| GENERAL
HEALTH |
|
|
TEMPERATURE
100.4 - 102.8 F
Cattle with a
rectal temperature of 104°F or greater should be considered
ill.
Regardless of
body temperature designate, as sick, all visibly ill cattle.
Visible signs of illness include excessive nasal discharge, laboured
breathing, harsh coughing, moderate to severe depression, or bloody
diarrhea.
|
|
|
PULSE
60-70
The pulse is detected by palpating the middle coccygeal artery on
the underside of the tail about 6 inches down from the tail head. |
|
|
RESPIRATION
18-20
Increased rate of respiration with fever and coughing is often and
indication of pneumonia. Without fever may indicate anemia, impaired
lung function or circulatory collapse. |
|
COW'S STOMACH |
|
|
Divided into
4 compartments
Rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum.
Rate of rumen
contraction normally occurs 2-4 times a minute. By pushing firmly
on the left flank you can feel this movement when it occurs. Contractions
will be slower than normal or absent with some types of indigestion.
Contractions will be faster in an animal with or about to have diarrhea.
|
| |
| UDDER |
| |
| MEDICINE
CHEST
|
|
5 inch ring top
rectal thermometer |
|
| TIPS |
| |
Ring bulls
at 8 to 12 months |
| |
Bull
staff
- 4 foot long steel pole which attaches to nose ring for leading a
bull |
| |
Tie a bull
up with a halter and a lead through the ring - never tie a bull
by the ring only.
|
| |
Give the
cud from a healthy cow to one that is off feed. When a cow is
chewing, open her mouth and remove her cud. Put the cud in the mouth
of the cow that has been off feed. The cud contains normal rumen microorganisms
and will frequently restore digestive function and improve appetite. |
| |
Lay a calf
down stand along side, bend directly over it's back, grasp the
rear and fore legs nearest your legs. This tips the calf toward you
and allows it to slide against your legs to the ground. Use your knee
to hold it down |
| |
Avoid
disappearing thermometer, attach a string to the ring and a spring
clothes pin to the free end of the string and clip it to the tail
fold. |
| |
Prevent
a kick take a piece of baler twine or rope - place it around the
cow - across the back, in front of the udder and tied together snuggly
near the tailhead, behind the hip bones, so it completely encompasses
the cow. If a rope is not available merely use your hand and hook
it under the skin at the top of where the rear leg meets the belly
and lift. A good kick is halted at 2 to 3 inches off the ground. |
| |
A calf is
approximately 70 percent water at birth. |
| |
HEALTH