25 Be aware that some sick cattle will be suffering concurrent diseases such as footrot and IBR
and hence may present with a confusing clinical picture. Use timing of observations to advantage:
before feeding — detects uneaten feed during feeding — detects animals that are low on the pecking order or inappetent or
both post feeding — detects stock not resting and ruminating healthy stock would normally
rest and ruminate post deck washing — detects lameness and limb injures for the short period 15min
post deck washing, stock remain standing and legs are clean making it a good time to examine for lameness and injuries
– use a torch
4.2 Step 2. Make specific observations and measurements
Make the following specific observations and measurements: Respiratory rate and depth
Note number of breaths per minute, level of respiratory exertion normal, panting, gasping and whether breathing is with mouth open or closed
Changes in respiratory rate and depth are potential indicators of early bloat, pneumonia, pleurisy, heat stress
Respiration rate and panting score as shown in Table 4.1
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can be useful indicators of heat load in cattle
Table 4.1: Breathing condition and panting score for heat stress in cattle
Breathing condition Panting
score PS
Associated respiration
rates breathsmin
No panting – normal. Difficult to see chest movement
40 Slight panting, mouth closed, no drool or foam. Easy to see chest
movement 1
40-70 Fast panting, drool or foam present. No open mouth panting
2 70-120
As for 2 but with occasional open mouth, tongue not extended 2.5
70-120 Open mouth + some drooling. Neck extended and head usually up
3 120-160
As for 3 but with tongue out slightly, occasionally fully extended for short periods + excessive drooling
3.5 120-160
Open mouth with tongue fully extended for prolonged periods + excessive drooling. Neck extended and head up
4 160
As for 4 but head held down. Cattle ‘breathe’ from flank. Drooling may cease
4.5 Variable - RR may
decrease
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Adapted from: Recognising excessive heat load in feedlot cattle. tips tools, Feedlots. Meat and Livestock Australia. Source: www.mla.com.auTipsToolsRecognisingexcessiveheatloadinfeedlotcattlereprintOct2006.pdf
26 Faeces
Note consistency i.e. firm, dry, soft, sloppy, watery, smell i.e. sweet, putrid, colour i.e. black, grey, green and contents i.e. grain, blood, mucus, fibrin.
Changes in consistency and contents are potential indicators of under-eating, overeating, indigestion, infection salmonella, coccidiosis
Urine Note colour of urine i.e. clear, yellow, orange, brown, port wine
Changes in colour are potential indicators of dehydration, fever, muscle damage, tick fever
Feed consumption Feed consumption can be assessed by examining amount of feed remaining in troughs.
Routine observations can detect pens but not individual cattle that are not eating. Average feed consumption for the whole ship is a general indicator of stock comfort but
can be overestimated if feed troughs are emptied and cleaned before replenishment. Individual deck or group consumption rates may be able to be calculated.
Note cud chewing, ruminations and nose licking. Healthy, well-fed cattle chew their cud, lick their noses and have strong, regular rumen contractions detectable by observing
their left flank. Sick or str essed cattle don’t chew their cud, have weak, infrequent rumen
contractions or none at all and dirty noses. Water consumption
Water consumption is usually only able to be calculated from the ships gross water consumption divided by the number of head on board. The figure is a guide but can be
an overestimate if water troughs are emptied and cleaned before replenishing. Individual deck or group consumption rates are usually not able to be calculated.
Changes in water consumption are potential indicators of heat or cold stress.
4.3 Step 3. Categorisation of sick cattle into syndrome, and suspected disease or condition
