PTRCVM002 - Conscious Oral Exam of the Dog and Cat

Course Description

In this 3.5-hour online course we cover the first step in assessing a patient for oral disease, performing a thorough oral examination including a review of the anatomy and some of the more common disease processes. You’ll see up close 4K videos of conscious oral exams performed on both a dog and a cat, learn from detailed animations, and explore 3-D models that can be manipulated to visualize anatomy and abnormalities. We also present high-quality clinical photos and detailed anatomical illustrations as we look in depth at the conscious oral exam.

The conscious oral examination is typically performed as part of the general physical examination. Assuming the patient is cooperative, an oral examination is always indicated regardless of whether the patient is presented specifically for an oral complaint or for an unrelated reason. Numerous oral and dental diseases are subtle in nature, and it is not until you identify and treat them that patients show obvious improvement in appetite or behavior.

Despite being a relatively small area, the oral cavity has complex anatomy and is affected by numerous disease processes. This comprehensive course will help guide you through a systematic method of examining the relevant structures. It is intended as a review of common oral and dental diseases and the clinically important anatomy which they affect.

Faculty Author

Nadine Fiani

Santiago Peralta

Benefits to the Learner

• Learn how to perform a conscious oral examination in a systematic and repeatable manner and how to compile significant oral examination findings

• Explain the components of an extraoral examination and their significance including assessing the position of the eyes, the muscles of mastication, and palpation of the superficial salivary glands and lymph nodes

• Recognize the importance of investigating developmental abnormalities including those that result in variations in tooth structure or number

• Perform an occlusal assessment including classification of and treatment recommendations for malocclusions

• Describe the pathogenesis and recognize clinical signs of periodontal and endodontic disease

• Identify the soft tissue structures of the vestibule and oral cavity proper and recognize signs that suggest disease of the soft tissues

• Understand how to record any other exam findings including tooth resorption, abrasion, and maxillofacial trauma

• Learners will be able to explore detailed anatomical illustrations and 3D models of the gross oral anatomy with relation to clinically relevant structures

Target Audience

• Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVMs) who care for dogs and cats
• Veterinary students who intend on going into small animal practice
• Veterinary technicians and veterinary technician students

Accrediting Associations

• The American Association of Veterinary State Boards RACE Approval Number 20-773429 3.5 Hours