Indicators of Animal Health

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Alisha Melton
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Need to Do: Indicators of Animal Health Actual observation of an animal and its behaviour is an important aspect of animal care. An animal s behaviour can be compared to our body language.

1 Need to Do: Indicators of Animal Health Actual observation of an animal and its behaviour is an important aspect of animal care. An animal s behaviour can be compared to our body language. It communicates whether the animal is experiencing discomfort or if its needs are not being met. A physical examination of an animal can help to determine its state of health, as well as any abnormal behaviour. A physical examination should involve the use of all your senses seeing, smelling, listening, touching and sometimes tasting. Do you know that normal behaviour can be determined by observing the habits of a healthy animal? Once you determine what normal behaviour means for your animal, abnormal behaviour is easier to identify. All of the questions and tasks that follow ask you to apply observation skills. Use the Need to Know resources and Weblinks found on the Virtual Apprentice 2020 website at va2020 for additional information. Signs of Normal and Abnormal Health Use a T-Chart, labeled with the headings below, to create a description of signs you would expect to see in a normal animal and in an animal that is showing abnormal signs. A blank T-Chart template is provided on the Virtual Apprentice 2020 website. Your description can be created in point form, paragraph form or with labelled drawings, sketches or photographs. Include the T-Chart in your portfolio. Signs of Normal Health Signs of Abnormal Health Photograph courtesy of Reg & Marcia Johnston 1

2 OR Apply Your Experience Option Practise your observation skills. Write a description of your animal, noting its physical characteristics and appearance. Alternatively, create a simple sketch or take a photograph of your animal, labelling its characteristics. Then, plan to observe your animal for 30 minutes. Start by identifying the conditions under which you are completing your observation: Time of day Place observed Weather conditions. Record your animal s behaviours in a Triple T-Chart, labeled with the three conditions or behaviours you choose to observe. An example is provided below. A blank Triple T-Chart template is provided on the Virtual Apprentice 2020 website. Your observation of the animal should address at least three of the following: Physical conditions (condition and smell of hair coat and skin) Sleeping habits (time of day, time spent standing or lying) Attitude Posture (movement or weight shifting from one foot or side) Eating and drinking habits (time of day, amounts, time spent eating and drinking water). Physical Conditions Sleeping Habits Eating and Drinking Habits Write a summary response to the questions below. Include the Triple T-Chart and your summary response in your portfolio. Do you think your animal exhibited normal behaviour? How do you know? Did you notice any abnormalities? What might these abnormalities indicate? 2 Alberta SPCA 2012 albertaspca.org Permission granted to duplicate for classroom use

Body Condition Scoring Explore the body scoring sources on the Virtual Apprentice 2020 website at www.ctsanimals.ca/ va2020 to find out how an animal s body condition is scored.

3 Body Condition Scoring Explore the body scoring sources on the Virtual Apprentice 2020 website at va2020 to find out how an animal s body condition is scored. Use the Image Bank photographs of your animal, found under the Animal Health & Welfare guiding concept. Score each animal in the photographs by listing the conditions you see and assigning a body score number. Photo 1 Photo 2 OR Apply Your Experience Option Take a series of photographs of your animal and, using each photograph, explain how you would score its body condition. Photograph courtesy of Jamie Perchaluk 3

4 Vital Signs It is important to monitor vital signs, which indicate body functions and provide a window into the health of the animal. Vital signs include body temperature, heart rate (pulse) and breathing rate, or respiration. Regular monitoring of an animal s vital signs can help give an indication of what is normal for that animal. Have you completed a basic observation of your animal? Why is it important to monitor more than one vital sign on an animal? Regular examination of body appearance, teeth, feet, nails or hooves is also an important aspect of animal care. In order to know what to look for, an animal owner should have a basic understanding of the animal s anatomy and physiology. Use a Triple T-Chart, labeled with the headings and characteristics below, to set up a guideline chart for monitoring your animal. Use two charts, or create your own if you need additional space. A blank Triple T-Chart template is provided on the Virtual Apprentice 2020 website. For each characteristic listed in the chart, provide an example of what would be considered healthy and what could signal a common illness or disease. Include the Triple T-Chart in your portfolio. Health Signs of Illness or Disease Weight Pulse Temperature Respiration Skin or hair coat Mucous membranes Body waste and discharges Teeth Feet, nails and/or hooves Eyes 4

5 OR Apply Your Experience Option Complete a four-day monitoring schedule with your animal, tracking your observations in a Triple T-Chart with the headings and labels below. Use two charts, or create your own, to track all four days. A blank Triple T-Chart template is provided on the Virtual Apprentice 2020 website. When you ve completed your monitoring schedule, review your observations and create a list of any differences you observed from day to day. Weight Pulse Temperature Respiration Skin or hair coat Mucous membranes Body waste and discharges Teeth Feet, nails and/or hooves Eyes Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 What conclusions can you draw from your observations? How do you know these conclusions are valid? Include your Triple T-Charts and your conclusions in your portfolio. 5

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{A number of conditions Need to Know How to adjust sheep feed requirements Things you need to know about livestock production practices. LINK The information on this Need to Know card is from Virtual Apprentice 2040: Livestock1.