Look at the Whole Patient
Full history including diet and environment and recent changes
-When a pet is sick clients will often do some research and find that diet and environment is incorrect. Many times they
make those changes just prior to their visit and report to you only the recent diet and environment. It is up to you and your
staff to find out what the real situation is that the patient has been in prior to the visit.
Watch the Patient During Amanesia
-While gathering the history sit and watch the patient's affect without the client or your staff interacting with the patient
- how it stands, how it interacts with its environment, the expression on its face, whether the eyes appear to be bright and
alert, the posture of its body, how it acts when it ambulates. A healthy patient will calm during this time and begin to interact
and explore the new environment with time.
Full Physical Exam Looking at the Affected Part Last
-We often get so involved with the presenting complaint that we miss other problems that are less obvious and possibly more
serious. Examine the whole patient and do not let the client distract you from examining the whole patient.
Watch how the patient recovers after the exam
-A healthy patient recovers quickly from the stress of restraint and handling and resumes normal activity and curiosity
about its environment.
Perform Diagnostics
Radiographs
Bloodwork
Culture and Sensitivity
Ultrasound
Fine Needle Aspirates
Cytology
Know What is Normal for that Species
- Mucus membrane color
- Physiologic erythemia vs. hemorrhage
- Syringe feeding incorrect diets
- Mistaking the sex
- Anatomical structures
