General methods of examination
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GENERAL METHODS OF EXAMINATION
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- These include inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation.
Inspection
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Means observing the animal from a distance, simple and widely used in veterinary medicine it helps obtaining an idea about the general characters of diseased animal.
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The following information can be obtained by inspecting the animal:
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General demeanor, posture and gait.
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Body score of the animal (thin, emaciated, obese).
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Depression, anxiety or frenzy.
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Skin diseases and lesions.
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Lameness.
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Abnormal odour.
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Type of respiration, rate and rhythm.
- Inspection should always be performed in daylight except in emergency where artificial light may be used.
Palpation
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Using the sense of touch to obtain information about the organs examined, this is called direct palpation. Indirect palpation can sometimes be used by means of a probe.
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When palpating an organ or a lesion, the following information can be obtained:
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Sensitivity (pain and tenderness)
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Temperature (hot, cold or normal)
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Consistency (resilient, doughy, firm, hard, fluctuating or emphysematous).
Percussion
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Obtaining information about internal organs using a plexor and pleximeter (indirect percussion) or using the fingers (direct percussion).
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Tapping on the area of examination and noting the sound is used to obtain information about the physical condition of certain organs.
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It also reveals the sensitivity of this organ.
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Percussive sounds
Auscultation
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Listening to sounds produced by the functional activity of an organ.
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Organs that can be auscultated are
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The heart.
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The lungs.
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The rumen.
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Direct auscultation is performed by using the ear, whereas indirect auscultation is performed by means of a stethoscope.
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Last modified: Wednesday, 22 February 2012, 4:47 AM