Physical Examination of Cattle Douglas E. Hostetler DVM, MS

Physical Examination Physical Examination of Cattleof Cattle

Douglas E. Hostetler DVM, MSDouglas E. Hostetler DVM, MS

Indications:Indications:

When an individual animal requires When an individual animal requires examination to allow diagnosis and examination to allow diagnosis and treatment for an illnesstreatment for an illness

Examination of a representative Examination of a representative sample of animals to investigate a sample of animals to investigate a herd outbreak of diseaseherd outbreak of disease

Evaluation prior to completing health Evaluation prior to completing health certificates for intrastate or certificates for intrastate or interstate transportinterstate transport

Procedure:Procedure:

Develop a systematic procedure for Develop a systematic procedure for performing a complete physical performing a complete physical examinationexamination– PersonalizedPersonalized– Prevents omission of important Prevents omission of important

informationinformation– Enables easier recall of abnormal Enables easier recall of abnormal

findingsfindings

Dr. Hostetler’s Physical Dr. Hostetler’s Physical ExaminationExamination

Observe 1Observe 1stst from from a distancea distance– DemeanorDemeanor– Level of Level of

alertnessalertness– ResponsivenessResponsiveness– Segregation Segregation

from herdmatesfrom herdmates Not possible in a Not possible in a

referral situationreferral situation

Visual Observation:Visual Observation:

ProprioceptionProprioception StrengthStrength LamenessLameness Head and neck Head and neck

positionposition Udder symmetryUdder symmetry BCSBCS

Examination:Examination:

RestraintRestraint– ChuteChute– HalterHalter– HeadgatHeadgat

ee– GanglockGanglock

Examination:Examination:

Collect data most affected by Collect data most affected by sympathetic tone firstsympathetic tone first– Urine Sample for Multistick analysisUrine Sample for Multistick analysis– Rumination RateRumination Rate– Heart RateHeart Rate– Respiratory RateRespiratory Rate

Urine Collection:Urine Collection: Gently rub the escutcheon in an upward Gently rub the escutcheon in an upward

motionmotion– Perineal region from udder to Ventral Perineal region from udder to Ventral

commissure of the vulva commissure of the vulva – Do not hold the tail!Do not hold the tail!– Collect sample in a clean containerCollect sample in a clean container

Insert thermometer following urine Insert thermometer following urine collectioncollection

Some Normal ValuesSome Normal Values– pH 8pH 8– Glucose NegGlucose Neg– Ketone NegKetone Neg– Protein Neg-traceProtein Neg-trace

Start on the Left Start on the Left

From the rear forwardFrom the rear forward

Rumination RateRumination Rate Listen, count Listen, count

and record the and record the primary and primary and secondary secondary rumen rumen contractions contractions over two full over two full minutesminutes– Mid Left Mid Left

Paralumbar Paralumbar FossaFossa

Normal 1-2 per Normal 1-2 per MinuteMinute

Direct Heart Rate, Rhythm and Direct Heart Rate, Rhythm and Sounds Sounds

Left sideLeft side– IntercostIntercost

al Spaces al Spaces 3-53-5

– Behind Behind the elbowthe elbow

– Normal Normal Rate?Rate? 48-84 48-84

AdultsAdults 70-100 70-100

Calves Calves

Respiratory Rate and Lung Respiratory Rate and Lung SoundsSounds

Rate can be Rate can be evaluated by evaluated by observation of chest observation of chest excursionsexcursions– Normal 26-50Normal 26-50

Sounds (triangle)Sounds (triangle)– Point of elbowPoint of elbow– T13 at Transverse T13 at Transverse

ProcessesProcesses– Caudal to tricepsCaudal to triceps

Acoustic PercussionAcoustic Percussion– Dullness Dorsal to Dullness Dorsal to

the Heart Shadow?the Heart Shadow? SQ Emphysema SQ Emphysema

Dorsally?Dorsally?– Reach up and feel Reach up and feel

for itfor it

Peripheral Lymph NodesPeripheral Lymph Nodes

PrescapularPrescapular PrefemoralPrefemoral SupramammaSupramamma

ryry ParotidParotid SubmandibulSubmandibul

arar

Superficial VeinsSuperficial Veins

JugularJugular– Pulses?Pulses?– DistensionDistension

Caudal Caudal Superficial Superficial EpigastricEpigastric– DistensionDistension

??– Swelling?Swelling?

Abdominal Auscultation and Abdominal Auscultation and PercussionPercussion

SimultaneouSimultaneous s Auscultation Auscultation and and PercussionPercussion– ““Pinging”Pinging”

Entire Entire AbdomenAbdomen

Abdominal Auscultation and Abdominal Auscultation and PercussionPercussion

SimultaneouSimultaneous s Auscultation Auscultation and and PercussionPercussion– ““Pinging”Pinging”

Entire Entire AbdomenAbdomen

Left limbs and UdderLeft limbs and Udder

Swelling of the limbs? Swelling of the limbs? – Fore and RearFore and Rear

Palpate left quarters of the Palpate left quarters of the mammary glandmammary gland– HeatHeat– Hardness (swelling)Hardness (swelling)– EdemaEdema– Teat lesionsTeat lesions

Proceed to Right Proceed to Right SideSide

Heart SoundsHeart Sounds

Right AV Right AV Valve AreaValve Area– 33rdrd to 5 to 5thth

Intercostal Intercostal SpaceSpace

Murmurs?Murmurs?

Respiratory SystemRespiratory System Mirror Mirror

Image of Image of Left ThoraxLeft Thorax– CracklesCrackles– WheezesWheezes– No soundsNo sounds– EmphysemEmphysem

aa

Peripheral Lymph NodesPeripheral Lymph Nodes

PrescapularPrescapular PrefemoralPrefemoral SupramammaSupramamma

ryry ParotidParotid SubmandibulSubmandibul

arar

Superficial VeinsSuperficial Veins

JugularJugular– Pulses?Pulses?– DistensionDistension

Caudal Caudal Superficial Superficial EpigastricEpigastric– DistensionDistension

??– Swelling?Swelling?

Abdominal Auscultation and Abdominal Auscultation and PercussionPercussion

SimultaneouSimultaneous s Auscultation Auscultation and and PercussionPercussion– ““Pinging”Pinging”

Entire Entire AbdomenAbdomen

Abdominal Auscultation and Abdominal Auscultation and PercussionPercussion

SimultaneouSimultaneous s Auscultation Auscultation and and PercussionPercussion– ““Pinging”Pinging”

Entire Entire AbdomenAbdomen

Right Limbs and UdderRight Limbs and Udder

Swelling of the limbs? Swelling of the limbs? – Fore and RearFore and Rear

Palpate left quarters of the Palpate left quarters of the mammary glandmammary gland– HeatHeat– Hardness (swelling)Hardness (swelling)– EdemaEdema– Teat lesionsTeat lesions

Collection of MilkCollection of Milk

California Mastitis TestCalifornia Mastitis Test– Relative concentration of somatic sells in Relative concentration of somatic sells in

the milkthe milk– 2 ml Milk from each quarter2 ml Milk from each quarter– Add ReagentAdd Reagent– Look for coagulationLook for coagulation

NegativeNegative TraceTrace 11 22 33

http://www.infovets.com/demo/demo/dairy/D100.HTM

Rectal ExaminationRectal Examination

Reproductive TractReproductive Tract FemaleFemale

– Vaginal wallVaginal wall– CervixCervix– Uterine BodyUterine Body– Uterine HornsUterine Horns

OviductsOviducts

– OvariesOvaries BursaeBursae

– Internal iliac lymph Internal iliac lymph nodesnodes

– Sublumbar lymph nodesSublumbar lymph nodes

MaleMale– Intrapelvic penisIntrapelvic penis– ProstateProstate– Seminal vessiclesSeminal vessicles– AmpullaeAmpullae– Internal inguinal ringsInternal inguinal rings– Internal iliac lymph Internal iliac lymph

nodesnodes– Sublumbar lymph nodesSublumbar lymph nodes

Rectal ExaminationRectal Examination

Intra-abdominal Intra-abdominal Urinary SystemUrinary System– Left kidneyLeft kidney– UretersUreters– BladderBladder

Rectal ExaminationRectal Examination

Digestive SystemDigestive System– Right CranialRight Cranial

AbomasumAbomasum

– CentralCentral Small intestinesSmall intestines

– LeftLeft RumenRumen

– Dorsal sacDorsal sac

Vaginal ExaminationVaginal Examination

If indicated by the rectal examination If indicated by the rectal examination or historyor history

Examination of the HeadExamination of the Head

EyesEyes– EnophthalmusEnophthalmus– ExophthalmusExophthalmus– DischargeDischarge– Corneal OpacityCorneal Opacity– Lenticular OpacityLenticular Opacity– Scleral InjectionScleral Injection– Pupillary Light Pupillary Light

ResponseResponse– MassesMasses

Examination of the HeadExamination of the Head

NaresNares– DischargeDischarge

Unilateral/Unilateral/BilateralBilateral

– PlaquesPlaques– ErosionsErosions– Hemorrhage/ Hemorrhage/

EpistaxisEpistaxis– FlaringFlaring

Examination of the HeadExamination of the Head

Oral CavityOral Cavity– DentitionDentition– ErosionsErosions– VesiclesVesicles– MassesMasses– Blunted Oral Blunted Oral

PapillaePapillae

Examination of the HeadExamination of the Head

Cursory Cranial Cursory Cranial Nerve ExaminationNerve Examination– 1-81-8

Submandibular Submandibular RegionRegion– Lymph NodesLymph Nodes– EdemaEdema

BrisketBrisket– SwellingSwelling– EdemaEdema

Questions?Questions?