Topic 3051: Animal Health Evaluation

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Topic 3051 Animal Health Evaluation
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I. The Owner

• A. Is the most vital link to continued and
  progressive health of their animals and also can
  interpret symptoms of illness and convey those to
  a health professional.

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• B. In order to interpret irregular behavior as
  an illness or lack of health one must first
  understand normal behavior of that animal.
• 1. Normal behavior is determined by time spent
  observing habits of normal healthy animal.
• 2. Once normal behavior is determined, abnormal
  is easier to identify by contrast
• 3. It is important to note that what may be a
  normal habit for one animal or group may be
  abnormal for another.

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I. The Owner (cont..)

• C. A physical examination involves using all 5
  senses listening, touching, seeing, smelling and
  at times tasting.
• 1. Inspection at a distance should be done
  first, look at animals

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• a. Sleeping habits- time of day, standing or
  lying.
• b. Eating habits/nutritional state-time spent
  eating, time of day preferring to eat, meal
  eaten throughout day or all at once.
• c. Attitude-gregarious, pecking order,social
  behavior, and solitude.

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• d. Posture- weight shifting from one foot or
  side.
• e. Gait- is there indication of lameness
• f. Breathing- difficult, fast, or slow.
• g. Physical condition- weight loss, hair coat,
  skin and odor.

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• D. Next restrain the animal and note (see also
  Unit 363)
• 1. Temperature
• 2. Heart rate (pulse)
• 3. Respiratory rate

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• E. Then begin a systematic examination of all
  major areas of animal body, noting amount ,
  color, turbidity, odor, and consistency of
  discharges from any of following body openings
• 1. Nose
• 2. Mouth
• 3. Eyes

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• 4. Ears
• 5. Uro-genital (excretory, genital)
• 6. Anus- take samples of feces and urine if
  needed.
• 7. Any wounds, scratches or abrasions.

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• F. Continue to review external body surfaces
  look for changes in color, size, and shape
  indicating abnormalities. Evaluate the
  following
• 1. Status of hydration- does he look
  dehydrated use the skin pinch test.
• 2. Color of mucous membranes- which should be
  pink, not yellow or white.
• 3. Capillary refill time- should be quick
  (demonstrates this on your arm)

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• 4. Mouth/throat- too much saliva may indicate
  infection in mouth or inability to swallow. Lack
  of saliva may indicate fever or colic, check for
  choking, coughing drooling, gagging vomiting,
  foul odor, or difficulty swallowing.
• 5. Ears- no discharge, head should not be tilted
  (ask the students what does it hint ear
  infection mean if head is tilted?)
• 6. Ribs- bloat or labored breathing.
• 7. Legs/feet- lameness, stiffness, straining, or
  any leg favored.
• 8. Genitals- swelling or rash.

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• 9. Hair coat/skin- parasites or abnormal
  roughness.
• 10. Swelling/lumps/wounds- wound discharge or
  ulceration's.
• 11. Position of animal- is it down, unable to
  rise or uncoordinated.
• 12. Temperature- does it have a fever dry
  muzzle, loss of appetite, thirst, constipation,
  or indigestion.
• 13. Milk production- is it normal for animal.
• 14. Possibility of animal being in pain- are
  there tender spots, of things animal avoids doing
  that are abnormal?

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• G. After through review, symptoms and clinical
  signs will serve to narrow and determine source
  of problem. An important symptom of any animal
  is PAIN and it should always be a major concern
  when evaluating an animals overall health.
• 1. Pain can be indicated by an animal in many
  ways, including
• a. Irritability
• b. Avoidance of certain activities
• c. Atypical fear
• d. Demeanor- (not alert, hunched up, etc.)
• e. Loss of appetite