Equine clinical examination Flashcards
(19 cards)
a colloquial term for laminitis
founder
What does an open mare mean?
a mare that has had foals previously but is not pregnant now.
Under ideal conditions, mares should foal in what body condition?
a fleshy to fat condition (condition score 7 to 8).
Note: Under no circumstances should a mare be allowed to become obese (condition score 8.5 to 9).
Typically, a performance horse should maintain a body condition score of
5 to 6, depending on type of work performed.
At this level the horse has just slight fat covering over its entire body.
With excess weight, a body condition score of 6-7, during hard work the horse will have a more difficult time cooling off during and after a performance event.
What are the BCSs of these horses?
1, 5 and 8-8.5
Location of easily palpable external arteries include the following: (3)
a. Facial artery - most frequent – overlying the ventral border of the ramus of the mandible
b. Transverse facial artery - ventral to the facial crest.
c. Digital artery – over the palmar/plantar and lateral or medial aspects of the fetlock or pastern
hyperaesthesia
excessive physical sensitivity, especially of the skin.
Sounds over each valve can
be heard in the following approximate locations:
1. Pulmonary
(L - 3rd) space at costochondral junction
Sounds over each valve can
be heard in the following approximate locations:
2. Aortic
(L - 4th) space just below level of shoulder
Sounds over each valve can
be heard in the following approximate locations:
3. Left AV or mitral valve
(L - 4th) space at level of olecranon
Sounds over each valve can
be heard in the following approximate locations:
4. Right AV or tricuspid valve
(R - 3-4th) space between olecranon and costochondral junction
body condition scoring of horses
9-point scale:
1: poor
2: very thin
3: thin
4: moderately thin
5: moderate
6: moderately fleshy
7: fleshy
8: fat
9: very fat
Ideally, a horse should score a 5 on the 9-point Henneke body condition scoring scale. This means that their ribs may not be clearly seen, but are easily felt, with slight fat cover around withers, tailhead, neck and shoulder.
normal horse HR
(24) 28– 42 /min
normal horse RR
8 - 16 /min
normal horse temp.
37.0 – 38.2 (sometimes 38.5 in literature)
assessment of borborygmi in horses
A subjective assessment – usually over-interpreted.
How strong vs „present or not“.
Describe the sounds you hear.
What do you look at when assessing BCS?
Assessing nuchal crest in horses.
Cresty Neck Scoring (CNS)
Cresty neck scoring (0–5 scale) is another measure of adiposity (fat) but focuses on where fat is stored in the body. It is similar to the neck sub-score for BCS. Horses, and especially ponies, with cresty necks (scores of 3 or greater) are at risk for metabolic issues, including laminitis. A BCS of 5 is likely associated with a CNS of 2.
Other Factors Besides Diet Influencing CNS aree any factor that can affect BCS and genetics (Some breeds, such as Morgans or ponies, are predisposed to having cresty necks and associated metabolic issues.
The “SOAP” method in medicine.
stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan. This method provides a systematic way for healthcare professionals to organize and communicate patient information.
Subjective - information obtained directly from the patient or their caregiver.
Objective - objective, measurable data ie. vitals.
Assessment - assessment is the healthcare professional’s analysis and interpretation of the subjective and objective information. includes the diagnosis, differential diagnosis etc.
Plan - outlines the proposed course of action for the patient’s care.
