In such cases there may even be complete dulness when the distended pericardium thrusts upwards the corresponding pulmonary lobe, and comes in contact with the internal surface of the thoracic wall, or, in cases of pericardial pneumatosis, exaggerated resonance, and a tympanitic sound.
Auscultation is carried out either directly or by the stethoscope or the phonendoscope. The normal or pathological sounds of the heart are thus ascertained, as well as the intensity of the cardiac beats and sounds, the frequency of the rhythm, etc.
When injuries have occurred which cause murmurs, it is best to use the stethoscope and to apply it at the points where murmurs are heard at their maximum intensity, i.e., exactly at the spot where the cardiac shock is noted, and towards the base, in the region where the great arterial trunks begin.
In the latter case it is often useful to draw the left fore leg forward.
Arteries. The arteries are rarely the seat of lesions that can be detected by examination, and therefore such examination is usually limited to noting the state of the pulse.
Arteritis and thrombosis of arteries are rare, and although lesions of atheroma have been discovered in certain chronic diseases, such as tuberculosis, chronic diarrhœa, etc., they are difficult to detect, even on examination per rectum of the bifurcation of the aorta.
Pulse. The examination of the pulse, on the contrary, is of great importance. In animals of the bovine species the pulse may be taken at a number of different points, such as the submaxillary artery, on the side of the lower jaw: in the case of very thin animals at the radial within and in front of the elbow joint; at the internal saphenous artery, at the height of the mamma or scrotum; or at the coccygeal artery, at the base of the tail.
This examination reveals the frequency (50 to 60 per minute), the quality, whether strong, feeble, imperceptible, etc., the regularity, etc., etc.
Veins. The veins are more easily examined than the arteries, on account of their superficial position in most cases.
Inspection and palpation are the only means of examination.