Chapter 43: The Physical Examination and Patient History
1. The patient history provides the background information on the patient including
2. Signalment (age, gender, breed), Past illnesses or diseases, Past surgeries or
medical procedures, Previous injuries, Genetic history of parents and other
3. The physical exam is important since a careful description of the history or onset
of a problem will simplify the diagnosis. Many factors based on past medical
4. The body system exam includes: observation of the animal, an oral exam, a head
5. The veterinary assistant should observe the animal as it walks to the exam area,
observing the gait for any limping or signs of lameness. This is also an
6. The signalment information includes obtaining the patient’s name, age or date of
birth, gender, color, and breed or species.
7. The chief complaint is the reason the animal is being seen, as this is the most
8. Triage is a quick general assessment of an animal to determine how quickly the
Clinical Situation