General Services at Santa Cruz Animal Clinic in Brandon, FL

Physical exam

A physical exam is very important to help diagnose issues and diseases. Every small clue collected during an exam can lead to one or many other issues. Here is what a physical exam consists of:

Heart & Lungs: These 2 areas are checked by feeling the pulse and listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope. Another area that is also checked, which can show signs of heart and lung problems, is the mouth. They look at the color of the gums and how moist or dry the gums are, and they observe the capillary refill time by pressing and releasing and watching how quickly they refill.

Abdomen: Palpating the abdomen checks a lot of the major organs and structures. This part of the exam will check the kidneys, liver, spleen, bladder, and intestinal tract. Characteristics they are feeling for are organ-size bladder stones, tumors, and intestinal abnormalities.

Skin: When the veterinarian is checking the skin, they are looking for a couple of things—parasites, abnormal growths, lesions, hair loss, and checking for fleas and ticks. Sometimes, the veterinarian will request further testing, such as cytology or biopsies, to get a definite answer.

Lymph Nodes: The veterinarian will palpate the lymph nodes to check their size, tenderness, and symmetry.

Nervous System: The veterinarian will test your pet’s reflexes and watch your pet’s behavior to check the Nervous System.

External Genitalia: The veterinarian is looking for certain things when checking the genitalia. Swelling, growths, color, and discharge are some symptoms they look for. The veterinarian will also check the prostate to make sure it does not feel abnormal.

Gait: The stance and manner of walking. The veterinarian will observe for lameness and inflexibility and palpate the joints. This is a good way to detect arthritis or other joint issues.

Feline

Rabies
Of all the animal diseases, Rabies seems to be feared the most. Unfortunately, Rabies is always fatal. The virus itself attacks the brain. Most pets get exposed to rabies by getting bit by wild animals, in particular raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats. To control this issue, the best way to prevent rabies is to have dogs, cats, and ferrets vaccinated every year or three years, depending on the vaccine.

Panleukopenia(Distemper)
Sometimes called ” Feline Distemper”, Feline Panleukopenia causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. This particular disease is the most widespread cat disease, and it causes high death loss, especially in kittens.

Rhinotracheitis
This is a widespread viral respiratory disease. This virus can cause profuse nasal and eye discharge and is usually most severe in small kittens.

Calicivirus
Calicivirus can cause various symptoms, including excess salivation, fever, and mouth and tongue ulcers. This virus is usually less fatal than panleukopenia and Rhinotracheitis.

Feline Leukemia
This is a form of cancer in cats which is usually fatal. Feline Leukemia is caused by a virus that can cause tumor growth nearly anywhere in the body, as well as a variety of other symptoms. This virus does not allow cats to fight off other diseases and can die from secondary infections. This virus should be tested before any vaccine programs are started.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis
This disease is caused by coronavirus. FIP is spread by direct cat to cat contact and contact with contaminated surfaces. FIP has 2 manifestations. These manifestations are wet and dry, and both have symptoms that are nonspecific, such as depression, rough hair coat, inappetence, fever, and weight loss. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease, and it is considered fatal.