183
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→General Physical Examination
* Skin Turgor, Mucous membrane color and moisture, Capillary refil time (CRT)
* Skin Turgor, Mucous membrane color and moisture, Capillary refil time (CRT)
* Presence of digital pulses
* Presence of digital pulses
For normal physiology values in horses, click [[Equine Section - WikiNormals|here]].
=====Attitude and External Appearance=====
=====Attitude and External Appearance=====
Tachypnoea and tachychardia can be seen in the horse with colic. This is due to pain, but mainly due to decreased circulating volume, decreased preload, and endotoxemia. The rate should be measured over time, and its response to analgesic therapy ascertained. A pulse that continues to rise in rate to 60 to 70 beats per minute and weaken in quality over 6 to 8 hours in the face of adequate analgesia is considered a surgical indication. Infarctive disease is characterised by an increaseing, non-fluctuating heart rate.
Tachypnoea and tachychardia can be seen in the horse with colic. This is due to pain, but mainly due to decreased circulating volume, decreased preload, and endotoxemia. The rate should be measured over time, and its response to analgesic therapy ascertained. A pulse that continues to rise in rate to 60 to 70 beats per minute and weaken in quality over 6 to 8 hours in the face of adequate analgesia is considered a surgical indication. Infarctive disease is characterised by an increaseing, non-fluctuating heart rate.
Mucous membrane colour and moisture and capillary refil time (CRT) can be assessed to appreciate the severity of haemodynamic compromise.A reduced skin tent indicates dehydration. The mucous membranes change from pink and moist to red and dry as the circulating blood volume decreases. Reddening of the mucous membranes indicates haemoconcentration and worsens as the patient goes into shock. Reddening reflects worse prognosis, and cyanotic membranes indicate a very poor chance of a positive outcome as it it indicates that the horse is in endotoxic shock. A reduced skin tent indicates dehydration.
Mucous membrane colour and moisture and capillary refil time (CRT) can be assessed to appreciate the severity of haemodynamic compromise.A reduced skin tent indicates dehydration. The mucous membranes change from pink and moist to red and dry as the circulating blood volume decreases. Reddening of the mucous membranes indicates haemoconcentration and worsens as the patient goes into shock. Reddening reflects worse prognosis, and cyanotic membranes indicate a very poor chance of a positive outcome as it it indicates that the horse is in endotoxic shock. A reduced skin tent indicates dehydration.
===Auscultation===
===Auscultation===