This document provides guidance on performing a physical examination of dogs and cats. It outlines an 8 step process for a thorough physical exam, beginning with signalment and history, then assessing general appearance, vital signs, and performing a systems-based exam from head to tail. The exam involves general observation, palpation, and specific tests of organs and body systems to evaluate for any abnormalities, injuries, or illnesses. Thorough physical exams are important for detecting minor health issues before they become major problems.

1. Physical Examination of Dogs
& Cats
Dr.M.Bharathidasan

2. • PE =general observation and hands-on
examination.
-senses of sight,
-hearing
-smell
-touch
• General observation includes assessment of
body condition, posture, gait and behavior.

3. • PE most challenging & important skill
• Inexpensive tool
• Good PE detects minor problems before major
issues
• Alter surgical / anaesthetic techniques
• PE along with surgical/anaesthetic risk

4. • Be consistent and through
-Head to tail/toe
-Avoid any steps
- Don’t focus on primary compliant
• Write it down
- follow-up
- positive/ negative
- signature & ID no

5. • Back off – examine from distance
• Use restraint – mild/moderate
• Say hello
• Learn from your experience

6. PHYSICAL EXAM PROCESS
1. Signalment / History
2. General Appearance / Initial
Observations
3. Vital Signs
4. Physical Exam (Systems Approach or
Head to Toe)
5. Surgical / Anesthetic Risk Assessment

7. Signalment
• Complete description
• Species, Breed, Age, Sex, Reproductive
status, other distinguishing characteristics
• Always double-check client reported
information (sex, age, etc)
• Keep this information in mind as you
examine the animal and make clinical
judgments

8. History (Hx)
• Includes environment, diet, medical history, current
medications,reproductive history, vaccination
status, previous surgery & allergy to drugs
• Description and history of chief/presenting
complaint
• Follow up questions????
How/ When/ Where / whether you noticed.
• “Has the animal had diarrhea?”- NO
• “Have you seen the animal’s stool recently?”

9. GENERAL APPEARANCE /
INITIAL OBSERVATIONS (GA)
• General appearance- distance / close
• Body condition – BCS 1-9
• Mentation / Level of consciousness – attentiveness
/ reaction to environment
-Alert and responsive – Depressed – Uncontrolled
hyper-excitability – Stupor – Coma
• Posture and gait
• Hydration status

10. VITAL SIGNS
• Body Weight
• Temperature
• Heart/Pulse rate
• Respiratory rate and character
• Mucous membrane color (MM)
• Capillary refill time (CRT)

14. Thyroid Enlargement

15. STEP 2 INTEGUMENT
• Check for cutaneous and subcutaneous
masses, alopecia, ectoparasites, pustules
and papules, scale, erythema, dermatitis,
petechiae(2A) and ecchymoses(2B)

16. Hydration Status

17. STEP 3 THORACIC LIMBS
• Each- digits to the scapula.
• Palpate the muscles, joints, and long bones to evaluate
for joint effusion, swelling, pain, or heat.
• Examine the nails, nail beds, and footpads on each foot
for color, symmetry, erosions, masses, foreign bodies,
interdigital dermatitis, cysts, and masses.
• Place each foot in a knuckling position to assess CP.
• Palpate the prescapular (also known as the superficial
cervical) lymph nodes to evaluate size and shape

18. STEP 4 THORAX
• evaluate the integrity of the ribs
• Cardiac auscultation

19. STEP 5 ABDOMEN

21. STEP 6 PELVIC LIMBS AND
TAIL
• Examine the tail for movement, masses,
and hair loss.
• Apply gentle pressure to the base of the
tail by pulling in a craniodorsal direction to
detect any lumbosacral pain.
• Lymph node

22. STEP 7 EXTERNAL UROGENITAL
AND PERINEAL AREA
• External vulva, prepuce, and scrotum for
discharge, swelling, and redness.
• Exteriorize the penis to examine it
• Assess the anus and perineal skin for
swelling, masses, or fistulas

23. • Stimulate the perineum with a hemostat
using a gentle prod, which will result in
contraction of the anal sphincter and
flexion of the tail.
• This reflex tests the integrity of caudal
nerves of the tail, the pudendal nerve,
spinal cord segments 1-Cd5, and
associated nerve roots.

24. STEP 8 RECTUM
• Rectal temperature
• Evaluate rectal wall thickness, anal
glands, pelvic urethra, contours of the
pelvis and sacrum, prostate gland (males),
and vaginal tract (females).

28. • PE – Format
• 1
• 2