Lecture 4 - 8/29/23

Question 1

What constitutes “normal” for an animal’s abdomen?

Answer 1

-not distended
-soft
-nonpainful

Question 2

What organs/structures are in the cranial third of the abdomen?

Answer 2

-liver (cannot normally be palpated)
-stomach
-pancreas
-spleen
-kidney

Question 3

What organs/structures are in the middle third of the abdomen?

Answer 3

-spleen
-small intestines
-mesenteric lymph nodes (cannot normally be palpated)
-descending colon
-uterus/ovaries

Question 4

What organs/structures are in the caudal third of the abdomen?

Answer 4

-bladder
-colon

Question 5

What techniques are used to palpate the abdomen?

Answer 5

-two hands on larger animals in a “V” shape, want to touch fingers together through abdomen
-one hand on smaller animals in a “U” shape, want to touch fingers to thumb through abdomen

Question 6

What constitutes “normal” on a rectal exam?

Answer 6

-normal/no prostate
-smooth rectum
-no palpable lymph nodes
-normal anal glands, pelvis, and urethra
-normal stool

Question 7

How is a rectal exam conducted?

Answer 7

-start at furthest knuckle of index finger
-feel prostate and bladder ventrally
-feel aortic pulse, spine, and abnormal lymph nodes dorsally
-sweep finger while removing to palpate pelvis, urethra, and anal sacs

Question 8

What constitutes “normal” for a male animal’s urogenital system?

Answer 8

-normal/no prostate
-symmetrical testes
-clean prepuce
-no mammary masses
-able to extrude penis; no evidence of masses

Question 9

What constitutes “normal” for a female animal’s urogenital system?

Answer 9

-clean vulva
-symmetric mammary glands
-able to visualize vulva
-no mammary masses

Question 10

What constitutes “normal” for an animal’s musculoskeletal system?

Answer 10

-has all four limbs
-ambulatory on all four limbs
-no limping/favoring/noises

Question 11

What should be done during a physical exam to identify potential problems with the musculoskeletal system?

Answer 11

-flex and extend each joint
-palpate along each long bone

Question 12

What constitutes “normal” for an animal’s integument?

Answer 12

-normal consistency
-shiny
-normal fur
-smooth skin
-no parasites or masses
-normal nail length

Question 13

What areas of the skin are especially important to visualize?

Answer 13

-interdigital/foot pads
-mucocutaneous junction
-inguinal/axillary
-perineal

Question 14

Where are the common areas of hair loss on an animal?

Answer 14

-around eyes and mouth
-armpits
-abdomen
-around anus
-lower limb

Question 15

What questions should be asked during the history?

Answer 15

-goal for appointment
-indoor/outdoor
-activity level
-exposure to other animals
-travel
-diet type/quantity
-environmental changes
-behavior changes
-coughing/sneezing/vomiting/diarrhea
-bathroom habits
-current meds w/ dose, frequency, last given
-previous diagnoses
-known allergies
-most recent diagnostics

Question 16

What questions should be asked about the chief complaint?

Answer 16

-frequency
-duration
-severity/consistency
-triggers