Bovine physical examination

Abstract

The physical examination is the foundation of the diagnostic workup in cattle. The physical exam begins with a distance exam where the animal is observed prior to restraint where pa­rameters such as mental status, abdominal contour and lame­ness are best evaluated. With completion of the distance exam, the hands-on examination begins. It has been said that you miss more by not looking than by not knowing. For this reason, a systematic physical examination in which the examining veterinarian follows a standard pattern for every animal exam­ined is to be followed.