The General Examination

This focuses on organ systems other than the skin.  Use the skills you have learned in the other clinical disciplines.

Begin with visual examination of the animal from a distance.

• You may wish to see the animal walk around.  You can evaluate demeanour. You may observe lesions, which would be more difficult to appreciate when close to e.g. when the animal is on the consulting room table
  
  
• You will already have had the opportunity to observe the animal whilst taking the history.  Was it alert and interested, was it listless, did it lie down and go to sleep?  If it licked or scratched, which sites were involved? And so on...

Then carry out a physical examination. This usually combines examination of the skin and other organs.