A. Seven Questions For A Healthy Animal

1. Does The Animal React Normally To Its Environment And In The Herd Or Is It Acting Strangely? (Behavior)

2. Does It Carry Its Head, Ears, Body And Tail As Usual? Does It Walk Normally? (Attitude)

3. Is The Animal In Good Condition And Is It Well Muscled, Neither Too Thin Or Too Fat? (Condition)

4. Does It Eat, Drink And Ruminate Properly?

5. Does It Urinate And Defaecate Normally?

6. If A Cow Is In Milk, Is There A Sudden Drop In Milk Production?

7. Any Other Abnormal Signs?

B. Observing Basic Health Parameters

Breathing Frequency :

· (Breathing In + Breathing Out) Is 10-30 Times Per Minute In Normal Adults And 30-50 Times Per Minute In Calves. Observed Best From The Animal’s Right Flank, Seen From Behind.

Rumination :

· Not Less Than 40 Times Per Minute And 7-10 Hours Per Day.

Rumen Movement :

· Two To Three Per Minute, Can Be Felt By Pressing Lightly On The Upper Part Of The Left Flank.

Appearance :

· A Healthy Animal Has A Shining, Smooth And Even Coat As Well As Shiny Horns And Hoofs. Eyes Should Also Be Normal Without Discharge Or Tears And Muzzle Moist.

Fever :

· Usually Accompanied By Rapid Breathing, Shivering And Occasionally Diarrhoea. Ears, Horns And Legs Are Usually Cold To Touch While Body Is Too Warm.

C. Body Scoring

· Body Scoring Is Very Important In Assessing The Health Status Of An Animal.

· A Low Score May Indicate Diseases Or Improper Feeding While A High Score May Indicate A High Probability Of Breeding And Metabolic Problems.

Body Score-1

· Extremely Thin. No Fat In Brisket Or Tail Docks.

· All Skeletal Structures Are Visible.

· Dull Hair

· May Be Diseased And Survival During Stress Is Doubtful

Body Score-2

· Thin. Vertebrae, Hips And Pin Bone Prominent.

· Some Tissue Cover Around Tail Dock, Hip Bones And The Flank.

· Muscle Tissue Evident But Not Abundant, Health May Be Ok.

Body Score-3

· Ribcage Only Slightly Visible.

· Fat Deposit Behind Shoulder Obvious, Ideal Condition For Calving.

· Fat Deposit In Brisket Area.

· Hook And Pin Bone Visible, But Not Prominent.

Body Score-4

· Skeletal Structure Difficult To Identify.

· Obvious Fat Deposits Behind Shoulder And Tail Head.

· Flat Appearance To The Top Line.

· Folds Of Fat Starting To Develop Over Ribs And Thighs.

Body Score-5

· Animal Is Obese, Flat Appearance Dominates.

· Brisket Is Heavy And Bone Structure Not Noticeable.

· Tail Head And Hip Bones Completely Buried In Folds Of Fat.

· Back Is Flat And Completely Covered By Fat.

· Mobility Impaired By Large Fat Deposits.