• The PEER Program at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

peer.tamu.edu

Family

We Want All Our Loved Ones To Be Healthy

Friends

Pets

Assesses overall health and condition Early detection of minor abnormalities Determine the extent of an injury or illness

During a Physical Exam During a Physical Exam he:he:Makes observationsMakes observationsTakes measurementsTakes measurementsCollects dataCollects dataAnalyzes dataAnalyzes data

Observations of a Healthy Observations of a Healthy AnimalAnimal

ContentContentClear bright eyes Clear bright eyes Alert and Alert and

interested interested Sleek, shiny coat Sleek, shiny coat Pink mucous Pink mucous

membranes membranes Good appetiteGood appetiteNormal feces & Normal feces &

urineurineNormal Normal

temperature, pulse, temperature, pulse, & respiration& respiration

TemperatureTemperatureHeart rateHeart rateRespiration rateRespiration rate

Base-line Base-line measurementsmeasurements indicate indicate animal’s current healthanimal’s current healthMay be first indication of abnormalityMay be first indication of abnormality

A measure of the body's ability to generate and get rid of heat Heat transfer

ThermometerVaries due to illness, physical

activity, stage of pregnancy, time of day, &/or environmental surroundings

Average Temperature of Different Species

Species Temperature (°F)

Horse99.5 – 101.3

Cattle100.4 – 103.1

Sheep & Goats

102.2 – 104.9

Swine100.4 – 104.0

Dog99.5 – 102.5

Cat100.5 – 102.5

Human 98.6

Body generates & retains heat

Immune response

Maintain homeostasis

Fever

Rhythmic throb in an artery as blood is pushed through it, heart rate

Palpate: lower jaw in livestock, femoral artery in dogs & cats, radial or carotid artery in humans

Varies due to illness, age, size, sex, breed, exercise, atmospheric conditions, time of day, eating, &/or excitement

Average Pulse of Different Species

Species Pulse (bpm)

Horse 28 - 40

Cattle 40 - 70

Sheep & Goats 60 - 90

Swine 60 - 100

Dog 60 - 100

Cat 150 - 200

Human 60-100

Taking in oxygen, utilizing in body tissues, and giving off carbon dioxide

Evaluate visually or with a stethoscopeVaries due to illness, body size, age, exercise,

excitement, environmental temperature, atmospheric conditions, pregnancy, & fullness of the digestive tract

Average Respiration Rates of Different Species

Species respiration (bpm)

Horse 8 - 16

Cattle 10 - 30

Sheep & Goats

12 - 20

Swine 8 - 18

Dog 10 - 30

Cat 20 - 30

Humans 15-20

A material which stimulates the immune system Contains antigens that resembles a disease-

causing agents Immune system recognizes the agent as

"foreign", destroys it, and then remembers it in the future.

Prevents or lessens the Prevents or lessens the severity of diseaseseverity of disease

Prevents spread of Prevents spread of disease between disease between animals and humans animals and humans (zoonotic diseases)(zoonotic diseases)

Core vaccinesCore vaccines

An organism that lives on or in a host and gets its food from or at the expense of its hostSymbiosis Symbiosis

External ParasitesInternal Parasites

Periodontal diseaseBrush 3-4 times a

week Provide chew toys Proper dietSchedule regular

cleanings

Reduce the homeless population 6 – 8 million pets in

shelters each yearImprove health and

behaviorReduce or eliminate:

some types of cancer, roaming, marking, & aggression

Feed according to age, size, activity level, and overall health

Pet food vs human foodPet Obesity

Pet’s physical state and needs Human-animal bondMaintains healthy heart, lungs, and musclesControls weight

Protect yourself!Call the emergency care

facilityBleeding: elevate &

apply pressure Choking: place fingers in

pet’s mouth and try to remove blockage

Modified Heimlich maneuver

CPR

Questions?