Easy-to-follow guide to performing physical examinations on horses and ruminants, with a comprehensive collection of color photographs demonstrating important concepts and procedural techniques.
Featuring hundreds of full-color images demonstrating the observation and hands-on clinical skills described, Performing the Large Animal Physical Examination offers a step-by-step guide to all aspects of assessing the health and wellbeing of equine patients and ruminants. Cattle, sheep, and goats are emphasized, with vital commentary about camelids included when applicable.
Each section begins with information on observing, approaching, and safely handling patients, then discusses how to systematically evaluate each body system. A companion website features video clips demonstrating key concepts.
Performing the Large Animal Physical Examination includes information on:
- Equine and ruminant behavior, including feeding, social, herd, and separation behaviors, sleep and rest disturbances, other stereotypies
- The distance examination, observation, and efficient methods to approach and restrain patients, with emphasis on flight zones and point of balance, safety of personnel, and animal welfare
- Big picture considerations with respect to the patient’s body, coat, and skin, including coat color and markings, weight and height estimations, and forms of patient identification
- Evaluation of the head (eyes, ears, nose, and throat) as well as the cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic, gastrointestinal, reproductive, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems, plus considerations specific to the lameness exam
- Basic clinical procedures and common clinical conditions specific to each body system in horses, small and large ruminants
Performing the Large Animal Physical Examination is an essential resource for students and other veterinary team members to develop comfort and confidence observing, approaching, handling, and examining equine and ruminant patients, as well as for experienced practitioners who may wish to refine their skills and clinical acumen.
Contributor Names and Affiliations xx
About the Editors xxiii
Preface xxvii
Acknowledgments xxviii
About the Companion Website xxix
Part I Performing the Physical Examination of Horses 1
1 Setting the Stage: Observing and Understanding Equine Behavior 3
Gayle Leith and Ryane E. Englar
2 Safe Methods by Which to Approach and Restrain the Equine Patient 17
Gayle Leith and Ryane E. Englar
3 Assessing the Big Picture: The Equine Body, Skin, Coat, Coat Colors, and
Markings 42
Gayle Leith and Ryane E. Englar
4 Examining the Head, with Emphasis on the Eyes and Ears 99
Gayle Leith and Ryane E. Englar
5 Examining the Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Lymphatic Systems of the
Equine Patient 138
Gayle Leith and Ryane E. Englar
6 Examining the Alimentary Tract of the Equine Patient 173
Gayle Leith and Ryane E. Englar
7 Equine Musculoskeletal and Lameness Exams 203
Lara Shreve
8 Examining the Nervous System of the Horse 226
Gayle Leith and Ryane E. Englar
9 The Reproductive Exam in the Mare 252
Sarah Eaton
10 The Reproductive Exam in the Gelding and Stallion 272
Sarah Eaton
11 Examination of the Neonate 284
Sarah Eaton
12 Basic Clinical Procedures in Equine Practice 301
Gayle Leith, Sarah Eaton, and Ryane E. Englar
13 Indications for Referral in Equine Practice 357
Gayle Leith and Ryane E. Englar
Part II Performing the Physical Examination of Ruminants 369
14 Setting the Stage: Observing and Understanding Ruminant Behavior 371
Skyler Bentley and Shaun Huser
15 Safe Methods by Which to Approach and Restrain Ruminants 392
Skyler Bentley and Shaun Huser
17 Examining the Head of the Ruminant, with Emphasis on the Eyes, Ears,
Nose, Mouth, and Throat 419
Brian M. Shoemake and Dusty W. Nagy
18 Examining the Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems of the Ruminant 445
Leslie Weaver and Bryan Weaver
19 Examining the Lymphatic System of the Ruminant 455
Leslie Weaver and Bryan Weaver
20 Examination of the Ruminant Digestive System 461
21 Examining the Musculoskeletal System of Ruminants 483
Brian M. Shoemake and Dusty W. Nagy
22 Examining the Nervous System of the Ruminant 503
Dusty W. Nagy and Brian M. Shoemake
23 The Reproductive Exam in the Cow, Ewe, Doe, and Female South American
Camelid 518
Jennifer H. Koziol DVM, MS, DACT
24 The Reproductive Exam in the Bull, Ram, Buck, and South American Camelid
Stud 529
Jennifer H. Koziol DVM, MS, DACT
25 Examination of the Neonate 537
Dusty W. Nagy and Brian M. Shoemake
26 Clinical Diagnostic Procedures in Ruminants 550
Philippa (Pippa) Gibbons
27 Indications for Referral 575
Bryan Weaver and Leslie Weaver
Index 581
The editors
Gayle Leith, MS, DVM, MA, DABVP (Equine Practice) is an Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine in Oro Valley, Arizona, USA.
Sarah Eaton, DVM, DACT, CVA, DABVP (Equine Practice), is an Associate Professor of Practice Faculty at the University of Arizona in Oro Valley, Arizona, USA.
Ryane E. Englar, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice), is a dual appointment Associate Professor of Practice and the Executive Director of Clinical and Professional Skills at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine in Oro Valley, Arizona, USA.
Skyler Bentley, BS (Veterinary Science) is the Animal Care Manager on-site at the Campus Agricultural Center (CAC) in Tucson, Arizona, USA for the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine.
Lisa Hallam has been working in veterinary medicine as a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) since 1999.
