The document outlines the importance of respiratory and health assessments in animals, detailing processes such as gas exchange, respiratory types, and signs of respiratory distress. It further elaborates on mucous membrane examination, analyzing color changes and swelling as indicators of various health conditions. Finally, it discusses skin and musculoskeletal assessments, emphasizing significance in reflecting animal health and hydration levels.

1. 2nd , Mar , 2016
SHAFI’I. A. M. SHEIKH

2. It is important physical and chemical process
and gas exchange (inspiration and expiration).
It is voluntary and non-voluntary process,
based on movement of different reparatory
muscles(diaphragm, intercostal, sternal and
abdominal) and controlled by respiratory
center in medulla oblongata

3. Respiratory system consists of …. And lung
consists of bronchi, bronchioles and aceni (air
sacs)
The exchange of O2 and CO2 is done by simple
diffusion which depends on partial pressure of
membrane that separates aceni and blood

4. Respiratory rate, rhythm, type and quality
should always be noted when assessing the
animal’s health
In rest position we can observe respiration by
putting hands on flank region or accurately by
auscultation
Rate is the number of respiratory cycles
(Inspiration Expiration pause) in one minute. It
will increase (Polypnoea) or decrease
(Oligopnoea)

5. Polypnoea is due to physiological (fear,
excitation, irritation, effort, heat, humidity) or
pathological (fever, anaemia, res. Dis) causes
Oligopnea is due to lesions of CNS,
hydrocephalus, uremia and Res. Passages
stenos is
Hyperpnoea is the increased pulmonary
ventilation (increased respiratory rate with or
without increase in the amplitude or width of
the movement

6. Types of respiration:
1- costo-abdominal: this type of respiration is
seen in equines
2- abdominal respiration: this type of respiration
is evident in cattle and small ruminants
3-costal respirations This type of respiration is
evident in dogs and cats and birds
Changes in respiration:
Wholly costal is due to: diaphragmatic problems,
bloat and lung and pleurisy problems

7. Wholly abdominal is due to: Pleuritis
Double expiration is due to: Chronic alveolar
emphysema
Respiratory rhythm
It is regular or irregular res. Cycles
Expiration is long in pulmonary emphysema
Pause is canceled in sick animals and long in
toxaemia, and heart and kineys diseases

8. Examination of Mucous Membranes
Has great clinical importance as it reflects the
general condition of the animal as well as certain
disease conditions (e.g. jaundice in case of liver
diseases).
The visible mucous membranes are oral, nasal,
conjunctival and vaginal.
Changes in color may result from disturbance in
oxidation process of the blood, disturbances in
blood circulation or of certain other disease
conditions.

9.  Noticeable changes in mucous membranes
include changes in color, presence of exudates
and swelling.
1- Changes in color:
The normal color of the visible mucous
membranes varies between species. In
general, different shades of pink (light pink,
pink or rosy red) are considered normal. The
following changes occur in various diseases

10. 1. Pale mucous membranes
a. Moist pale :
due to anaemia
b- dry pale:
due to shock
2. Congested mucous membranes
Mucous membrane is redish in color due to fever
3. Yellowish or icteric mucous membranes
Icterus of jaundice occurs due to increase of
blood bilirubin concentration (blood parasites,
leptospirosis, hepatitis)

11. 4. Brick red mucous membranes
Due to heavy metals intoxication
5. Cyanosed mucous membranes
Bluish discoloration of visible mucous
membranes resulting from presence of
reduced haemoglobin in blood capillaries.

12. 2- Swelling of mucous membranes
Inflammation of mucous membranes results in its
swelling; in which case the mucous membranes
may also be hot and tender (i.e. showing cardinal
signs of inflammation).
Marked swelling of conjunctival mucous
membranes is characteristic of equine
influenza. A slight degree of swelling is noticed in
contagious pleuropneumonia of horse and cattle
plague, anthrax and fowl diphtheria

13. 3- Presence of exudate
Escape of serous fluid and fibrinogen from
blood vessels, which also contains
desquamated epithelial cells, leukocytes and
erythrocytes

27. Examination of Superficial Lymph
Nodes
 Lymph Nodes to be examined:
1- Sub-maxillary LN
2- Pharyngearl LN: a- para-phayngeal (Sub-
parotid) b- Retropharyngeal (Supra-pharyngal)
3- Cervical LN (Anterior, Meddile, Posterior)
4- Pre-scapular LN 5- Popliteal LN 6- Supra-
mammary

31. The examination includes:
Size, tenderness, consistency, lobulation,
temperature of overlying skin, discharge if
present and adhesions.
A normal lymph node varies in size depending on
animal species and age. It is commonly larger in
younger animals; of firm consistency. Small
lymph nodes may appear to be smooth;
lobulation can be palpated in large lymph
nodes. Normally, lymph nodes should be freely
movable under the skin or surrounding tissues

32. Abnormalities:
1. Swelling is caused by:
a- Acute local inflammation b- Systemic infectious
diseases c- Chronic inflammation d- Infection of
the lymph node itself e- Lymphomas.
2. Tenderness: Acute infection and inflammation
causes pain on palpation.
3. Loss of lobulation in cases of acute infection.
4. Hotness due to acute inflammation.
5. Abnormal consistency, fluctuation in cases of
suppuration

35. 6. harder consistency in cases of chronic inflammation.
7. Discharge of exudates or pus in cases of abscess
formation.
8. Adhesions to underlying tissues or overlying skin
resulting from chronic inflammation.
9. Increase in size of certain lymph nodes is of
particular clinical importance, for example:
a. Mediastinal lymph nodes resulting in dyspnoea,
b. Posterior cervical lymph nodes causes obstructive
oedema of the head.
c. Superficial inguinal lymph nodes when enlarged may
result in urine retention through pressure on the
urethra.

37. Examination of Skin and Associated
Structures
it is considered the mirror of health
Bad management and inappropriate diet are
quickly reflected on the skin condition
Aspects of examination of skin include: condition
of hair, surface of skin, subcutaneous tissue
elasticity and examination of horny structures
A shiny coat and well-pigmented hide is an
indicator of optimum conditions of management,
feeding and productivity

38. Hair
We examine consistency, hair color and detachment
some animal breeds have naturally smooth or naturally
curly hair. Loss of luster and dryness reflects bad
management and/or nutritional deficiency
Hair color is also breed-specific; in an animal with a
natural dark hair color, deficient diet (qualitative or
quantitative) may result in paleness of hair; this is
termed ?hunger hair?. Easily detached hair is also a
sign of nutritional or trace element deficiency
Presence of parasites such as lice, fleas, mites or ticks
result in Alopecia (areas of hair loss) and itching

45.  Abnormalities
I- Alopecia
due to (Senility:, Hereditary, Hormonal, Parasitic,
Follicular dysfunction and Poisoning (mercury,
selenium and thallium)
II- Hypertrichosis
Excessive development of hair or wool which may
be inherited or due to hormonal
imbalance. Inflammation or pressure may also
result in hypertrichosis.
III- Changes in pigmentation
White or dark due to irritation

46. Skin surface
Should be smooth and possesses a surface fat film
which is produced by sebaceous glands
Increased production of fat results in dandruff
skin feels rough which occurs in the following
conditions (Endoparasitism, Tuberculosis, Mange and
Hyperkeratosis)
Seborrhea is the increased fat secretion by sebaceous
glands. This results from certain metabolic disorders
(Vit A deficiency) and dermatitis. It is manifested by
greasy or scaly deposits of fat

47. Subcutaneous tissues:
Loss of elasticity occurs in dehydration due to
any cause; e.g. vomiting, diarrhoea or water
deprivation. Examination of elasticity of skin is
done by holding a fold of skin in the neck region,
back or ribs and then letting it go
In healthy animals, the skin regains its normal
shape easily and quickly whereas in dehydrated
animals the fold of skin does not regain its
normal appearance.

48. An increase in size of subcutaneous tissue occurs in cases of
oedema (anasarca); this could be inflammatory or non-
inflammatory.
Subcutaneous Emphysema
Presence of soft yielding swelling that crepitates on
palpation and sometimes
Cutaneous Appendages
Where horns are examined, counting of horn rings is useful
to estimate age or the animal as the first ring appears at 2.5
to 3 years and a new one is formed after each calving
Secondary skin lesions (Erosion, Ulcer, Crust, Dandruff)
Primary skin lesions (Spot, Papule, Vesicle, Blister, Pustule,
Wheal)

49. Examination of Musculo-Skeletal
System
The primary function of the musculskeletal
system is to support the body in various ways
to insure normal location and posture
The components of the musculoskeletal
system are muscles, tendons, bones and joints

50. Muscles
Superficial muscles are examined by inspection
and palpation. The main clinical affections of
muscles are:
1- Atrophy 2- hypertrophy 3- Increased tone of
musculature a. Continuous (tonic) as in
tetanus b. Tremors