Untitled Quiz

Health is the condition of an animal where all its body structures are normal and function optimally, relative to its age, sex, work, and purpose.
Signs of health include: temperature, pulse rate, respiration, mucous membrane condition, coat condition, appetite and digestion, and posture and attitude.

Each species has a specific normal temperature.
An animal is considered healthy if its temperature is normal or constant.
Factors affecting body temperature:
- Physiological factors:
  - Sex: Females typically have a higher temperature than males.
  - Age: Young animals typically have a higher temperature than older animals.
  - Pregnancy: Pregnant animals usually have a higher temperature than non-pregnant animals.
  - Feeding: Body temperature tends to increase after feeding.
  - Exercise: Body temperature increases after strenuous exercise.
  - Season: Temperature is typically higher in spring and summer, and lower in autumn and winter. Diurnal variations (approximately 0.8°C) also occur.
  - Lactation: Cows in peak lactation have a slightly elevated temperature.
- Pathological factors:
  - Fever: Increased temperature.
  - Disease: Temperature may be elevated during illness or lowered in serious illness or just before death.
Method of measuring temperature: A clinical thermometer is inserted into the rectum. The mercury is first shaken down, the thermometer is fully inserted, and it's left in place for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Fowl temperature is measured from the cloaca, and precautions should be taken not to insert the probe too far. Digital thermometers may also be used, usually beeping to signal measurement completion.

Examination of respiration provides information on respiratory function.
(1) Rate: Number of respiratory movements per minute. Obtained by observing:
- Movement of the flanks, ribs, and sternum.
- Movement of the diaphragm during inhalation and exhalation.
- Rise and fall of the nostrils (in horses).
(2) Type: Three main types:
- Costal respiration: involving primarily costal muscles (e.g., dogs, cats).
- Abdominal respiration: involving primarily abdominal muscles (e.g., cattle).
- Costo-abdominal respiration: involving both costal and abdominal muscles (e.g., horses).
(3) Rhythm: The interval between breaths; normal respiration is regular.
(4) Quality: Strength or weakness of respiration; normal respiration is shallow at rest and deep during exercise. Laboured respiration is abnormal.

Examination of mucous membranes provides information about overall animal health.
Normal mucous membrane characteristics: Moist, glistening, and pink colour, with no abnormal discharge or swelling.
Abnormal colours/conditions of mucous membranes:
- Pale mucous membrane: Possible anemia (caused by blood loss, parasites, or iron deficiency).
- Congested mucous membrane: Potential fever or other illness.
- Icteric mucous membrane: Suggests liver disease or blood parasites.
- Cyanosed mucous membrane: Potential toxicity.
- Petechial hemorrhage: Suggests infectious disease.

Horses: Working horses should have a glossy coat, with freely movable skin.
After exercise: Horses sweat, typically starting between the ears and on the flanks, with sweating being thin, watery, and small in quantity.
Cattle: Cattle coats should be well-maintained in summer. Their skin is movable over underlying muscles, however, unlike horses, they do not sweat as much.

Horses: Should have a good appetite; normal bowel movements approximately 8 times a day.
Cattle: Should feed effectively without leaving food in troughs or feed bunks. Rumination occurs regularly (6–8 hours or less) and depends on the feed quality.

Horse: Should stand firmly without lameness; usually stands on all four legs or rests on three legs at any given time. Horses also commonly rest lying down on their side (lateral recumbency).
Cows: Should stand easily and steadily, without restlessness. No deviation of the head or unusual stiffness in their movements would suggest issues. Their lying position typically involves the sternum touching the ground and hind legs underneath their body (sternal recumbency).