10 pro techniques: Mastering the art of the bovine physical exam

The bovine physical examination is viewed as a rudimentary skill utilized by the bovine practitioner, but this skill set, when performed with precision, detail and diligence, can provide information that will prompt further diagnostic testing as well as offer insight for making appropriate decisions on a diagnosis and prognosis for the animal being evaluated. Here, we’ll break down the physical exam to review the components and focus on techniques to gather more information for a systematic ap­proach to the physical exam.