition.
The eyes, general nervous
system, hydration and muscle condition are also reviewed.
Specific System Exam and Further
Diagnostics
After the general physical
exam is completed the veterinarian may continue with an in depth exam of a
specific body system. This happens if a problem is suspected from the
history or the general physical exam.
Once this is completed
the veterinarian will discuss with you what the possible problems may be and
will recommend any further diagnostic testing that will aid in more precisely
defining the problem and in providing a more accurate prognosis. That may
include blood tests, x-rays, fine needle aspirates, cytology, biopsies, ECT
(electrocardiogram), other sample collections or ultrasound.
Referral to a specialist may
also be recommended in certain cases.
