Clinical examination & diagnostic procedures
Whenever a free-ranging tiger is handled for any purpose, it should be subjected to a thorough examination. This does not only apply to tigers that are injured, orphaned or diseased, but also those caught for research purposes such as radio-collaring or during the resolution of human-tiger conflict situations. Not only is an examination essential for the diagnosis of injuries or disease, but it also is an important part of gathering data for population health monitoring.
Thorough and systematic physical examination is the cornerstone of providing effective treatments for sick and injured tigers and assessing whether in situ treatments will be sufficient or whether the patient needs to be taken into temporary captivity for a period of rehabilitation. Without a thorough examination, injuries or sicknesses will be missed, and treatment may be ineffective. Whenever possible the physical examination of a tiger should be performed by a qualified and suitably experienced veterinarian, but in remote locations in the field this is often not possible, and non-veterinarians may have to step in. It is therefore extremely important that the general principles of performing a physical examination are understood by a wide range of field staff.
After performing an examination, non-veterinarians may be able to relay their findings to a veterinarian who can then give advice about treatment or management of the animal. Without access to the data gathered by performing an examination, it is exceedingly difficult for the veterinarian to give appropriate advice.
This section of the website provides a basic guide to clinical examination and diagnostic techniques, although this is no substitute for hands-on training or practical workshops. Zoo veterinarians in tiger range countries have much to offer in this regard. Advanced or sophisticated techniques requiring expensive equipment and considerable veterinary expertise will not be emphasised or explained in detail. Accurate diagnoses often depend on the results of biological sample testing – samples such as blood, serum, urine, faeces, etc. Details of the collection and testing of such samples are given in a separate section – Sampling and Testing for Health Screening.
All clinical observations should be recorded. An example of a simple clinical record is given here – adapted from Alshinetsy, 2007. Even if symptoms are not understood at the time, recording abnormalities and taking pictures where possible enables discussion with experienced vets to help interpret at least in retrospect.
Whilst handling tigers for any purpose it is important for staff to protect themselves against physical injury and zoonotic disease. See Safety guidelines
CLINICAL EXAMINATION:
Basic anatomical terms of direction used when describing the location of a body part(s)
Clinical history & observation of a conscious tiger
Clinical examination of an anaesthetised or unconscious tiger
DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES:
Intravenous catheter placement
Endoscopy of the gastrointestinal tract