Ginger - Physical Examination
So we give Ginger a physical examination; here is a list
of our findings:
- Ginger is underweight
- His temperature is normal at 101 degrees Fahrenheit
(normal 100-102)
- He is slightly dehydrated
- He is slightly pale
- His breath is smelly
- His kidneys feel a little small
- He has no unusual lumps or bumps that we can feel
Do you have any idea what the problem is now?
We are suspicious that Ginger's Kidneys are not working as efficiently as
they might.
Why? Well for several reasons from our clinical findings:
A normal temperature makes a bacterial or viral infection less likely so
we look for things which may be wrong with the way Ginger's body is functioning.
The kidneys are responsible for the production of urine but more correctly
they are responsible for holding on to the fluid which the body needs to
function. The rest of the body's fluid is voided as urine and carries with
it other waste products. If Ginger's kidneys aren't working properly he
could be getting rid of too much water and therefore become dehydrated.
The vet also thought that Ginger's kidneys felt slightly small so this is
another clue to think about the kidneys' function.
What about the smelly breath?
Well bad breath can be attributed to many things, including bad or rotten
teeth and gum disease but as we said the kidneys are responsible for voiding
the body's waste products. Animals with kidney disease become what is known
as uraemic - waste products such as urea build up in the blood to the point
where they can even be smelled on the breath.
So we suspect a problem with Ginger's kidneys... out of the list from before
which of the two remaining options would you like to carry out next?
