This article discusses the general signs exhibited by healthy animals, signs of ill health or disease, and general measures for disease prevention in a farm. These measures are similar for most livestock, so they will be covered in one article.
Health is commonly defined as freedom from disease, and disease can be defined as any disturbance of the normal body processes that affects an animal adversely.
Such disturbances can be caused by physical injuries, bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, poisons, dietetic errors, metabolic disturbances, or hereditary defects. Every effort must be made to support health and prevent diseases.
Signs of Good Health
There are several clinical signs that an animal attendant can observe to assess the health status of the herd. A healthy animal is one whose body processes function properly, allowing it to live actively, grow steadily, reproduce, and reach the maximum production level of which it is genetically capable.
1. Interest in Surroundings: A healthy animal shows interest in its surroundings and is always ready to take flight if disturbed by anything.
2. Good Appetite: Healthy animals have good appetites. On pasture, they actively seek food, and in the barn, they quickly consume the food provided. Ruminants chew the cud normally. The first sign of illness is often a refusal to eat.
3. Animal Posture and Appearance: A healthy animal carries its head high and remains alert. A dejected appearance is an indication that something may be wrong.
4. Absence of Discharge: Healthy animals have no discharge. Their eyes are dry and clear, with no nasal discharge or swollen, running eyes.
5. Maintenance of Weight: Healthy adult animals should maintain their weight, while young animals should increase their body weight. Any obvious loss of body weight may indicate illness.
6. Normal Breathing: Breathing should not be too rapid, erratic, or noisy. Continuous or intermittent coughing indicates irritation in the respiratory tract.
8. Normal Faecal Appearance: The appearance of faeces indicates the state of the digestive tract. Constipation and diarrhea are signs of digestive disorders. The urine of a healthy animal is pale straw-colored with a distinct odor.
9. Stable Body Temperature: The internal body temperature of healthy animals remains fairly constant, with normal levels varying by species. For sheep, goats, and cows, temperatures range between 38.5°C and 39°C. However, exertion in hot weather or fear may cause a temporary rise in temperature, but disease is the principal cause of a sustained increase in temperature.
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Signs of Ill Health
In contrast to the signs of good health, sick animals or those incubating a disease display systemic or local signs that must be carefully observed.
1. Listlessness: A sick animal lags behind the flock, remains isolated, moves little, and keeps its head down.
2. Lack of Appetite: A sick animal shows no interest in food.
3. High Temperature: A temperature above 39.5°C should be considered indicative of disease, likely an infectious one.
4. Congestion of Mucosa Around the Eyes: This congestion is often accompanied by weeping. In the case of anemia, the mucosa may appear pale, white, or yellowish.
5. Running Nostrils: This is usually accompanied by a discharge of purulent, blood-stained liquid. Nasal discharge is often associated with coughing.
6. Diarrhea: Diarrhea can easily be detected as the animal’s hindquarters and tail are dirty. The left flank may appear swollen.
7. Swollen Left Flank: A swollen left flank, rather than a hollow one, may be an indication of illness.
8. Abnormal Appearance of Feet, Udder, Testicles, and Sheath: Abnormalities in the appearance of feet, udder, testicles, or sheath are usually manifested by heat, redness, or pain upon palpation.
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General Measures for Disease Prevention
Disease prevention methods vary according to the specific causal agent and, in some cases, the species of animal. However, several general measures can be applied.
1. Quarantine: All newly purchased animals should be isolated and kept under observation for a period of 10 days. During this time, any sign of ill health should be treated appropriately before introducing the animal to the herd.
This prevents the introduction of disease from external sources. While in isolation, the animal should be dewormed, deticked, and administered a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
2. Vaccination: Animals should be vaccinated at the right time and age against preventable diseases.
3. Avoid Overcrowding: Animals should not be overcrowded in pens or barns. Overcrowding facilitates the spread of diseases, particularly contagious ones caused by parasites and fungi.
4. Separate Sick Animals from Healthy Ones: Any animal showing signs of illness should be separated from healthy animals and treated in isolation. This prevents the spread of disease to others. Once the animal has fully recovered, it can be reintroduced to the herd.
Young animals should be housed separately. Adult animals may carry infectious agents to which they have developed resistance but can still transmit to susceptible young animals.
5. Keep Toxic Materials Away: Certain chemical compounds and plants are poisonous and may cause disorders if ingested. These should not be allowed to contaminate food or water sources. Animals grazing on good pasture usually avoid poisonous plants.
6. Avoid Undernutrition: Undernutrition is a major issue in farms, particularly for animals entirely dependent on poor-quality pasture or those in confinement without proper feeding. It lowers an animal’s resistance to disease and can cause health problems on its own.
7. Regular Dipping and Spraying: Animals should be dipped or sprayed regularly against external parasites such as ticks and fleas, especially during the rainy season. External parasites cause irritation and, if left unchecked, can decrease productivity by transmitting diseases.
8. Regular Deworming: Animals should be dewormed with broad-spectrum anthelmintics once a month during the rainy season and less frequently during the dry season.
In livestock production, much depends on the knowledge and actions of the husbandry staff to care for animals and prevent or minimize disease incidence on the farm. A solid understanding of disease prevention measures and the ability to recognize signs of ill health can significantly improve productivity on the farm.
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