Vital Signs Body Checks

Agricultural Applications An animal’s vital signs include: An animal’s vital signs include: –Body temperature, –Pulse rate, and –Respiration rate In addition to these 3 vital signs of animal health, the following animal behaviors and symptoms must be carefully monitored by producer: In addition to these 3 vital signs of animal health, the following animal behaviors and symptoms must be carefully monitored by producer: –Eating behavior, –Movement, –Stance and posture, –Proximity of other animals, –Animal sounds, –Special conditions (heat, parturition, etc), and –Fecal pattern and consistency.

Key Terms Animal health Animal health Arteries Arteries Blood circulation Blood circulation Blood pressure Blood pressure Body temperature Body temperature Capillaries Capillaries Capillary refill time CRT Capillary refill time CRT Comfort zone Comfort zone Electrolytes Electrolytes Heart rate Heart rate Hypothalamus Hypothalamus Pulse Pulse Respiration Respiration Shock Shock Stethoscope Stethoscope Sweat glands Sweat glands Toxemias Toxemias Trauma Trauma Vital signs Vital signs

Questions for Investigation 1. What vital signs are indictors of an animal’s general status or condition? 2. How does an animal regulate its body temperature? 3. How do environmental factors affect vital signs? 4. How are heart rate and pulse rate related?