Monitoring Ill Health

• what part of your hand should you use to determine an animal is underweight (BCS)


  knuckles (closed fist)
• what part of your hand should you use to determine an animal is ideal weight (BCS)


  knuckels (open hand)
• what part of your hand should you use to determine if an animal is overweight (BCS)


  the top of your palm (open hand)
• what part of your hand should you use to determine an animal is obese (BCS)


  the lower palm, just below the thumb (open hand)
• what should we record in a health check chart?

  1. change in behaviour/temperament
  2. weight loss or gain
  3. lethargy/fatigue
  4. decreased appetite
  5. dehydration
  6. increased drinking
  7. swelling
  8. discharge
  9. pain on movement
  10. age
  11. previous health records
  12. the animal's norma weight
• what would we monitor if we had an ill animal?

  1. the animal's temperature
  2. intake of food and water
  3. behaviour
  4. urine and faecal output
  5. pulse
  6. respiration
  7. weight
  8. movement/gait
  9. outcome of treatment
• how do we treat animal's with poor health?

  1. isolate the animal
  2. create a stress free environment
  3. keep the environment warm, quiet and comfortable
  4. use good hygeine procedures
  5. use prescribed medication
  6. use strict monitorng procedures
• following treatment, what should we record?

  1. treatment protocol
  2. products being used
  3. dose rates
  4. outcome of treatment
  5. staff administration