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EXAINATION OF A SMALL ANIMAL PATIENT FOR RESPIRATORY DISEASES
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Complete physical exam indicated
- Observe posture
- Note elbows abduction, if any, as an attempt to maximize intrathoracic space
- External nares discharge; Mucosa – colour
- Soft palate - length, turgidity
- Chest contour, breath for ketone
PALPATE for abnornalilties in Larynx, Trachea
- Elicit cough
- Subcutaneous emphysema
- Congenital defects of thorax
- Cardiac thrill - heart disease
AUSCULTATION
- Perform systematically
- Classify sounds from heart, trachea, Bronchi, lungs, chest cavity
- Moist, dry, insp./expiatory
PERCUSSION - Finger or Instrument based
- Can detect change in density or location
- Fluid line, consolidation of lungs, etc.
- Must know:
- Normal density
- Normal location
- Applied Anatomy
HISTORY/AMAMNESIS
- Age - Viral disease in young
- Neoplasia in middle and old
- Breed - Brachycephalic -- Upper Respiraory tract problems
- Toy - high incidence of collapse trachea
- Dolichocephalic and mesocephalic -nasal tumors
- Sex – Females: Mammary Tumors – Metastasis
- Geographic Origin
- Present Environment - Trauma - More in unconfined
- Infectious tracheobronchitis in kennel boarders
- Vaccination and heart worm status
- Gets worse inside than outside or vise versa - allergy
Prior Medical Problems - Relationships
- Neoplasia -metastasis, e.g. osteosarcoma, etc.
- Previous viral disease and present bact. pneumonia
- Previous smoke inhalation, Bact. pneumonia may have lead to present bronchiectasis / Pulmonary fibrosis
Current Complaint & Last known period of normalcy
- Onset, acute dyspnea, rales, pulmonary edema in a young indoor dog - Electrocution?
- Progression - slow progressive cough in old dog; Cardiogenic Intermittent signs - vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss - Canine Distemper ?
- Previous treatment – Antibiotics for chronic bronchitis?
- Present Status - weight loss, attitude, exercise tolerance.
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Participants