01/15/2026
What is my veterinarian assessing during a physical exam?
A physical exam is exactly what it sounds like—an in-depth head-to-tail assessment of your pet’s body. It’s one of the most important parts of their visit and often the first step in uncovering what’s going on beneath the surface.
Here’s what your veterinarian is checking from nose to tail:
🩺 Vital signs
• Weight
• Temperature
• Heart rate & pulse quality
• Breathing rate & breathing effort
👀 Eyes – clarity, comfort, discharge, squinting
👂 Ears – redness, odor, discharge, itchiness, pain
🧴 Skin & coat – hair loss, growths, wounds, parasites, swelling, itchiness
🦴 Muscles & joints (orthopedic) – limping, pain, stiffness, mobility
🦷 Dental health – tartar, gingivitis, fractured teeth, tooth root abscesses
🧠 Neurologic function – awareness, feeling, coordination, spinal comfort
❤️🩹 Heart & circulation – murmurs, arrhythmias, pulse strength, mucous membrane appearance
🍽️ Gastrointestinal system – abdominal discomfort, re**al exam
🫁 Respiratory system – nasal discharge, breathing effort, crackles or wheezes
Will I get a diagnosis?
Sometimes, a physical exam alone can lead to a diagnosis—but more often, it’s just the starting point. Many signs and symptoms have a textbook-long list of possible causes.
That’s why additional work-up like bloodwork, imaging, or other diagnostics are often recommended—to rule out concerns, narrow down possibilities, and reach a definitive diagnosis.
Getting the right diagnosis allows us to provide the most effective treatment and the fastest path to relief for your pet Don’t hesitate to ask questions or discuss recommendations—working together leads to the best care possible.
