Pediatric Physical Examination Normals

Age / Puppy Normal / Kitten Normal
General Appearance
Temperament / Birth–6 weeks / • First 2–3 weeks should consist of eating and sleeping.
• Nursing should be vigorous and active with a good “suckle reflex.”
• Active playtime with mother and littermates from 3 weeks on
Body Weight / Birth–4 weeks / • Toy: 100–400 g
• Medium: 200–300 g
• Large: 400–500 g
• Giant: >700 g
• Birth weight should double in days 10–12. / • 90–110 g
• 100 g
• Birth weight should double in 14 days.
5 weeks–6 months / • Gain 1–2 g/day/lb of adult body weight
• Obtained 50% of adult weight / • Gain 10–15 g/day on average
Reached adult weight / • Small breed: 8–12 months
• Medium breed: 12–18 months
• Large-giant breed: 18–24 months
• By maturity, most canines will ↑ birth weight 40–50×. / • 10 months
Coat/Skin / Birth–6 months / • Shiny and complete hair coat
Temperature / Birth–1 week / • 96°–98°F
• Cannot regulate own body temperature for the first 3 weeks (puppy) or 1 week (kitten)
• Neonates should never be left unattended or warmed on electric heating pads because their neuromuscular reflexes are not present until 7 days of age.
2–4 weeks / • 99–100.5°F
Head
Eyes / Birth–6 months / • Eyes open around 5–14 days.
• Iris is blue gray.
• Changes to adult color at approximately 4–6 weeks of age
• Adult vision at 5–10 weeks of age
• Pupillary light responses may not be evident until 21 days of age.
• Strabismus or deviation of eyes at 3–5 months of age
Ears / Birth–6 months / • Complete hearing at 4–6 weeks of age
• External ear canals open between 6 and 14 days and are completely open by 17 days.
• Canals may be full of desquamative cells and some oil droplets.
Mouth / Birth–3 months / • Sucking reflex is present at birth and disappears at 3 weeks of age.
Deciduous tooth eruption
• Incisors: 2–4 weeks
• Canines: 3–5 weeks
• Premolars: 4–12 weeks
4–6 months / Permanent tooth eruption
• Incisors: 3–5 months
• Canines: 4–7 months
• Premolars: 4–6 months
• Molars: 4–5 months
Nose / Birth–6 months / • Normal adult appearance
Skull / Birth–4 weeks / • Normal adult appearance
Thorax
General Appearance / Birth–6 months / • Symmetrical chest wall
Heart / Birth–4 weeks / • Heart rate: 220 beats/min
• Heart rhythm is a regular sinus rhythm.
5 weeks–6 months / • Heart rate: 70–180 beats/min / • Heart rate: 110–200 beats/min
Lungs / Birth–4 weeks / • Respiratory rate: 15–35 breaths/min / • Respiratory rate: 25–35 breaths/min
5 weeks to 6 months / • Respiratory rate: 10–30 breaths/min / • Respiratory rate: 25–40 breaths/min
Abdomen
General Appearance / Birth–4 weeks / • Umbilical cord falls off in 2–3 days
Internal Organs / Birth–4 weeks / • Kidneys are palpable in kittens and in some puppies.
• Normal spleen will sometimes be palpable in an older puppy if the foreleg is extended, allowing organs to fall caudally; spleen only palpable if enlarged in kittens.
• Liver margins should not extend past the ribs.
• Stomach will feel like a large fluid-filled sac if full.
• Intestines are soft and freely movable without pain and may be fluid or gas filled. Thickened/“ropy” feel may indicate endoparasitism.
• Urinary bladder should have resistance to urine outflow.
Limbs
Forelimbs
Hind Limbs / Birth–6 months / • Normal adult appearance (breed influenced)
Perineum Genitals
Genitalia / Birth–6 months / • Normal adult appearance
• Descended testicles by 4–6 weeks of age (diagnose cryptorchid after 16 weeks)
Anus / Birth–6 months / • Normal adult appearance