Physical Exam Findings
A dog’s skin stays “tented” after you pinch it. What does that mean?
Dehydration (poor skin turgor).
What is the largest organ in an animal's body?
The largest organ in an animal's body is the skin, which serves as a protective outer barrier.
Skin plays a vital role in regulating body temperature and providing sensory information, like touch. Depending on the animal, skin can make up a significant percentage of its total body weight, from 12–24%
What is the term for the surgical removal of a limb?
Amputation.
A dog is constantly licking between its paws, has red skin, and a yeasty smell.
Allergies: allergic skin dermatitis or yeast infection.
Your dog has been messing around with laundry, and you suspect he ate a sock. He is now vomiting and not eating.
Take abdominal X-rays or an ultrasound to check for an intestinal blockage.
A puppy comes in with a round, bloated belly but is otherwise active and playful.
Possible intestinal parasites (worms); common in young puppies.
What is the normal body temperature range for a healthy dog or cat?
Cats: 100.5°F to 102.5°F
Dogs: 99.5°F to 102.5°F
So overall, 100°F to 102.5°F is the normal body temperature for a healthy dog or cat.
What is the difference between a "spay" procedure and a "neuter/castration" procedure in veterinary medicine?
Spay: Surgical removal of a female animal’s ovaries and uterus (ovariohysterectomy).
Neuter/castration: Surgical removal of the testes (testicles) in a male animal.
You notice yellowing of the gums, eyes, and skin in a cat.
Jaundice; liver disease or bile duct obstruction.
Jaundice in cats is caused by an accumulation of bilirubin, a yellow pigment, in the blood and tissues.
Your dog has a cut paw pad that’s bleeding after having fun at a dog park.
Clean and disinfect the wound, check for debris, and bandage it (stitches if deep).
A senior male dog comes in, and his eye appears cloudy and blue-tinted.
Cataract or corneal disease.
What organ produces insulin to regulate blood sugar levels?
The pancreas is the organ in animals that produces insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.
In this way, the pancreas helps maintain the body's blood sugar balance by both releasing insulin (to lower blood sugar) and other hormones like glucagon (to raise blood sugar when it's too low).
What is the act of closing a surgical incision called?
Suturing.
A dog’s gums are pale instead of pink.
Anemia or poor circulation.
Anemia is a condition in dogs where there is a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells or hemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen).
A male cat is straining in the litter box and crying, but not urinating.
EMERGENCY URINARY BLOCKAGE: Palpate the bladder, relieve the blockage, and start fluids.
A kitten has been found in a dumpster. Her ears have dark brown debris and smell foul; she keeps shaking and itching her head. What are the causes of these traits?
Ear infection: (otitis externa)
Due to debris, yeast, bacteria, or ear mites.
What is the name of the flap that prevents food from entering the trachea when swallowing?
The flap that prevents food from entering the trachea when swallowing is called the epiglottis.
It is a flap of cartilage at the base of the tongue that folds down to cover the entrance of the windpipe during swallowing, directing food toward the esophagus.
What does the suffix “-ectomy” mean? GIVE AN EXAMPLE FOR BONUS POINTS! (+100)
Surgical removal of something.
(e.g., Mastectomy = removal of mammary glands (medical term for breasts) to treat mammary tumors in dogs and cats.)
A mammary tumor is not always cancer, as it can be either benign or malignant.
A cat has a strong, foul odor coming from its mouth and tartar accumulation on the teeth.
Dental disease (gingivitis or periodontal disease).
A senior dog has a fast-growing lump on its leg.
Perform a fine-needle aspirate or biopsy to check for cancer.
When auscultating (listening to) a dog’s heart, you hear an irregular rhythm and a "whooshing" heartbeat. What might this indicate?
An irregular rhythm indicates arrhythmia or heart disease.
A "whoosh" sound indicates a heart murmur where there is abnormal blood flow to the heart (possibly due to valve disease).
What is the term for the back part (upper side) and the underside (toward the belly) of an animal’s body?
Dorsal and ventral.
The term for the back part of an animal's body is dorsal. It refers to the back or upper side of an organism and is used in contrast to the term ventral, which means toward the belly or front.
What is used to stop bleeding during surgery by sealing small vessels?
Cautery (or electrocautery).
A cat has a lump on its shoulder where vaccines were given months ago.
Injection-site sarcoma (tumor).
A dog comes in with a concern of an upset gastrointestinal system and frequent vomiting. You do a CBC (bloodwork) and find out their dog’s amylase and lipase (enzymes) are elevated.
Pancreatitis.