Animal Anatomy, Physiology, and Health Management
Animal Anatomy, Physiology, and Health Management tests structure-function relationships and the ability to recognise abnormal animals. Expect questions on digestion, vital signs, infectious diseases, vaccination and zoonoses.
Core concepts
- Ruminants have a four-compartment stomach: rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum. Rumen microbes ferment fibre and synthesize microbial protein; the abomasum is the true glandular stomach. Pigs, poultry and dogs are monogastric.
- Normal cattle temperature is about 38–39°C; rumen pH is usually 6–7. Fever, rapid breathing, off-feed, abnormal dung, reduced rumination and milk drop are warning signs.
- Health management combines hygiene, colostrum, balanced feed, water, vaccination, deworming, tick control and isolation of sick animals.
- FMD is a viral disease with fever, drooling and vesicles on the tongue and feet. It is not treated with antibiotics; report it, isolate animals and vaccinate unaffected stock.
- Zoonoses such as brucellosis and rabies require protective clothing and safe disposal of abortus and carcasses.
Worked example
A cow has 40°C fever, drools, and has blisters on the tongue and hoof. The reasoning points to FMD: fever plus vesicles in mouth and feet is the classic pattern. Action: isolate, notify the veterinarian, disinfect, restrict movement, and protect the rest of the herd. Antibiotics would not cure the virus.
Traps
Do not call 39.5°C normal for cattle without checking the species and age. Do not confuse rumen pH with blood pH. Do not treat every diarrhoea with antibiotics; many cases are nutritional or viral.