Palpable rhythmic expansion of an artery due to contraction of the heart pumping blood.

Normal Rates: 

Adult Dogs: 60 - 160 BPM

Toy Breeds: Up to 180 BPM

Puppies: Up to 220 BPM

Cats: 110 - 220 BPM

Weak

Concerns: Shock, Cardiopulmonary Disease

Strong

Concerns: Stress, Pain, Cardiopulmonary Disease

Slower than normal heart rate.

Concerns: Decreased cardiac output, Hypoxia, Organ Failure, Death

Interventions: Immediate Attention, O2, ECG-Diagnostics, Thoracic Radiographs, Medications (Atropine)

Faster than normal heart rate.

Concerns: Pain, Shock, Excitement, Hyperthermia, Medications

Interventions: Determine Cause, Treat appropriately

Normal Rates:

Cats: 20 - 30 RPM

Dogs: 15 - 30 RPM

Shallow, rapid breathing.

Concerns: Pain, Stress, Hyperthermia, Shock, Upper airway disease or obstruction, Laryngeal Paralysis, Lower airway disease (Kennel Cough/Bronchitis), Restrictive airway disease

Interventions: O2, Alleviate pain, minimize stress, treat for shock, remove obstruction, sedation/anesthesia, bronchodilators, Steriods, Fluid Therapy, Remove air/fluid, Chest Tube, Diurectics, Weight Loss, Surgical repair of diaphragm, Supportive Care

Areas: Gingival/Conjunctiva

1. Pink is normal

2. Cyanotic

3. Icteric

4. Pale/White

5. Erythemic/Hyperemic (Red)

Normal: 1 - 2 seconds

Obtain: Apply pressure to MM and then release

Prolonged CRT record as > 2

Concerns: Dehydration, Cardiac Disease, Shock

If pale or cyanotic with prolonged CRT notify vet and administer O2.

Listening to sounds within the body.

Stethoscope: Bell-Used for GI sounds or neonates (smaller side). Diaphragm-Cardiovascular system (larger side)

Heart: Listen to left side of thorax below elbow.

Auscultation Abnormalities

Murmurs: Cardiac disease, Dehydration. Graded 1 - 6

Indications: Abnormal sound made by blood moving through heart, thickness of blood, vessel diameter.

Arrhythmias: 

Indications: Abnormal conduction of electricity.

Sinus Arrhythmia: Normal arrhythmia.

Indications: Inhales HR speeds up, slows during exhale.

Pulse Deficit: Pulse and HR don't match when taken together.

Indications: Arrhythmia

Normal lung sounds, nothing or slight air movement, includes both sides of the chest cavity and trachea.

Abnormalities: 

Stridor: Wheezing sound on inspiration due to obstruction in upper airway.

Crackles: Exudates  in alveoli, alveoli pops when open.

Rales: Increase in breath sounds due to decrease in airway size.

To examine or explore by touching and seeing.

Head: Lumps or bumps

Eyes: Redness, Occular discharge, Miosis, Mydriasis, Anisocoria, Scleritis

Ears: Check pinna for inflammation, trauma, Alopecia, Dirt, Discharge, Redness, Small Yeast, Signs of mites

Nose: Nasal discharge-bloody, purulent, clear, foamy.

Mouth: Tumors, Sores

Tongue: Hyperplasia, Lesions

Gingiva: CRT, Color, Lesions, Hyperplasia

Teeth: Calculus or Plaque

Neck: Lymph Nodes

Palpable-Mandibular, Prescapular, Popliteal

Non Palpable-Axillary, Inguinal

Lumps or Bumps-Alopecia, Cervical Pain

Extremities: All 4 limbs and tail, Look in between digits (Grass Awns/Foxtails), Nail length and quality

Chest/Thorax: Palpate spine-check for pain, Hair coat, Alopecia, Parasites

Abdomen: Bloating, Thunk verses Hollow? Tenderness? GDV

Reproductive Areas: Cryptorchid-Testis should decend at 1 - 1 1/2 months. Extrude penis-Exudate? Color?

Pyometra-Vulva-Redness? Discharge?