What are the key components of a comprehensive veterinary physical examination?

A comprehensive veterinary physical examination is essential for evaluating an animal's overall health and pinpointing any medical issues. The key components include the assessment of vital signs, which refers to measuring parameters like heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and blood pressure. These vital signs provide crucial information about the animal's physiological state and can indicate underlying health problems.

Additionally, the assessment of body condition is critical to determine whether an animal is underweight, at an ideal weight, or overweight, which can affect its well-being and risk for various diseases. Evaluating organ function involves checks, such as examining the heart, lungs, and abdomen, to assess how well these organs are performing and to identify any abnormalities.

While gait analysis and psychological assessments, owner interviews, diet history, and behavioral assessments are valuable in understanding an animal's health and lifestyle, the assessment of vital signs, body condition, and organ function forms the cornerstone of a thorough physical examination. These aspects directly relate to the physiological and physical state of the animal, making them integral to the examination process.