By Makeli Phiri
DESCRIPTION of the animal:
Species, breed, sex and age supplies sufficient information to enable the animal to be recognised at subsequent visits, or to enable the animal to be identified with accuracy at a later date and by some other person who may be carrying out an investigation.
In cattle, the animal may bear some form of ear marking, or skin branding, and it is essential to make a note of this for future reference.
The general preliminary examination may be carried out as one approaches the animal, or whilst it is being taken to a crush for closer examination, or whilst one is talking to the owner. You will observe its behaviour, general conformity and bodily condition.
Condition of skin and coat: Is it sleek, harsh, Staring: Is there baldness or sores or concusions; are ectoparasites visible; are lick marks present?
Body condition: Is it normal, thin, emaciated, fat, dropsically?
Gait: Is there lameness, stiffness, staggering or excitement? (If recumbent, the ease with which it stands when approached.)
Abnormal actions. Is there straining, does the animal cough, is there excess salivation or grinding of teeth, shivering, depraved appetite, yawning.
Following this the animal should be suitably restrained in a crush or by means of a halter so that closer systematic clinical examination may be carried out.
- Take the temperature. Grip the thermometer firmly between finger and thumb and shake mercury down to below the normal average temperature of the animal concerned.
Lubricate the bulb end of the thermometer by rolling it on the back of your hand between forefinger and thumb which has previously been moistened with saliva. Then insert thermometer through the anus, rolling it slightly whilst doing so, until about two-thirds of its length has been inserted into the rectum.
Press the exposed part of the thermometer gently to one side to ensure that the bulbous mercury end rests against the lining of the rectum, and hold it in this position for one minute.
It is important to remember that if the thermometer is not in contact with the rectal lining, you will not record the correct temperature.
The normal position of the tail will assist in keeping the thermometer in the correct position. On removal of the thermometer clean it on the brush of the tail or the caudal fold of skin, read the temperature and note it down.
Clean thermometer with cold water or spirit if this is available, and return the thermometer to its case and keep it in cool place.
The thermometer can also be used as a probe in the rectum to determine the consistency of the faeces and to note the colour of the faeces when removed from the rectum.
While standing behind the cow taking the temperature, the movement of the flanks should be noted to determine whether the respiratory rate is normal or otherwise.
If a female animal, one may also part the vulva with finger and thumb and notice the colour of the mucous membrane of the vagina.
- Move to the animals’ head and examine eyes, nose, mouth and ears.
EYES, bright, sunken, injured, colour of mucus membrane, any abnormal discharges of excessive lacrymation.
NOSE, any discharges, any abnormal colouration, any sores or wounds.
MOUTH, inspect dental pad, cheeks, tongue, and incisor teeth to determine the age of the animal. Note the colour of mucus membranes and presence of any lesion such as wounds or ulcers.
Is the tongue of normal consistency? Examination of the tongue can only be undertaken by grasping it with the hand and withdrawing it from mouth so that the body of the tongue can be examined.
EAR, checking for the presence of ticks.
GLANDS, is there any enlargement of lymphatic glands in the submaxillary region, neck, prescapular, precrural? Carry out a closer inspection for ticks on the body in general.
RESPIRATION, closer observation of type and frequency of respiration. Does the animal cough? Listen to respiratory sounds by placing ear on animal’s chest.
RUMINAL CONDITION, observe left flank region. Is it hollow or distended? Palpate flank region with firm and maintained pressure of clenched fist to determine frequency of ruminal contractions. (normal one to three per minute)
UDDER IN NATURE FEMALE, palpate each quarter as well as the region of supramammary lymphatic glands. If lactating, withdraw a strip of milk, from each quarter into a strip cup and to determine change in quality of milk, if any.
MALE ANIMAL, palpate scrotum and testicles for swelling or hardness. Observe any abnormal discharge from prepuse.
VULVA AND VAGINA IN FEMALE, if mucous membrane has been examined, notice its colour and determine if any abnormal discharges.
If urine has not been passed and no observation has been made of its colour and quantity, endeavour to make the animal urinate by massaging lower commissure of the vagina and stimulating the clitoris.
Certain materials collected from either live or from a dead animal are of great value on occasion in determining the cause of disease.
To make full use of diagnostic services, suitable materials should be collected using uncontaminated containers. Such material once taken for laboratory investigation would reveal the cause of disease.
Domesticated animals have different temperature readings. Temperatures are an aid to diagnosis. However, it should be noted that after vigorous exercises, or after standing for long time in the hot sun, or in very young animals, an increase in temperature is expected as normal. This is how problematic diagnosis of various ailments can be.
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