CV testing techniques

Question 1

What history questions do you need to find out about?

Answer 1

1. Establish signs noticed by owner
2. Duration
3. Progression
4. General History- ownership, vaccine/ worming, feeding, exercise, travel
5. Medical History- previous/ concurrent illness, previous/ current treatment
6. Everything else normal?

Question 2

Clinical examination what do you need to do?

Answer 2

SOAP
Subjective - can't measure
Objective - can measure
Assessment
Plan

Question 3

What key things are you assessing when doing a clinical examination for the CV system

Answer 3

1. Body condition/ muscling
2. mucous membrane colour, capillary refill time
3. Resp rate and pattern LSHF = pulmonary oedema. RSHF = plural effusion
4. HR and rhythm: feel pulse at same time to ensure no erythmia
5. Heart sound
6. Lung sound: crackly = fluid. Plural effusion = no lung sound
   Thoracic percussion = should be hollow dorsally
7. Pulse quality
8. Evidence of ascites/ oranomegaly (enlargement - RSHF = Liver and spleen) / oedema
9. Jugular distension/ pulsation