**7.2 Physical examination**

The physical examination of a dysmorphic patient follows clinical principles, as in any specialty, and should be detailed. In addition to obvious defects, other abnormalities that the animal may have should be sought, even if they are only minimal. All anatomical regions and organic systems should be examined. All inspection and palpation should be done carefully in order not to miss any minor anomalies. One should always remember that the animal hair coat may make it difficult to see an anomaly but palpation contact facilitates detection. Minor anomalies, which may at first appear irrelevant, may help in the diagnosis. One should also remember that external defects, even if there is only one, may be a sign of an internal defect, meaning that specific examinations are required to locate them. The more minor defects at patient has, the greater the chance that it will also have major defects. Measurements of various segments of the body should be made routinely as they help to recognize patterns or define patterns of congenital malformations. An examination of normal relatives could also be useful.

#### **7.3 Diagnostic tests**

In many cases the diagnosis can be obtained with a minimum number of diagnostic tests. However, in other cases, a large number of tests is required, which significantly increases the cost, which often makes a more in-depth evaluation impossible in veterinary medicine. Some tests can only be conducted at universities, research centers or large private clinics. Imaging tests (simple X-ray, contrast X-ray, tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, endoscopy) are especially useful, as are karyotype analyses, biochemical examinations and, when available, DNA tests. The affected animals that do not survive should be submitted to a detailed postmortem examination. This examination provides diagnostic information and can help to develop treatment strategies for future cases.

#### **7.4 Care and treatment**

Therapy varies according to the type of defect. Very serious dysmorphisms often make life impossible, while less serious types often require no treatment. When treatment is possible, it can vary from methods that improve the quality of life of the patient to full correction of the defect. For instance, in the first case, a system of wheels for a dog that was born with no pelvic limbs (nowadays, there are "wheelchairs" for dogs and cats that are sold commercially); in the second case, a surgery to correct a cleft lip and palate or to correct a patent ductus arteriosus. There are cases where simple care is all that is required, such as giving a dog with oligodontia soft and previously cut food.

(metabolic disorders, infectious diseases, etc.), the mother's food, any medication given to the mother during pregnancy, and particularities of pregnancy and labor. Whenever possible, the veterinarian should seek not only similar cases but also different defects between sibs of the affected animal and other relatives. A pedigree should be drawn that is as complete as possible to facilitate the genetic analysis and enable the identification of an

The physical examination of a dysmorphic patient follows clinical principles, as in any specialty, and should be detailed. In addition to obvious defects, other abnormalities that the animal may have should be sought, even if they are only minimal. All anatomical regions and organic systems should be examined. All inspection and palpation should be done carefully in order not to miss any minor anomalies. One should always remember that the animal hair coat may make it difficult to see an anomaly but palpation contact facilitates detection. Minor anomalies, which may at first appear irrelevant, may help in the diagnosis. One should also remember that external defects, even if there is only one, may be a sign of an internal defect, meaning that specific examinations are required to locate them. The more minor defects at patient has, the greater the chance that it will also have major defects. Measurements of various segments of the body should be made routinely as they help to recognize patterns or define patterns of congenital malformations. An examination of

In many cases the diagnosis can be obtained with a minimum number of diagnostic tests. However, in other cases, a large number of tests is required, which significantly increases the cost, which often makes a more in-depth evaluation impossible in veterinary medicine. Some tests can only be conducted at universities, research centers or large private clinics. Imaging tests (simple X-ray, contrast X-ray, tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, endoscopy) are especially useful, as are karyotype analyses, biochemical examinations and, when available, DNA tests. The affected animals that do not survive should be submitted to a detailed postmortem examination. This examination provides diagnostic information and can help to develop treatment strategies

Therapy varies according to the type of defect. Very serious dysmorphisms often make life impossible, while less serious types often require no treatment. When treatment is possible, it can vary from methods that improve the quality of life of the patient to full correction of the defect. For instance, in the first case, a system of wheels for a dog that was born with no pelvic limbs (nowadays, there are "wheelchairs" for dogs and cats that are sold commercially); in the second case, a surgery to correct a cleft lip and palate or to correct a patent ductus arteriosus. There are cases where simple care is all that is required, such as

giving a dog with oligodontia soft and previously cut food.

inheritance pattern when there is one.

normal relatives could also be useful.

**7.3 Diagnostic tests** 

for future cases.

**7.4 Care and treatment** 

**7.2 Physical examination** 
