Veterinary Physical Exam

---
name: veterinary-physical-exam
description: Structured species-specific physical examination workflows and normal vital parameter reference ranges. Use when documenting or interpreting physical exam findings in animals.
---

# Veterinary Physical Exam

## Overview

Structured physical examination workflows with species-specific normal parameters. Human reference ranges do not apply to animals. A heart rate of 180 bpm is tachycardic in a dog but normal in a stressed cat. Body condition scoring uses a 1-9 scale (dogs/cats) or Henneke 1-9 scale (horses). This skill provides species-appropriate vital parameter ranges and systematic exam frameworks.

## When to Use

- User asks about normal vital parameters for a species
- User asks about the significance of a specific physical finding in an animal
- User documents exam findings and wants interpretation
- User asks about body condition scoring
- User asks about species-specific examination techniques
- Keywords: physical exam, PE, vitals, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, mucous membranes, CRT, BCS, body condition

## Vital Parameter Reference Ranges

| Parameter | Canine | Feline | Equine | Bovine | Avian (small) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Heart rate (bpm) | 60-160 | 140-220 | 28-44 | 40-80 | 200-600+ |
| Respiratory rate | 10-30 | 20-40 | 8-16 | 10-30 | 15-60 |
| Temperature (F) | 100-102.5 | 100-102.5 | 99-101.5 | 100.4-103.1 | 104-112 |
| CRT (seconds) | <2 | <2 | <2 | <2 | <2 |
| SBP (mmHg) | 110-160 | 120-170 | 80-120 | -- | -- |

**Important breed/size modifiers:**
- Giant breed dogs: lower normal HR (60-100 bpm)
- Toy breed dogs: higher normal HR (up to 180 bpm)
- Brachycephalic breeds: upper airway noise is common but not normal
- Sighthounds: lower normal body temperature, higher PCV
- Neonates: higher HR and RR, lower temperature tolerance
- Geriatric patients: may have lower baseline HR, reduced thermoregulation

## Body Condition Scoring

**Dogs/Cats (1-9 scale, WSAVA):**
- 1-3: Underweight (ribs, spine, pelvis prominent)
- 4-5: Ideal (ribs palpable with slight cover, waist visible from above)
- 6-7: Overweight (ribs palpable with difficulty, waist disappearing)
- 8-9: Obese (ribs not palpable, no waist, abdominal distension)

**Horses (Henneke 1-9):**
- Assessed at 6 body regions: neck, withers, behind shoulder, ribs, loin, tailhead

## Systematic Examination Approach

1. General appearance, mentation, ambulation, body condition
2. Integument (skin, coat, nails, pads)
3. Head: eyes, ears, oral cavity, nasal discharge, facial symmetry
4. Lymph nodes: submandibular, prescapular, popliteal (dogs/cats); submandibular, retropharyngeal, prefemoral (horses/cattle)
5. Cardiovascular: auscultation (both sides), pulse quality and synchrony, mucous membrane color, CRT
6. Respiratory: auscultation all fields, effort assessment, pattern
7. Abdominal palpation (small animals), abdominal auscultation (horses/ruminants for gut sounds)
8. Musculoskeletal: gait, joint palpation, muscle mass symmetry
9. Neurologic: mentation, cranial nerves, proprioception, reflexes
10. Urogenital: external exam, rectal exam if indicated (large animals)

## Workflow

1. Note signalment: species, breed, age, weight, sex, reproductive status.
2. Assess vital parameters against species-specific normal ranges.
3. Perform systematic examination following the species-appropriate approach.
4. Assign body condition score.
5. Document abnormal findings with clinical significance.
6. Generate a problem list from examination findings.

## Limitations

- Physical examination requires hands-on patient assessment. This skill provides reference frameworks.
- Normal ranges vary by breed, body size, stress level, and individual baseline.
- Environmental factors (temperature, altitude, time of day) affect parameters.
- Fractious or stressed patients may have artifactually elevated HR, RR, temperature, and glucose.