Detailed Explanation of Canine Disease Diagnostic Techniques: Introduction to Palpation Methods

This involves using fingers, the palm, or the back of the hand to touch the corresponding parts of the dog's body to determine whether there is any lesion, as well as the location, size, shape, hardness, humidity, temperature, and sensitivity of the lesion. In addition, diagnostic instruments (such as various probes) can also be used for palpation. Palpation with instruments requires certain equipment, medical knowledge, and technical skill, which is generally difficult for ordinary households to manage; therefore, we focus on introducing the method of using the hands to touch the dog's body to examine and discover abnormal signs.

Palpation is usually based on inspection, with key touching of suspicious areas and organs. Palpation can be divided into two types: superficial palpation and deep palpation.

First, superficial palpation is mainly used to examine body surface temperature, humidity, and sensitivity. During superficial palpation, the fingers are extended, placed flat against the body surface, and gently slid without pressure, feeling each area in sequence. When checking body surface temperature, it is best to use the back of the hand, because the back of the hand is more sensitive to temperature, and it should be compared with adjacent areas, which makes the sensation more accurate. Superficial palpation is also used to examine cardiac pulsation, muscle tension, and swelling or deformation of bones and joints. When muscles become tense due to spasm (such as in tetanus), palpation feels increased hardness; when muscles are flaccid due to paralysis, they feel relaxed and weak.

Second, deep palpation uses different amounts of force to press the affected area, that is, using the fingertips to gradually apply pressure in order to feel the location, size, presence or absence of pain, and abnormal masses of deep organs. For example, in intestinal obstruction caused by fecal impaction in dogs, a hard mass can generally be detected by deep palpation. The principle of palpation should be from the surroundings to the center, from superficial to deep, and from light to heavy. Specifically, during palpation, one should start from the healthy area or the healthy side, then move to the affected area or affected side, and compare the healthy and affected sides. The amount of force used should be determined by the nature of the lesion and the depth of the area; if the lesion is superficial or the pain is severe, the force should be small; conversely, the force can be somewhat greater. To judge the response to palpation, pay attention to the dog's movements during palpation; for example, if the dog looks back, dodges, or resists, this is often a sign of sensitivity or pain.