Clinical Signs
Live animals should have a complete physical examination performed and be closely examined for the presence of any unusual clinical signs. Ultimately, the conclusion of the physical examination may help to narrow the list of toxicants.
Both the nature of the signs and the sequence of events should be documented. Specific abnormalities such as the color and consistency of mucous membranes, mouth lesions, blistering on pink skin areas, loss of hair around the eyes or tail, horizontal lines on hoof walls, presence of bite marks, and other abnormal findings may help determine whether the process is specific to an organ system or more generalized in nature. It is important to remember that in some instances this may not actually be an intoxication because other diseases or illnesses may result in similar generalized, nonspecific clinical signs.The time frame from when the animal was last noted to be normal to the onset of signs should be determined, as should cessation, continuation, and duration of signs. Much of this information may need to be obtained in a historical manner from the animal caregiver because the veterinarian is often examining the animal at a single time point in the progression of signs and may otherwise miss valuable information.
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