**3.1 External inspection and vaginal evaluation**

External inspection can identify congenital or acquired anatomical defects as pneumovagina, vulvar defects, tumors or injuries. The anatomy of the area, secretions around vulva or tail, and vulvar and vaginal coloration should be evaluated.

In vaginal palpation, vulvar and vestibular functionality are evaluated though the pressure of these structures around the clinician's hand. It also assesses the presence of adhesions, abnormal structures and cervical defects. The vaginal contents should be inspected to detect urine (if urovagina), pus (if endometritis, vaginitis ...), blood (post-ovulation or some diseases) or clear and clean mucus (associated with heat) (Figure 4).

Fig. 4. Transparent and abundant vaginal mucus indicates optimal heat and good uterine environment.

Vaginoscopy is helpful to visualize the vaginal cavity and cervix. Feces are removed from rectum before the perineal area, vestibule and clitoral fossa were cleaned and finally dried. The speculum -which must be clean, dry, sterile, and lubricated- is inserted in direction of the pelvic canal. Once crossed the vestibule, the negative pressure inside allows air to penetrate. Hyperemia may result in 30-60 sec, which hampers the assessment of the vaginal mucosa coloration. The vestibule acts as a defensive barrier of the female genital tract, and hinders the entry of the speculum. If this does not occurs, dysfunctions can be present (e.g. in pneumovagina). Similarly, if material is accumulated into the vagina, speculum helps to localize its origin.

The examination of internal organs (uterus, oviducts and ovaries) demands other techniques, as manual palpation and ultrasound.
