veterinary-physical-exam

# Veterinary Physical Exam ## Overview Structured physical examination workflows with species-specific normal parameters. Human reference ranges do not apply to animals. A heart rate of 180 bpm is tachycardic in a dog but normal in a stressed cat. Body condition scoring uses a 1-9 scale (dogs/cats) or Henneke 1-9 scale (horses). This skill provides species-appropriate vital parameter ranges and systematic exam frameworks. ## When to Use - User asks about normal vital parameters for a species - User asks about the significance of a specific physical finding in an animal - User documents exam findings and wants interpretation - User asks about body condition scoring - User asks about species-specific examination techniques - Keywords: physical exam, PE, vitals, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, mucous membranes, CRT, BCS, body condition ## Vital Parameter Reference Ranges | Parameter | Canine | Feline | Equine | Bovine | Avian (small) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Heart rate (bpm) | 60-160 | 140-220 | 28-44 | 40-80 | 200-600+ | | Respiratory rate | 10-30 | 20-40 | 8-16 | 10-30 | 15-60 | | Temperature (F) | 100-102.5 | 100-102.5 | 99-101.5 | 100.4-103.1 | 104-112 | | CRT (seconds) | <2 | <2 | <2 | <2 | <2 | | SBP (mmHg) | 110-160 | 120-170 | 80-120 | -- | -- | **Important breed/size modifiers:** - Giant breed dogs: lower normal HR (60-100 bpm) - Toy breed dogs: higher normal HR (up to 180 bpm) - Brachycephalic breeds: upper airway noise is common but not normal - Sighthounds: lower normal body temperature, higher PCV - Neonates: higher HR and RR, lower temperature tolerance - Geriatric patients: may have lower baseline HR, reduced thermoregulation ## Body Condition Scoring **Dogs/Cats (1-9 scale, WSAVA):** - 1-3: Underweight (ribs, spine, pelvis prominent) - 4-5: Ideal (ribs palpable with slight cover, waist visible from above) - 6-7: Overweight (ribs palpable with difficulty, waist disappearing) - 8-9: Obese (ribs not palpable, no waist, abdominal distension) **Horses (Henneke 1-9):** - Assessed at 6 body regions: neck, withers, behind shoulder, ribs, loin, tailhead ## Systematic Examination Approach 1. General appearance, mentation, ambulation, body condition 2. Integument (skin, coat, nails, pads) 3. Head: eyes, ears, oral cavity, nasal discharge, facial symmetry 4. Lymph nodes: submandibular, prescapular, popliteal (dogs/cats); submandibular, retropharyngeal, prefemoral (horses/cattle) 5. Cardiovascular: auscultation (both sides), pulse quality and synchrony, mucous membrane color, CRT 6. Respiratory: auscultation all fields, effort assessment, pattern 7. Abdominal palpation (small animals), abdominal auscultation (horses/ruminants for gut sounds) 8. Musculoskeletal: gait, joint palpation, muscle mass symmetry 9. Neurologic: mentation, cranial nerves, proprioception, reflexes 10. Urogenital: external exam, rectal exam if indicated (large animals) ## Workflow 1. Note signalment: species, breed, age, weight, sex, reproductive status. 2. Assess vital parameters against species-specific normal ranges. 3. Perform systematic examination following the species-appropriate approach. 4. Assign body condition score. 5. Document abnormal findings with clinical significance. 6. Generate a problem list from examination findings. ## Limitations - Physical examination requires hands-on patient assessment. This skill provides reference frameworks. - Normal ranges vary by breed, body size, stress level, and individual baseline. - Environmental factors (temperature, altitude, time of day) affect parameters. - Fractious or stressed patients may have artifactually elevated HR, RR, temperature, and glucose.