Clinical Examination of Farm Animals - CYF MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION

Clinical Examination of the Head and Neck
CLINICIAN’S CHECKLIST – CLOSE
INSPECTION OF THE EYE
Anterior chamber
Iris
Lens
Pupil
CLINICIAN’S CHECKLIST –
OPHTHALMOSCOPIC EXAMINATION
Retina
Tapetal and non-tapetal fundus
Optic disc
Hyaloid artery remnants
Figure 5.12 Muzzle of heifer showing fading lesions of bovine papular
stomatitis. See also Fig. 4.7.
Muzzle and nostrils
The muzzle or nose is normally moist with numerous
small droplets of fluid being present. Adry nose may
be indicative of ill health, especially in pyrexic animals.
It may also be found in normal animals which
have been resting. The nose may also be very dry in
cases of milk fever. Aclear mucoidal nasal discharge is
often seen in normal animals, but a mucopurulent
discharge can accompany infection in most parts of
the respiratory system. The nose is often dirty in very
sick animals. A blood-stained nasal discharge may
indicate damage to the nasal mucosa. Profuse nasal
haemorrhage may be seen as a terminal event in
cases of thrombosis of the caudal vena cava. Bovine
papular stomatitis is frequently accompanied by the
development of small papules, which are often
horseshoe shaped, on the muzzle and in the mouth
(Fig. 5.12; see also Fig. 4.7).
Air flow through both nostrils should be assessed by
holding the hand close to the nose where the pressure
of air flow can be appreciated. Air flow should be approximately
the same through each nostril and may
be reduced by inflammation of the nasal mucosa or
by tumour formation within the nasal passages. Further
investigation by endoscopy may be necessary to
determine where the lesion is and allow a biopsy to
be taken (see below). A foetid odour on the patient’s
breath may be detected in cases of nasal infection
and necrosis, pharyngeal infection or pneumonia.
The smell of ketones may be detected in cases of
ketosis. Chemical detection of ketones in the milk,
blood, urine or saliva, may provide a more accurate
diagnosis.
CLINICIAN’S CHECKLIST – INSPECTION OF
THE MUZZLE AND NOSTRILS
Moist or dry muzzle surface
Nasal discharge – quality and quantity
Air flow through both nostrils
Smell of the breath
Mouth
The mouth must be carefully inspected in good light
or with the aid of a pen torch. In young animals the
mouth can be readily held open by the clinician exerting
upward pressure on the hard palate and downward
pressure on the diastema. In older animals a
gag such as the Drinkwater gag or Young’s gag can be
used (Fig. 5.13). Difficulty in opening the mouth may
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