Chapter 2

Preventative Health Care

Amy D'Andrea and Jessica Sjogren

Introduction Physical Examinations Large Animal History Preliminary Examination Types of Physical Examinations Physical Examination Other Assessments Vaccinations Guiding Principles for Vaccinating an Animal Adverse Reactions from Vaccinations Vaccine Categories Equine Injection Sites Vaccines for Preventing Fatal Diseases in Horses Vaccines to Minimize Illnesses in Horses Areas of Injection and Blood Draws in Cattle Dairy and Beef Cattle Vaccines Small Ruminant Vaccines Areas of Injection in Swine Swine Vaccines Rabies Anthrax Hoof Care Common Diseases and Disorders of the Hoof Lameness Grading Scale

 

Introduction

Preventative health care consists of services that are designed to help prevent diseases and/or ailments in animals. It includes routine physical examinations, vaccinations, deworming programs, nutrition, and hoof/foot and dental care (in large animals). Each species has a recommended preventative health care program that is designed for its optimum health benefits and encourages an overall healthier life. This approach to veterinary care is proactive, and it is important to establish a preventative program at every stage of life.

Physical Examinations

The physical examination is by far the most cost effect diagnostic tool available in veterinary medicine. Much can be learned about the animal through a thorough examination. Technicians can play vital roles by assisting the veterinarian in this process. It is also important that technicians have the ability to assess an animal's overall health so that they can better help their clients with compliance in animal care. Large animal species should have a physical examination at least once per year. A proper exam should be done prior to purchasing an animal, prior to immunization, prior to any procedure involving anesthetics, and when the veterinarian is visiting the farm to see an animal with a problem. The following tables will cover methods and specific areas of the physical examination in both pediatric and adult patients.

Table 2.1 / Large Animal History

Type of Information Information That Should Be Obtained Person Providing Information

• Owner
• Trainer
• Farm employee

Insurance Information

• Company name
• Policy information
• Type of insurance

Patient Signalment

• Age
• Sex
• Breed
• Color
• Markings

Diet

• Feed schedule
• Forage/hay
• Grain
• Supplements
• Dietary changes

Water

• Sources and availability

Housing/Type

• Environment
• Turnout schedule
• Geographic location
• Shelter

Reproductive Status

• Castrated versus intact, maiden, pregnant (breeding date), parity, breeding male, breeding history, collection history, EVA (equine viral arteritis), contagious equine metritis (CEM), Trichomoniasis, brucellosis status.

Vaccination History

• What was administered and when?

Deworming History

• What was administered and when?

Previous Illness

• When illness occurred, its duration, its severity

Chief Complaint

• Onset (acute or chronic)
• Severity
• Previous occurrence

Herd Information

• Number of animals in herd
• Identified animals that are affected
• Any deaths due to occurrence

Table 2.2 / Preliminary Examination

Definition/Normal/Abnormal Equipment and Technique Chief Complaint

• The current issue for which the owner is seeking veterinary care for their animal

• Thorough patient history
• Appetite, water intake, urination, defecation, behavior, changes in temperament, any current medications

Past History

• Any previous health conditions, behavior changes, and/or physical changes that may worsen the current complaint

• Documentation
• Immunization dates
• Deworming dates and pharmaceuticals used
• Hoof care
• Floating dates
• Reproductive hx: Number of offspring

Signalment

• Age
• Breed
• Sex
• Reproductive status

• N/A

General Appearance

• Body condition score
• Overall health status
• Attitude
• Obvious lameness
• Wounds
• Lesions

• Visual evaluation of the animal's condition, including the coat, integument, temperament
• Evaluation of fat deposits in relation to skeletal features

Heart Rate

• This reflects cardiac function.

Normal

• Equine: 28-49 beats/min
• Bovine: 48-84 beats/min
• Small ruminant: 70-80 beats/min
• Swine: 70-120 beats/min

• Direct palpation of pulse
• Auscultation of the thoracic cavity
• Electrocardiograph

Respiration

• This reflects proper oxygenation of the body's tissues and the ability to eliminate carbon dioxide from the blood.

Normal resting rates

• Equine: 10-14 breaths/min
• Bovine: 26-50 breaths/min
• Small ruminant: 16-34 breaths/min
• Swine: 32-58 breaths/min

• Auscultation of the thoracic cavity
• Pulmonary examination
• Examination of the nares, nose
• Auscultation of the trachea

Pulses Normal (see Heart Rate above.)

• Match rate and rhythm of the heart rate.
• Digital artery, facial artery, coccygeal artery

• Direct palpation
• Use index and middle finger over designated arteries to evaluate pulse quality, strength, rate, and symmetry.

Mucous Membranes Normal

• Pink

• Visual observation
• Gingival, conjunctiva of the lower eyelid, membrane lining of the sheath or vulva

Capillary Refill Time Normal

• 1-2 seconds

• Direct palpation
• Pressure applied to the mucous membranes until blanched and then timed for blood (pink color) to return

Temperature Normal

• Equine:
  • Mares: 100°F
  • Stallions: 99.7°F
• Bovine:
  • Dairy: 101°F
  • Beef: 101.5°F
• Small ruminant: 102.3°F
• Swine: 102.5°F

• Rectal thermometer
• Temperature probe (rectal or esophageal)

Weight

• See body condition scoring system

• Recorded in kilograms and pounds
• Weight tape based on species
• Note the body condition score (BCS) and dietary history

Table 2.3 / Types of Physical Examinations

Type of Examination Reason Skills Utilized Diagnostic Physical Exam

• Evaluation of medical and/or surgical problems

• TPR
• Multisystem examination and/or system-specific evaluation

Insurance Examination

• Required by an insurance company (predominantly in horses) before an animal can be insured
• Types of insurance and animal value determine extent of the examination.

• TPR
• Ranges from basic to thorough multisystem exam

Prepurchase Examination

• At the request of a potential buyer
• Performed in order to determine physical status of an animal for anticipated use and estimated value

• Depth of exam is determined by intended use by the buyer and estimated value of the animal.
• Diagnostic physical exam and radiographs
• Blood samples: This can be done with a needle and syringe or a Vacutainer® (Figures 2.1, Figure 2.2, Figure 2.3)
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Endoscopy
• Diagnostic...