Transcript Meeting and Examining the Patient

Meeting and Examining the Patient
Submitted by Callie Parr and used in cooperation with the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign.
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MEETING AND EXAMINING THE PATIENT, by CALLIE PARR
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University of Illinois Agricultural Education Program.
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Meeting and Examining the
Patient
Meeting New Animals
• Look for signs of distress/agitation in the
animal
• Cats will lay their ears straight back, crouch down
or arch their backs
• Dogs will lay their ears straight back or perk them
straight forward, raise their flews (upper lip) to
expose teeth
• Horses will dart their eyes, lay their ears straight
back or straight forward darting them around,
swish their tail vigorously
Meeting New Animals
• Look for signs of distress/agitation in the
animal
• Cattle will get a “wild” look in their eye, cows are
very protective of calves, and bulls can be very
protective of herds
• Pigs will chomp their jaws and squall when
agitated, sows are extremely aggressive when
piglets are around
Meeting a New Animal
• Tips
• Move slowly and deliberately
• Stay within the animals range of vision
• Allow the animal to smell you
• Talk in even tones – no loud noises
Restraining Animals - Cats
• Cats can be very difficult to restrain do to
flexibility and shear stubbornness.
• Use the least restrictive method possible.
• Holding both front paws in one hand and
both back paws in the other is very effective.
• Many devices can be used or improvised.
• Wrapping the animal in a towel and
exposing only the necessary part is also
effective.
Restraining Animals - Dogs
• Dogs pose a different problem with size and
strength.
• Placing an arm around the neck/chest area
affords the best leverage.
• Muzzles can also be used to reduce risk of
bites.
Restraining Animals - Horses
• Horse are large and very strong, total restraint is
usually impossible without aids.
• Begin with least aggressive and work progressively
as needed.
• Halter and lead rope keeps the horse’s head in one
area.
• Pushing the animal against a solid wall can further
assist.
• Tying (hobbling) one leg will restrict dancing
around.
• Twitches are effective but should be used sparingly
and cautiously as they can cause more problems.
Restraining Animals – Cattle
and Pigs
• Cattle are almost always run into a head
chute or squeeze chute.
• This restricts the animal’s movement
completely.
• This does not mean the animal is not
dangerous.
• Pigs are notorious for managing to bite even
from a head chute.
Standard Vitals
Respiration
• When distressed, an animal will begin to pant or
breath very heavily.
• To calculate respiration, count number of times the
animals sides go in or out (not both)
Normal Respiration Rates (breaths per minute)
Cat
26
Dog
22
Horse
12
Cattle
30
Pig
13
Pulse/Heart rate
• This is also an indicator of distress
• Usually must use a stethoscope
• Place just posterior to the front limbs against
the rib cage.
Normal Heart Rate (beats per minute)
Cat
Dog
Horse
Cattle
Pig
110-140
100-130
23-70
60-80
58-86
Body Temperature
• Body temperature rises in response to infection
• Body’s natural way to kill pathogens
• Dangerous if it raises to high
• Fetus
• Brain
Normal Temperature (degrees Fahrenheit)
Cat
Dog
Horse
Cattle
Pig
101.5
102
100
101.5
102.5