Nose: More Than Just Wet Kisses
The nose seems like such a simple thing, and you probably don’t even notice that we are looking at it. We check for a lot of things. Are there stenotic nares (a narrowing of the nasal passages causing severe difficulty in breathing as they grow, which certain breeds are predisposed to)? Is there any nasal discharge? Clear discharge is typically fine, but anything else could indicate infection—viral, bacterial, or even a foreign body. We also look at whether the discharge is one-sided or both.
Is the nose wet, dry, cracked, or red and irritated? Does it still have the cobblestone appearance? A change in this texture could signal serious conditions like autoimmune disorders. There’s a lot of information in a nose besides wet kisses.
Ears: A Wealth of Information
Ears carry a lot of information as well. Clean and clear ears make us happy veterinarians. However, redness, smell, or discharge means we need to investigate further. We use an otoscope to examine the ear canal and check the eardrum, though this isn't always possible if the pet is in pain or uncooperative. The way a pet holds its head and ears can also tell us a lot, particularly with behavioral concerns or inner ear diseases, which can sometimes be confused with strokes in pets.
Eyes: Windows to Health
They say that the eyes are the window to the soul, but they also reveal a lot about a pet’s health. We check if the pupils are the same size and whether they react to light. If not, it could point to very serious diseases. Color changes in the eyes are important too—Is the white part still white, or is it red? What’s the color of any discharge?
We also check the position of the eye. Some cancers start behind the eyeball, causing it to bulge. Additionally, we look for eye stability. While a normal eye wobble is common in some breeds like Siamese, in others it can indicate serious issues like vestibular syndrome.
Sudden behavioral changes can sometimes be linked to acute blindness, which can go unnoticed by the owner. For example, a recent case involved a cat that suddenly stopped moving after being normal the night before. Upon examination, it was found to be blind due to retinal detachment from undiagnosed kidney failure. While the cat is no longer visual, treating the kidney disease has improved its overall health.
Throat: Feeling for Clues
When we feel underneath the chin and down the throat, we’re looking for lymph nodes, which, if enlarged, can indicate infection or cancer. In cats, we also check the neck for hyperactive thyroid glands. Additionally, we feel for other lumps and bumps, as well as sensitivity in the trachea. If a pet coughs easily, it may signal a need to examine the respiratory or cardiovascular system further.
This is just a brief overview of what we’re looking for in the front part of your pet. There’s so much more information to gather from the rest of the body. Stay tuned for the next blogs to find out more!