Stages of medical examination of animals. The act of providing medical examination of the herd of animals of the Matrix LLC farm
1. Introduction.
Medical examination is the basis for the prevention of non-communicable diseases.
Ecological foundations of medical examination.
Scope and timing of dispensary examination of farm animals.
1 Analysis of production indicators for livestock farming and veterinary medicine (herd syndromatics).
Analysis of feeding and housing conditions for animals.
1 Feeding analysis.
Clinical Animal Study
1 Laboratory analysis of blood, urine, milk, rumen contents
2 Blood test
3 Examination of urine, milk and rumen contents
.Introduction Diseases of the digestive organs occupy first place in the frequency of cases among all internal diseases of animals. The incidence rate is more than 45%. They cause great economic damage to farms and consist of animal mortality, decreased productivity, loss of live weight and failure to obtain additional offspring. Among diseases of the digestive system, a special place is occupied by diseases that arise as a result of various violations in the feeding, maintenance and exploitation of animals. These include incorrectly formulated diets, poor preparation, rapid transitions from one feed to another, irregular feeding and overfeeding, the use of feed that has been spoiled and contaminated with sand and foreign objects. Functional and organic disorders in the digestive organs can occur under the influence of very low and high temperatures, or their sudden change, or a drop in atmospheric pressure. The causes of diseases of the digestive system are often poisoning with plant and mineral poisons, as well as mycotoxicosis. Pathology of the digestive organs occurs in diseases of the heart, kidneys, and other organs, as well as in many infectious diseases. In the prevention of diseases of the digestive system, proper feeding and proper use of animals are of primary importance. The diet for each type of animal must be prepared in such a way that it includes succulent feed (silage, haylage, root crops), roughage (hay, straw) and concentrates, as well as table salt, mineral and vitamin supplements. It is necessary to prepare feed strictly within the agrotechnical terms. Considering that disruption of the nervous regulation of the function of the digestive system plays a large role in the etiology of gastrointestinal diseases, it is important to follow the daily routine accepted on farms. Strictly regulated feeding times, walks, rest and care for animals create conditioned reflex reactions in them that ensure maximum absorption of food. It is necessary to change the composition of feed in the diet, switch from pasture to stall housing or vice versa gradually. Shepherds, livestock keepers and operators must know the rules for grazing animals, feeding succulent, easily fermentable and other feeds. In the prevention of gastrointestinal and other diseases, providing animals with vitamins and minerals is of great importance. Their deficiency leads to metabolic disorders, perverted appetite, and severe disorders in the body. In confinement conditions, animals must be provided with sufficient water at all times. On pasture, animals should be provided with water before feeding or an hour after it. The approach to natural bodies of water must be equipped so that animals drink undisturbed water. Active movements of animals - systematic exercise lasting up to 3-4 hours a day contributes to normal digestion, especially when kept in stalls all year round. Clinical examination is the basis for the prevention of non-communicable diseases Livestock farming is in a very difficult situation due to the difficult economic condition of most livestock farms. The shortage of medications and biological drugs also worsens the veterinary well-being of livestock farming. In these conditions, a planned comprehensive examination of all types of livestock, as in public ones, acquires enormous importance. and in the personal property of citizens. This form of veterinary service involves the inclusion of agronomic, zootechnical and other services in the work on the prevention of animal diseases, through participation in the creation of a biologically complete feed base that meets the metabolic characteristics and the level of high productivity of animals. It should be borne in mind that dispensary examination should organically fit into the technological process of each branch of animal husbandry. Ecological foundations of medical examination According to E. Haeckel's definition, ecology is the science of the relationship between an animal and its environment. The most important environmental factors in this regard are the gas composition of the air in livestock buildings, temperature, humidity, geochemical factors (macro- and microelements) and others. Changes in any of them can cause a decrease in productivity, reproductive ability and natural resistance in all animal species, which is manifested by different clinical symptoms depending on the nature of the environmental factor. For example, when there is a lack or excess of calcium or phosphorus in the diet, animals develop osteodystrophy, and when there is an excess of ammonia in the indoor air, bronchitis develops. For those conducting medical examinations, an individual animal is of interest not only as an individual, but mainly as a component of a certain population. The latter is understood as a biological system at the supraorganismal level, which is a collection of animals of the same species that have a common genetic background and occupy a certain territory. An animal population is characterized by a population and age structure, reflecting the age and sex composition, as well as an ethological structure that determines the behavioral reactions of the animals that make up the population. Illustrative forms of populations are a herd of cattle, a flock of sheep, a herd of horses and others. An animal population is an integral component of biogeocenosis, which in a narrow concept can be understood as a natural complex with which livestock farming is associated. Biocenoses are divided into natural and anthropogenic. Natural ones are biogeocenoses that were formed in the process of long evolution, and anthropogenic ones arose as a result of human economic activity, which changed the structure, physical state, chemical composition of soil, water, air, and polluted them with natural, synthetic and radioactive materials. Changes that occur in biogeocenoses have a direct impact on the condition of animals. In some cases, this is an increase in productivity and resistance to diseases, in others, on the contrary, a decrease in resistance, the emergence of infectious, invasive and non-infectious pathologies. The emergence of the latter, as a result of unfavorable changes in biogeocenoses, is called biogeocenotic pathology, which considers animal diseases in an integral connection with changes in the ecological situation. A clear example of biogeocenotic pathology are nitrate-nitrite toxicoses, pathologies caused by the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, endemic diseases, which are considered as a result of unfavorable changes in the geochemical situation in agricultural ecosystems. Therefore, when studying mass diseases of farm animals, an ecological-systemic approach is necessary, including a survey of biogeocenosis, as well as the study of the disease at the organismal, organ, tissue, cellular and molecular levels. In the biogeocenotic diagnosis of animal diseases, work is carried out in the following sequence: Assessment of animals, their organs, tissues, cells, subcellular structures. Assessment of populations (herds). Assessment of biogeocenoses (ecological systems). At the first stage of biocenotic diagnostics, the place and time of occurrence of the disease and the features of its manifestation are determined. Evaluate the results of pathological studies, determine the conditions of feeding, keeping and exploitation of animals. At the second stage, the population is assessed (supraorganismal level). To do this, they use the methods of population ecology and ethology (ethology is the science of the biological foundations of animal behavior). For this purpose, the herd is assessed by age, sex, and intrapopulation relationships. The latter is due to the fact that there are diseases characteristic of a certain age. When assessing a population, its reproductive functions are analyzed based on the ratio of fertility and mortality, as well as the population’s response to stress, meaning a decrease in productivity, disease, mortality, etc. At the last stage of research, an analysis of the biogeocenosis is carried out. The industries related to livestock farming are assessed, and the biotic cycle of micro- and macroelements and the role of soil, water, air, and organisms in it are also studied. All this makes it possible to make a biogeo-coenotic diagnosis. For example, the wrong technology for applying nitrogen fertilizers can lead to nitrate-nitrite toxicoses, and the unfavorable geochemical composition of soils, water, and feed leads to diseases of livestock with micro- and macroelementoses. Biogeocenotic diagnostics is the basis of clinical examination, since the assessment of the organism is carried out at the subcellular, cellular, organ and organismal level, as well as taking into account the state of populations, population groups and biogeocenoses. Scope and timing of dispensary examination of farm animals medical examination agricultural animal feeding For most species of farm animals, the timing and methodology for medical examination have some peculiarities. However, it mainly includes an analysis of production indicators in livestock farming and veterinary medicine, an analysis of the living conditions of animals, an assessment of the quality of feed and an analysis of animal feeding, their clinical examination, and laboratory analysis of blood, urine and milk. In livestock farms, medical examinations should be carried out quarterly, but at least twice a year: before stalling and before pasture. 1 Analysis of production indicators for livestock farming and veterinary medicine (herd syndromatics) Analysis of production indicators in animal husbandry and veterinary medicine allows us to establish the level of metabolism within the population, while production indicators such as quantity and quality of products, their cost will determine the intensity of metabolic processes and the state of resistance on average for all animals in the population. The analysis of these indicators should be carried out in dynamics over a number of recent years. It gives an idea of the general condition of a population or population group, the most likely causes of metabolic disorders and other animal diseases. However, they must be taken into account in a comprehensive manner, since only a set of indicators can give a complete picture of the status of a herd or farm; in addition, the indicators of one or more animals in a given population may overlap with the indicators of most other animals and thus do not reflect the true position of the herd. Analysis of production indicators on farms and dairy production complexes includes: milk productivity analysis, feed costs per unit of production, incidence of livestock with non-communicable and contagious diseases, calf yield per 100 cows, live weight of newborns, stillbirth rate death of calves for the first days of life and their forced slaughter, degree of cow culling, duration of the service period. In fattening cattle breeding farms, they take into account the duration of the herd assembly on the farm, its distance from the supplying farms, the welfare of infectious diseases and the live weight of incoming calves, the average daily increase in live weight, the safety of young animals, the average weight of livestock sold, and the duration of the technological cycle. When analyzing production indicators in pig farms, the cost of live weight gain, the number of piglets produced from one sow and their average live weight at birth and weaning, the duration of the suckling period and the number of farrows per year are taken into account. Based on the level of these indicators, populations are divided into healthy, premorbid and sick. Analysis of feeding and housing conditions for animals 1 Feeding analysis When analyzing the influence of animal feeding on the level of metabolic processes and the state of natural resistance of the herd, the degree of satisfaction of the need for basic nutrients, biologically active substances in the diet, and the level of animal needs are determined. In addition, the level and type of feeding, as well as the structure of the diet, are determined. The level of feeding is established by comparing the nutritional value of the diet with the norms accepted for a given type of livestock. The type of feeding is determined by finding the percentage of different types of feed in terms of nutritional value in the total amount of feed fed per year, and the structure of the diet - by calculating the percentage of each feed in the total number of feed units. When analyzing the energy nutritional value of feed, it is necessary to take into account that in some feeding standards it is expressed in megojoules (MJ) of metabolic energy, in others the calorie content of diets is rationed in oat feed units. Energy nutritional value is an indicator of feeding intensity. The volume and palatability of the diet is determined by the presence of dry matter in it. The productivity of an animal is directly proportional to the concentration of energy, nutrients and biologically active substances in 1 kg of dry matter On average, per 100 kg of live weight, animals consume the following amount of dry matter (kg): cattle - 2.5-3.5; horses - 2.5; sows and boars - 2.0-3.0; young animals for fattening - up to 4.0; sheep - 3.0-4.0. When analyzing the protein nutritional value of a diet for pigs, one should take into account its biological usefulness, which depends on the content of essential amino acids (lysine, methionine, tryptophan) in the protein. It is necessary to know that cystine can compensate for 40 - 50% of the need for methionine, therefore the total amount of methionine and cystine should be normalized. The normal content of lysine in crude protein of diets for pigs is 4.24.8%, and methionine with cystine is 2.5-3.2%. The protein nutritional value of diets depends not only on the protein supply of the latter, but also on the technology of canning and feeding feed. When assessing the carbohydrate nutritional value of diets, it should be taken into account that their excess inhibits the activity of rumen microfauna, the digestibility of feed deteriorates, and the development of acidosis is possible. At the same time, their deficiency leads to disruption of protein-fat metabolism and the development of ketosis. The lipid nutritional value of the diet is of great importance in the life of the body. Fat in diets is not only a source of energy and the formation of fatty tissue, but also plays a critical role in the transport and normal absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. It contains essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic, arachidonic), which are not synthesized in the body. With their deficiency, the body's natural resistance decreases. Therefore, when analyzing feeding during clinical examinations, it should be taken into account that with an excess of feed fat in the diets, syndromes of hyperfunction of the thyroid gland, kidney and liver disorders, and impaired reproductive function may appear in animals of the examined population. At the same time, the lack of feed fat causes the development of enterocolitis in animals, due to the development of hypovitaminosis A and a decrease in the activity of digestive enzymes. In the process of analyzing animal feeding rations, the closest attention is paid to the content of macro- and microelements in it, and cause-and-effect relationships are found between the pathologies present in the population and the composition of the diet. It is taken into account that such common diseases as osteodystrophy, nutritional anemia of young animals, parakeratosis of pigs, endemic goiter, pasture tetany, acobaltosis, etc. are consequences of a violation of the mineral nutrition of animals. The need of dairy cows for minerals depends on productivity. Thus, the need for table salt per 1 feed unit for dairy cows, depending on productivity, is from 6.5 to 7.4 g, calcium - from 6.5 to 7.4 g, phosphorus - from 4.5 to 5 .3 g, magnesium - from 1.5 to 2.4 g, potassium from 6.7 to 8.1 g, sulfur - from 2.1 to 2.8 g, iron - 80 mg, copper - 8-11 mg , zinc - 55-70 mg, cobalt - 0.7-1 mg, manganese 55-70 mg, iodine - 0.7-1 mg. If there is a deficiency of certain minerals, appropriate mineral supplements are included in the diet. However, their antagonistic and synergistic relationships should be taken into account. In particular, calcium and phosphorus act oppositely on the parathyroid gland, which is one of the main regulators of calcium-phosphorus metabolism. Therefore, an excess of one of them leads to the development of a corresponding form of osteodystrophy; in addition, an excess of calcium or phosphorus can lead to hypomagnesemia. Excess potassium in feed promotes the excretion of magnesium from the body, while magnesium in excess in feed impairs the absorption of potassium. Excess sodium also affects the absorption of potassium, and an increase in copper content disrupts iron metabolism. Excess zinc and lead in the diet makes it difficult for the body to accumulate calcium and phosphorus. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that there are elements of synergy. For example, a high level of zinc in the body leads to an increase in lead in the blood and thereby to a more severe manifestation of lead toxicosis. The body's absorption of potassium, sodium, and zinc is activated under the influence of increased iron content in the diet. When analyzing the mineral nutrition of animals, it should be borne in mind that some plants (cabbage, rapeseed, rapeseed, some types of clover) contain certain substances that inhibit the inclusion of iodine in the synthesis of thyroxine. In addition to the above-described criteria for assessing the usefulness of feeding, to characterize the latter, data such as feed costs per unit of production, live weight, and milk fat content for the analyzed period in comparison with previous years are also taken into account. In the process of medical examination, great importance should be given to the analysis of the conditions of keeping animals, since violation of the latter entails the occurrence of a number of pathologies, including the respiratory system, digestion, and metabolism. In the process of work, the zoohygienic condition of farms, ventilation, sewerage, manure removal, as well as the technology of keeping animals, feed distribution, temperature, humidity and gas composition of the air on livestock farms are assessed and a zoohygienic passport of the premises is compiled. Along with the temperature, humidity and gas composition of the air in livestock buildings, attention is paid, especially in calf barns, to the quality of bedding material, since its failure to meet the requirements is the cause of non-contagious, infectious and invasive diseases. In the process of analyzing living conditions, they provide a hygienic assessment of the ventilation and heating installations of livestock premises, and carry out sanitary and hygienic control over the sources of water supply and watering for animals. It should be taken into account that with a lack of air exchange, improper distribution of supply air, as well as with aerodynamic resistance created by internal engineering equipment, aerostasis (air stagnation) occurs in the animal room. In aerostatic air, the temperature is 580 above normal, humidity is close to complete saturation, mobility is less than 0.1 m/sec, the concentration of ammonia and carbon dioxide is 2-5 times higher than normal, microbial contamination is 3-10 times higher than normal, which is the reason animal diseases (G.A. Sokolov). Clinical Animal Study The diagnostic stage of medical examination includes a clinical examination or clinical examination of animals. A clinical examination involves determining the general condition of the animal, some indicators of the functioning of the respiratory (respiratory movements, nature of nasal discharge, cough), and digestive systems (appetite, food intake). Depending on the type and age of the animals, certain adjustments may be made to this scheme. During a clinical examination, a more complete examination of the animal's body systems is carried out. However, not all animals are studied, but certain control groups, which are formed depending on age and physiological state, since clinical and biochemical parameters depend on productivity, gestational age and age. The nature of the medical examination, as well as the clinical examination of different types of animals, has certain characteristics. Note: Local temperature for newborn piglets in the 1st week is -28-30°C, 2nd week -26-28°C, 3rd week - 24-26°C, 4th week - 22-24°C. During clinical examination of dairy cows and heifers, 4 control groups are formed: ) cows in the first three periods of lactation; ) cows 6-7 months of lactation; ) dry animals; ) heifers 2-3 months before calving. On large farms, a full clinical examination of 10-20% of the cows and heifers is carried out. During the clinical study, along with a general examination, the nature and quality of the pulse, heart sounds, respiratory sounds, frequency of rumen contractions, condition of the teeth, mesh, and liver are determined. Particular attention is paid to the symptoms of metabolic disorders. In the clinical diagnosis of mineral metabolism disorders, attention is paid to the nature of movement and the condition of the musculoskeletal system and joints (frequent stepping of limbs, tense gait, lying down, difficulty in standing up, soreness of the bones, condition of the last caudal vertebrae, transverse costal processes, horny processes). If protein metabolism is disrupted, due to excess protein in the diet, clinical examination reveals obesity, tachycardia, muffled heart sounds, increased breathing, enlarged liver boundaries, arthrosis, and decreased reproductive function. Lack of protein is accompanied by a decrease in body weight, weakening of heart sounds, hypotension of the gastrointestinal tract, and low natural resistance. Clinically, carbohydrate metabolism disorders are manifested by hypoglycemia in newborn piglets, ketosis, obesity, exhaustion, and diabetes. 1 Laboratory analysis of blood, urine, milk, rumen contents Clinical examination of animals is accompanied by the collection of blood, urine and milk for laboratory testing, which allows one to get an objective idea of the level and state of metabolism, carry out early diagnosis of various diseases, and monitor the activity of various organs and systems. 2 Blood test Before taking blood, a clinical examination of animals is carried out. Blood is taken from clinically healthy animals in the morning into two dry tubes, intended - one for hematological studies (whole blood), and the other for biochemical studies (serum production). An anticoagulant is added to a tube intended for obtaining whole blood. The addition of anticoagulants in excessive doses can cause hemolysis of the blood. When counting formed elements, stabilized blood can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The blood is sent to the laboratory on the day it is drawn. The study is carried out using uniform unified methods. General indicators during clinical examination are: hemoglobin content, number of erythrocytes and leukocytes, reserve alkalinity, total serum protein, total calcium, inorganic phosphorus, carotene; specific - ketone bodies, sugar, magnesium, trace elements, vitamins A, C, E and others. From cattle on farms with the same type of feeding, blood is taken from 20 - 30 cows of the control group (5-7 animals in each group), from bulls at breeding enterprises, the blood of all animals is examined once a year, and quarterly - from 15 - 20 animals, in young animals during the period of growing, rearing and fattening, the blood of calves of control groups at 6 and 12 months of age is examined (15 - 20 samples). In pigs from pregnant and suckling sows, blood is taken from 8 - 10 animals for testing , which most fully reflect the condition of the livestock, a laboratory blood test of piglets in the farrowing, rearing and fattening shops is carried out from 8 to 10 piglets from several litters, which most fully reflect the condition of the livestock. When conducting medical examinations of sheep, in each room where ewes are located, a reference group of 20 - 30 animals (2 - 3% of the number of livestock in the shed) is created. Blood tests are carried out from 8 to 10 animals in each control group. 3 Examination of urine, milk and rumen contents Urine examination is mandatory during medical examination, since changes in it associated with metabolic disorders appear quite quickly. Changes in urine are sometimes a fairly characteristic symptom of certain pathologies. Urine is taken from clinically healthy animals in the morning and immediately sent to the laboratory, since its untimely delivery causes changes in pH, destruction of leukocytes and rejected epithelial cells, and the development of microflora. In cattle, urine from 10 - 20% of cows in control groups is examined. In the urine, the reaction (pH), the presence of ketone bodies, as well as protein, bilirubin, and sugar are determined, and, if necessary, microscopy of the urine sediment is performed. During clinical examination, milk examination is most often limited to determining the presence of ketone bodies and fat content. However, if necessary, the range of studied indicators expands, including the determination of the physical properties of milk (acidity, density), chemical composition (protein, vitamin A, carotene, sometimes micro- and macroelements). The study of scar contents involves determining the physicochemical properties and microflora. Samples of ruminal contents are obtained using an oro-esophageal probe in the morning, 3 to 4 hours after feeding. The samples taken are filtered through a sieve into several layers of gauze, preserved with 6-8 drops of chloroform or toluene, and for counting ciliates with a 10% formaldehyde solution. Of the physicochemical indicators, pH, the level of lactic acid, ammonia are of diagnostic importance, and of the microflora - the number of ciliates, their mobility and species composition. Analysis of the data obtained, conclusion and suggestions When analyzing the results of a clinical study, the number of animals with lesions of the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive systems, symptoms of osteodystrophy, ketosis and other pathologies is calculated as a percentage. For each group of animals, the percentage of positive reactions to the content of ketone bodies, protein, and sugar in the tested urine and milk samples is determined. A conclusion about the results of medical examination is made based on a comparison of data from clinical and laboratory studies, analysis of feeding and livestock management, taking into account production veterinary and zootechnical indicators. The conclusion should reflect the nature of existing metabolic disorders, the suspected causes of their occurrence, as well as other existing diseases. Here you should also present a set of therapeutic and preventive, zootechnical and hygienic measures aimed at eliminating the identified deficiencies. References 1.B. M. Anokhin, V. M. Danilevsky: Internal non-communicable diseases of farm animals / Ed. V. M. Danilevsky - M.: "Agropromizdat", 1991 - pp. 183-185. .N. B. Bakirov, A. I. Isaev: Geography of the Kyrgyz Republic / Ed. V. Grechko - Bishkek “Mektep”, 1992 - pp. 43-46. .Professor A.V. Vasiliev: Diagnosis of internal diseases of domestic animals / Ed. A. V. Kuzmichev - M.: “Selkhozgiz”, 1956 - pp. 210-212. .Nogoibaev M.D. manager Department V.B.Zh., Doctor of V.S. Professor, Tokoev K. K. Ph.D., Associate Professor, Sarygulov U. Zh. Art. teacher: Methodical instructions / Ed. K. K. Kerimov - Kut-Ber LLC, Bishkek, st. Mederova No. 68, Bishkek 2011 .Nogoibaev M.D. manager Department V.B.Zh., Doctor of V.S. professor, Mederbekova M.S.: Zhash maldyn ichki ylandary - Kut-Ber LLC, Bishkek, st. Mederova No. 68, Bishkek 2011 .I. G. Sharabrin, V. A. Alikaev: Internal non-communicable diseases of farm animals / Ed. I. G. Sharabrina - 6th ed., revised. and additional - M.: "Agropromizdat", 1985 - pp. 149-151.
The development of veterinary medicine was driven by the need to provide assistance to sick animals. Over time, this assistance was improved and deepened, but the principle of veterinary care remained unchanged. The activities of a veterinary specialist began where a sick animal appeared, and was mainly in the nature of emergency care. Little or no attention was paid to disease prevention.
This kind of veterinary care for animals does not meet the needs of large livestock farms and does not correspond to the level of modern scientific data.
Clinical examination as a method is built on a fundamentally different basis. In addition to systematic monitoring of the health of animals, which makes it possible to identify diseases at the initial stage of development of the process and timely apply various types of treatment procedures, medical examination involves studying the conditions of feeding, care and maintenance, the conditions for the body’s adaptation to the environment and identifying all unfavorable factors that may contribute to the occurrence of those diseases. or other disorders in the functioning of the body.
A distinctive feature of medical examination is, therefore, the active intervention of a veterinary specialist in the lives of animals, the restructuring, where necessary, of the conditions of their existence and the management of biological laws that contribute to increasing resistance to diseases, and not just the treatment of sick people.
Carrying out medical examination can be successful only if the individual characteristics of animals are taken into account and the active participation of all livestock workers in this work.
In the individual card, along with zootechnical information about the animal’s exterior and its productivity, the following is indicated: pregnancy, condition before and after birth, condition of internal organs, preventive treatment, as well as observations of reactions to external irritations in order to get an idea of the type of higher nervous activity and type of constitution. Of the diseases, only progressive ones that weaken the body and affect the productivity of the animal should be entered into the card.
If an individual card is created from the moment the animal is born, then it should reflect: the development of the body and all individual characteristics, both in terms of health and productivity. In producers of all types of animals, it is necessary to note breeding qualities and the ability to inherit not only external characteristics, but also the body’s resistance to diseases. This kind of observation can help in the selection and breeding of animals resistant to the disease.
The second necessary condition for successful medical examination is the degree of understanding by farm workers of the tasks assigned to them and the degree of interest in the results of the work. Each employee must know his responsibilities and perform them willingly.
The veterinary specialist is faced with the task of studying the individual abilities and inclinations of farm workers in the process of work. It is no secret that animals are sensitive to the attitude of the staff and respond to care and affection with increased productivity. This obliges us to select people who love animals and are conscientious about their work. Knowledge of livestock workers can significantly facilitate the veterinary specialist’s medical examination.
Farm workers must have an understanding of the basic physiological functions of the body in order to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm in the behavior of the animal and know what it likes and what it does not like. In this regard, the veterinary specialist is faced with the task of not only developing in the staff a sense of responsibility for the assigned work, but also giving them the necessary minimum knowledge in the field of animal hygiene and prevention and an understanding of the basics of rational feeding and care of animals. Farm workers should be familiar with the achievements of the leading livestock breeders and with the shortcomings that hinder the development of livestock farming on their farm, preventing it from becoming one of the leading ones.
Clinical examination should be based on the principles of progressive Michurin biology and Pavlovian physiology. The first principle in relation to the medical examination of animals is the principle of unity of the organism and the environment. The external environment can have both positive and negative effects on the body. Animal disease in most cases is associated with deterioration of living conditions, care and feeding. Every specialist is well aware that dampness and drafts in livestock buildings predispose to diseases of the respiratory system and skin. By eliminating these environmental factors that negatively affect the body, it is possible to eliminate not only existing diseases, but also to prevent their occurrence in the future.
Feeding animals with low-quality feed leads to massive diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, with a sharp decrease in animal productivity. Eliminating these feeds from the diet and replacing them with benign and complete feeds will eliminate the disease, in some cases will save animals from death and prevent the occurrence of new diseases.
Feed is benign in appearance, but has a deficiency or excess of micro- and macroelements, which can cause the occurrence of biochemical enzootics. Thus, a lack of iodine in feed causes the development of goiter, which is characterized by the growth of the thyroid gland, decreased cellular respiration, impaired carbohydrate, fat and salt metabolism, dysfunction of the nervous system, delayed growth and development and, most importantly, a decrease in the body’s resistance to infectious diseases. This deficiency can be eliminated by enriching the feed ration and water with iodine.
Cobalt deficiency causes a special disease in cattle, goats and sheep, and less often in pigs and horses, characterized by impaired hematopoiesis, emaciation, perversion of appetite, licking, a sharp decrease in productivity, dry skin and changes in coat. Animals die due to symptoms of deep cachexia. The basis of this disease is a decrease in the synthesis of vitamin B12. Adding cobalt chloride to the diet as a mineral supplement provides both therapeutic and preventive effects (Berzin, Kowalski). In the fight against cobalt deficiency, a radical measure is to sow perennial grasses and add cobalt fertilizers to the soil.
Other biochemical enzootics are currently known. These include beryllium rickets in animals, with a significant content of this element in soils. Damage to teeth is observed in animals with a lack of fluoride (dental caries and bone fluorosis), and with an increased content of fluoride in water and feed, tooth enamel becomes mottled. With a lack of magnesium salts, tetany develops, and with an excess of selenium, “alkaline disease” develops. Other microelements whose deficiency or excess causes disease in animals include molybdenum, manganese, copper and iron.
From the above examples it is clear that the specific causes of diseases lie in the environment. The organism and the environment in which it develops represent a unity, therefore the methodology for studying animals should be expanded and replenished by studying the external environment surrounding the organism.
An in-depth study of the economy should pursue the goal of identifying all unfavorable factors that contribute to the weakening of the body, the emergence and spread of diseases. This work is not one day. Chemical analyzes of feed, water and soil, determination of humidity and air pollution in barnyards, bacteriological studies, drainage of swamps and destruction of bushes will be required.
It is quite obvious that the implementation of these works is available only to agronomists, land reclamation specialists, livestock specialists and research institutions, since they require special conditions and special equipment. But a veterinary specialist cannot be an indifferent witness to existing problems. In addition to carrying out general preventive measures, he can send the necessary material for research to bacteriological and chemical laboratories.
Based on the conclusion based on the analyzes of soil, water or feed, he must raise the question of necessary measures with the farm administration.
From a sanitary and zoohygienic point of view, it is necessary to inspect livestock yards and utility rooms, the condition of pastures, hayfields, watering places, manure storage facilities and cattle burial grounds. It is necessary to take into account the state of preventive disinfection, rodent control and protection of animals from hematophages. Find out the storage conditions for forage reserves, the procedure for preparing feed and its use, and determine whether there is mineral supplementation. In relation to transport animals, one should be interested in the condition of the harness, the preparation of the harness and the maintenance of the carts.
Recognizing the decisive role of the external environment in the occurrence of diseases, one should not forget that external causes alone are not always sufficient for the occurrence and development of a disease. Practical observations show that out of several animals under the same conditions of keeping and feeding, some get sick, while others remain healthy. Even infectious diseases do not spread to individual animals. Consequently, in addition to external factors in the development of the disease, internal factors that determine the resistance of the body are also important.
In addition to studying external factors, a specialist should set himself the task of studying the individual characteristics of the body and selecting animals that are resistant to the disease, as well as strengthening the body in relation to harmful factors influencing from the outside. This work should be based on the experience of advanced Michurin biology. The works of I.V. Michurin, T.D. Lysenko and S.I. Shteiman undoubtedly show the path along which the work should develop. By changing the environment, conditions of keeping and feeding animals, it is necessary to strive to obtain new properties, greater resistance to diseases, just as S.I. Shteiman, by raising calves in unheated calf barns, achieved an increase in metabolism and the body’s resistance to negative external influences. We should not forget that new signs in the structure and functions of the body, arising as a result of changes in feeding and maintenance conditions, are inherited and fixed if the external conditions that caused these changes continue to act in this direction in the future.
The second principle when conducting clinical examination is the principle of nervism. The physiological function of the nervous system is to balance the relationship between the body and the external environment. As the experiments of I. P. Pavlov, K. M. Bykov and others showed, all the most important functions of the internal organs depend on the functional state of the cerebral cortex. It regulates the functioning of internal organs, and the latter, in turn, affect the state of the nervous system.
How strongly environmental factors affect the nervous system of an animal can be judged by practical observations of animals transferred to new premises, as well as in cases of changes in the persons caring for these animals. It is known that cattle and dogs refuse food in someone else's premises, with a new owner, become gloomy and quickly lose weight.
In 1916, Voskresensky established, for example, that a change in the environment in which cows are milked causes an increase in heart rate and respiration, trembling and a decrease in milk output, reaching up to 60% in some cows. It is quite obvious that without taking into account the factors that determine this reaction in animals, such a decrease in milk yield and the external behavior of animals can rightfully be considered as indicators of a disease, and the animals can be regarded as sick.
As the observations of I.P. Pavlov showed, animals form a “conditioned reflex for the time” of eating and resting. Regular feeding of animals at strictly defined times contributes to the development of a conditioned reflex to the secretion of digestive juices and thereby better absorption of the food received. Irregular feeding, on the contrary, disrupts digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Strict adherence to feeding times, the sequence of feeding feed and watering places, compliance with housing conditions, as well as assigning a certain stall, feeder, buckets to animals and compliance with the operating and rest regime, in the light of the teachings of I. P. Pavlov, become important factors in the prevention of diseases.
In light of these data, the specialist is tasked with studying the behavior of animals and their reactions to external stimuli, their attitude towards staff and towards food (favorite and unfavorite food).
If irregular examinations of animals, moreover, often superficial, do not make it possible with the modern form of service to identify the true cause of diseases and predisposing factors, then the study of the existence of an organism in the environment and the individual characteristics of the animal’s body will make it possible to establish what factors negatively affect the animal’s body.
For successful clinical examination, in addition to studying environmental conditions, it is necessary to timely identify animals in the initial period of disease development, when there are only functional disorders, without significant organic changes. Such changes are more easily normalized under the influence of dietary feeding and treatment with various means.
Clinical research of animals and study of living conditions must be carried out simultaneously, so that active prevention and therapy can eliminate the possibility of diseases reoccurring among other animals and restore the health of the sick.
In clinical research and treatment of animals, the third principle must be used - the unity and integrity of the organism. No matter how minor the damage to individual organs and systems, it affects the function of the entire organism. That is why it is necessary to abandon the narrowly localized view of the disease in the spirit of Virchow-Traube.
The more detailed the study is, the easier it is to establish the localization and nature of the disease, as well as to draw a conclusion about the degree of dysfunction and outline radical treatment. During the study, it is necessary to take into account the general appearance of the animal and reactions to external stimuli. The state of the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, digestive tract, genitourinary and nervous systems and movement organs must also be determined.
When studying animals, depending on the conditions and nature of the diseases, it is necessary to use all available methods, from the simplest to the most complex. If previously X-ray diagnostics were possible only in stationary X-ray rooms of large medical institutions, now mobile X-ray machines can be used on collective and state farms.
This is supported by the wide experience of I. G. Sharabrin, who carried out several thousand x-ray studies of cattle on collective farms of the Moscow region for the purpose of early diagnosis of disorders of mineral metabolism, as well as the experience of leading livestock breeders of a number of collective farms in the Tutaevsky district of the Yaroslavl region and state farms of the Vladimir region, in which portable X-ray machines are used to select the best sires, healthy ewes and to study the dynamics of lamb development.
In the event that the disease is not widespread, after examining the animals, they can be divided into groups: sick, exhausted and pregnant, both in need of treatment and strengthening the body.
Animals isolated after a clinical examination must be placed in appropriate housing and feeding conditions and subjected to appropriate treatment. Depending on the health status of the isolated animals, it is necessary to treat either in a stationary hospital or in special camps, if only dietary feeding is needed to restore health, productivity and performance.
The task of a veterinary specialist should be to ensure that, using a reasonably designed set of preventive and therapeutic measures, directly or indirectly influence the cause of the disease and, while protecting the nervous system, thereby regulate the work of protective and compensatory mechanisms. Based on the principle of the unity of the body and the environment, the unity and integrity of the body, use dietary feeding, physiotherapy, medication treatment, changing the feeding and maintenance regime and, if necessary, surgical intervention for this purpose.
We should not forget that treatment or prevention alone, no matter how good they are, cannot achieve the desired result. Thus, treating the breathing apparatus with medications without eliminating sharp fluctuations in air temperature in the room, as well as drafts, is unlikely to be effective, just as keeping a sick animal in good conditions, but without proper treatment, will be ineffective.
When carrying out medical examination of the horse population according to Gizatullin, before the start of the clinical examination, it is necessary to carry out a litter of horses. At the brood, each rider must present the horses attached to him along with harness, cart and care items. This will give an idea of the condition of the horses and horse equipment.
In addition to the preventive value, such a brood will also have an educational value.
A general examination of animals is carried out in a planned manner, when animals are kept in stalls, in winter and spring when being put out to pasture, and periodic ones, based on a specific case of disease, can be carried out more often, especially in areas unfavorable for infectious diseases.
It is especially important to examine animals before placing them in winter housing or sending them to winter pastures. Identifying the weak and sick in the initial stages of the disease and strengthening their body with appropriate feeding and treatment will prevent the death of these animals when feeding and maintenance deteriorate during the journey and in winter.
At first, cattle, horses and breeding producers of all types of animals can be subjected to medical examination. The clinical trial data must be entered into an individual card, which should reflect: live weight, productivity indicators, pregnancy status, as well as the state of the body at the time of the study. As for diseases, they are reflected in a special medical examination sheet.
The results of the farm inspection and clinical examination of animals must be notified to the heads of the farm and workers of livestock farms, and on collective farms, to the general meeting of collective farmers. In the inspection report, it is necessary to note the existing shortcomings and indicate the reasons that have a negative effect on the animal’s body. If there are diseases, the cause of these diseases should be indicated. At the general meeting of collective farmers, it is necessary to note the best and lagging workers and familiarize them with the indicators of their work.
Clinical examination involves not only strict accounting, but also systematic verification of the implementation of instructions to eliminate existing shortcomings on the farm that affect the condition of animals. The documentation must comprehensively reflect the condition of the animals at the time of examination and the reasons that need to be eliminated to create favorable conditions for the animals. The acts must be signed by the head of the farm and the livestock specialist. If the act is discussed at a meeting of the collective farm board, then it is necessary to make clear instructions on the time frame within which the existing problems must be eliminated.
Clinical examination is carried out according to a specific plan, including: 1) general measures; 2) therapeutic and preventive work and 3) study of the external environment surrounding animals.
1. General activities: a) selection of service personnel, assignment of certain animals to them and familiarization of workers with the tasks of medical examination of animals;
B) certification of animals intended for dispensary services;
C) studying and demonstrating the experience of advanced workers and veterinary education of livestock workers.
2. Treatment and preventive work: a) clinical examination of all animals and dividing them into groups according to health status;
B) recording pregnant animals and creating appropriate feeding and housing conditions for them;
C) strengthening the health of weak animals through dietary feeding and treating animals in the initial stages of the disease;
D) treatment of sick animals and prevention of emerging diseases;
D) analysis of the epizootic situation over the past 3 years and study of statistical data regarding hemosporidial diseases;
E) carrying out anti-epizootic and preventive measures to prevent the occurrence of previously observed diseases in the area;
G) study in subsequent studies the individual characteristics of the animal’s body in order to select the most resistant to diseases.
Study of the external environment surrounding animals: A) studying the history of the development of the economy and livestock farming, in particular;
B) inspection of the farm (livestock buildings, pastures, haylands, watering places, feed) and its sanitary and zoohygienic assessment.
C) an in-depth study of the reasons that reduce the resistance of the body or determine the development of the disease. Sending soil, water, various feeds, vegetation from pastures and grasslands, blood, feces, etc. to laboratories and research institutions.
Based on a study of the condition of animals on the farm, statistical materials on animal morbidity by year and season, as well as a study of the farm, a plan for improving the health of the farm can be drawn up in the future, in which, along with special veterinary and zootechnical measures, organizational and economic issues should also be reflected. This will make it possible to deepen the work being carried out every year and more successfully implement the state plan for the development of livestock farming.
Medical examination is a new form of animal care. In terms of its scope, medical examination is a broad event, covering organizational, economic, treatment, preventive and educational issues. It is natural, therefore, that carrying out medical examination will require advanced training of livestock workers, improvement of diagnostic and therapeutic work. Only those who can correctly assess the state of the body and promptly and radically eliminate harmful factors that negatively affect the body of animals will be able to establish scientifically based comprehensive prevention and therapy.
— a method of injury prevention, which includes both diagnostic and therapeutic, as well as preventive measures.
Due to the fact that traumatism is the root cause of the most common surgical diseases in animals, surgical medical examination should be an essential component of veterinary services for industrial livestock farming and specialized farms and include comprehensive clinical examinations in surgery, orthopedics, ophthalmology and andrology.
A comprehensive medical examination of animals involves a clinical examination to determine the integrity of the skin, mucous membranes, mouth and teeth, eyes, the presence of open and closed injuries, diseases of the limbs and hooves, the genital area in bulls and cows, feed injuries and metal carriers.
Tests for the presence of skin diseases. The condition of the skin (elasticity, moisture and pain sensitivity), folding and immobility of the skin are determined. Pay attention to the presence of mechanical damage (abrasions, scratches, wounds, macerations), baldness, peeling of the epidermis, eczema, dermatitis, neoplasms, ulcers, fistulas, folliculitis, boils and carbuncles.
Tests for the presence of eye diseases. Pay attention to possible lacrimation, color, consistency and nature of eye discharge (serous-mucous, purulent), the presence of foreign bodies in the conjunctival sac and under the third eyelid, the condition of the skin of the eyelids (wounds, abrasions, tumors, dermatitis, eczema), the presence of eversion and turning up the eyelids. In cases of widespread eye disease and if an infectious nature of the disease is suspected, animals are isolated and the diagnosis is clarified through special studies.
Oral and dental examinations
begin with determining the nature of food intake and appetite, carefully examine the oral cavity, teeth, the condition of their chewing surface, mucous membrane of the gums, hard palate, oral cavity and tongue, determine the presence of foreign bodies, etc. Inspection of the oral cavity should be carried out using a reflector (illuminator ), yawner.
When conducting a comprehensive medical examination, a clinical examination identifies animals with open and closed mechanical damage (wounds, hematomas, lymphatic extravasation, hernias, fractures, etc.). Sick animals are given first aid and their treatment is organized.
Research for presence
diseases of the limbs are carried out taking into account the conditions of keeping and feeding the animals, the nature of the position of the limbs, the presence, type and degree of lameness, the state of muscle tone, tendons, synovial sheaths and bursae are determined. Particular attention is paid to the condition of the hoof horn and diseases of the hooves, their shape, the condition of the horny wall, sole, crumb, the presence of deformation, etc. are determined.
If diseases are detected in the area of the corolla, the arch of the interclaw fissure, the wall, the sole, or the crumb, the diagnosis is clarified, the causes are clarified, treatment is organized and preventive measures are developed.
Research for the presence
feed injuries make it possible to detect blockage of the esophagus, traumatic reticuloperitonitis, pericarditis, foreign bodies in the oral cavity, etc. The frequency of cases and sources of this type of injury are determined and measures are taken to eliminate them.
When examining for the presence of sexual trauma in male farm animals (bulls, boars, rams), the scrotum, testes, spermatic cords and penis are examined by inspection and palpation in order to detect possible swelling, wounds, abrasions, erosions, ulcers, pain sensitivity, prolapse of the penis (paraphimosis, paralysis) or its failure to remove it (phimosis), etc. If posthitis or balanoposthitis is detected in bulls, differential diagnostics are carried out for trichomoniasis and vibriosis.
The final stage of comprehensive medical examination is the state of the act, which should reflect the detected animal diseases and reveal their causes. In the final part of the act, they indicate a list of measures and proposals to eliminate the deficiencies identified during the medical examination and appoint specific persons responsible for their implementation.
Clinical examination (from lat.dispenso- distribute)– This is a complex of veterinary diagnostic, treatment and preventive measures carried out to monitor the health status and metabolic processes in your animal’s body, for the timely detection of early preclinical and clinical signs of diseases, their prevention and treatment of sick animals.
DISPANSERIZATION allows you to:
— analyze the veterinary parameters of the body;
— determine the clinical status of the animal;
— identify the main and concomitant diseases (if any);
— timely identify deviations in the functioning of the body as a whole, which in the future can lead to the development of the disease;
— prescribe treatment or apply preventive measures in a timely manner;
— choose a specific diet for your animal that meets the metabolic characteristics and level of stable vital activity;
Medical examination of animals is usually carried out in spring or autumn. But you can go according to indications or at any time convenient for the owners.
For owners of small pets - dogs and cats - it is most convenient to combine medical examination with annual vaccination.
It is advisable to conduct a preventive examination of the animal before mating.
Unlike humans, animals cannot tell us if something has changed, making information from owners and a physical examination even more important in identifying problems. Throughout their lives, animals grow faster than humans, so physical changes that may take 4-5 years to become noticeable in a person may take 1-2 years to become noticeable in a dog or cat. Often, even if the client says the animal is doing well, the veterinarian may notice changes that might be easily missed by people who see the animal every day. The most frequently detected problems are the ears and skin, the development of cardiovascular diseases, dental diseases and gastrointestinal tract diseases.
Who needs medical examination anyway?
— Animals of “advanced” age. Since it is during this period of life that deviations in the functioning of the body very often occur, which may not be immediately noticed. Clinical signs of diseases such as renal and heart failure, hepatitis, pancreatitis are not always noticeable at this age, because may be in a chronic stage.
— Animals after operations. Animals that have undergone major surgery are at risk. Any intervention in the internal environment of the body can lead to certain consequences, which are best identified in the early stages.
— Animals after sterilization and castration. To determine the course of metabolic processes in the body, hormonal levels and to avoid obesity of the animal. -Animals with chronic pathologies.
— To monitor health status.
— Before leaving the country, because treatment of animals in many countries is very expensive.
What is included in the dispensary activities?
At our clinic, specialists can offer you a full range of dispensary services:
-examination of the animal
The animal is weighed; changes in weight often underlie diseases such as thyroid pathology or diabetes mellitus. The animal's temperature is measured. The veterinarian makes a visual assessment of the general condition, coat quality and weight, then gradually conducts a full examination of the animal, which includes:
Listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope to check for abnormal heart rhythms; murmurs that may indicate valve disease; and abnormal air flow through the lungs, which may indicate fluid or masses in or around the lungs;
Palpation of the abdomen to assess the size and shape of the liver, kidneys, intestines and bladder, as well as determine the presence of stool;
Measuring lymph nodes: Enlarged lymph nodes may indicate infection or some types of cancer;
Examination of the ears with an otoscope to evaluate the eardrum, as well as determine the presence of an inflammatory process, which may indicate infection;
Examination of the eyes, including the cornea and sclera, for inflammation, which can occur with dust, bacterial infections, and allergies;
An oral examination includes checking the color and moisture of the gums, as well as looking for damaged teeth and signs of gum disease such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and others.
A rectal examination is performed in non-castrated males to evaluate the condition of the prostate gland, as well as in animals that have had problems with the anal glands, diarrhea, etc., to check for the presence of blood and abnormal material (bone fragments, stones, etc. .).
— clinical and biochemical blood test
— urine test
— stool examination
tests that allow you to identify hidden inflammatory processes, asymptomatic pathologies of the liver, kidneys, and pancreas.
cardiac electrocardiogram (ECG)
A thorough examination, even if there are no visible problems, allows you to identify diseases in the initial stage, when there are no irreversible changes and the animal can be cured completely.
In addition, in animals with known disorders, such as tumors or cardiac pathologies, regular medical examinations allow us to assess the course of the disease, whether it is progressing or passing without changes.
Please note that it is cheaper to undergo a routine medical examination than to examine and treat an animal with already clear clinical signs and in serious condition.
We wish you and your pets good health.
Medical examination of animals
Medical examination of animals is a system of planned veterinary diagnostic and therapeutic measures, thanks to which it is possible to identify the disease at an early stage. A timely intervention allows you to check the animal and prevent the development of the disease. Medical examination provides complete information about the pet’s condition, allows you to find out about the level of metabolism, and establish the cause of the development of the disease.
Unlike a person, an animal cannot talk about its health, and a medical examination allows you to identify existing problems. It is not uncommon for veterinarians to notice subtle changes when, according to owners, their pet is feeling great. Therefore, conducting an examination allows you to protect your pet from serious problems and extend the pet’s life.
Why carry out medical examination of animals?
The importance of medical examination of a cat or dog is great, because it not only detects diseases at an early stage, but it also allows:
- analyze veterinary indicators;
- determine the clinical status of the pet;
- identify underlying and concomitant diseases;
- find out about abnormalities in the animal’s body before obvious symptoms appear;
- prescribe the correct course of medications in a timely manner;
- develop a diet based on metabolism and level of vital activity.
Often, owners go to the veterinary clinic when the disease is in a fairly advanced state. In this case, the treatment process becomes long and labor-intensive. The basis of the dispensary principle is proper preparation for the examination. It allows you to minimize possible interference, measurement and analysis errors.
Methods of medical examination: what does the examination include?
Like humans, animals need regular medical examination, the procedure for which includes:
This examination technique allows you to get a complete picture of the animal’s health status. The obtained test results are compared with standards in order to identify the reasons that cause deviations from the norm, failures and problems in the functioning of all organs.
Timing of medical examination: how often is the examination carried out?
All cats and dogs over 5 years of age require regular examination. This need is due to the fact that as pets age, they are exposed to environmental factors. Many diseases at their age can be asymptomatic. The health status is also checked after surgery. Another category includes pets that have undergone castration and sterilization. A timely examination can determine how metabolic processes occur in the body and the level of hormones.
Monitoring of animals is most often combined with annual vaccination, usually carried out in the spring or autumn. It is also necessary to check the health of the animal before mating. The duration of the examination is individual in each case, the doctor sets it based on the general state of health and the number of necessary tests.
The veterinary clinic https://komondorvet.ru/ offers the best conditions for medical examination of dogs and cats. All diagnostic findings obtained during the examination are stored in our clinic on electronic media. Based on the tests obtained, doctors develop recommendations regarding the care, prevention and treatment of your pet.
