What is the body temperature of animals. Measurement of body temperature in animals. Overheating is indicated by the behavior of chickens

One of the most important indicators of the well-being of cattle is body temperature. Like most warm-blooded cows, cows are characterized by a certain temperature norm, a deviation from which in one direction or another may indicate possible problems with health. The cause of such conditions must be established by a veterinarian, but the task of the owner is regular monitoring. What are the norms and how to correctly measure the temperature of cattle will be discussed further.

What is the normal body temperature for cattle

The body temperature of mammals depends on the rate of metabolic processes occurring in the body, and is normally within certain limits, the excess of which may indicate any violations.

Important! It should be borne in mind that in some individuals the variant of the norm may differ from the generally accepted one in one direction or another due to individual features organism, but this fact must be confirmed by a veterinarian.

Cattle are characterized by an average temperature of 37.5–39.5 ° C, but there are differences depending on the sex and age of individuals:

• in cows, 2 months before calving, thermometer readings can reach 38.5–40 ° C - this is the norm. Bulls are characterized by a temperature of 38-39 ° C;
• calves usually have a higher temperature than adults - 38.5-40.5 ° C, while as they grow, the indicators may change: up to 6 weeks - 38.5-40.5 ° C, from 6 weeks to 2 months - 38.5–40.2 ° С, from 2 to 12 months - 38.5–39.8 ° С.

How to take a cow's temperature

Measuring the temperature in cows is associated with certain difficulties, so you should follow the general recommendations for this procedure.
Many mistakenly assume that fever in cattle can be detected by the hot skin of the body or nose, but cows regulate heat exchange by slowing blood flow, and the skin can remain cool even with high thermometer readings.

Did you know?A cow's nose print has a unique pattern, similar to human fingerprints. In the United States, this feature is used when searching for stolen or missing animals.

For measurement, a conventional medical mercury or electronic thermometer can be used. If mercury is used, the measurement time should be at least 10 minutes, electronic gives an answer faster: from 10-15 seconds to 3 minutes, depending on the model.

The measurement is made rectally. Some farmers practice vaginal measurement of cows, but the reliability of the results can be significantly distorted if the female is in heat or she is expecting offspring.

Before the procedure, you need to wash your hands and put on medical gloves, fix the animal so that it does not buck during the measurement.

Before this, the thermometer is thoroughly washed and treated with a disinfectant, then the tip of the device is lubricated with petroleum jelly and carefully inserted into the rectum for a set time, and when using an electronic device, until a sound signal appears.
After the measurement is completed, the thermometer is washed again and disinfected to avoid infecting other animals in the herd.

Important! In the absence of experience with livestock or with increased aggressiveness and anxiety of the cow, it is better to carry out the procedure with an assistant.

Deviations from the norm

Any significant (more than 1-2 degrees) deviation of the cow's body temperature from the norm should alert the owner and become a reason to contact the veterinarian as soon as possible to determine the cause.

An elevated temperature can be caused by a number of situations:

• violation of the diet and the use of low-quality feed can cause the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines of livestock, which in turn can cause hyperthermia. The solution to the problem lies in the selection of good food and strict adherence to the regimen;
• postpartum complications such as retained placenta, common gynecological diseases in females;
• mastitis, in which it is important to provide udder massage and milking every 2 hours as soon as possible in order to eliminate stagnation. An antibiotic ointment is then prescribed by the veterinarian;
• diseases of an infectious or viral nature (endometritis, plague, pneumonia, and others).

In all cases described, self-treatment is dangerous for the animal and the entire herd. It is necessary to isolate the sick cow and have it examined by a specialist.
It happens that in adult cattle or calves, the body temperature drops below normal. It is hard not to notice such a state: the behavior changes, the animal becomes lethargic and apathetic, may show anxiety, moo plaintively.

Low temperature is not a very common occurrence, however, the causes that cause such a deviation can be life-threatening for the animal:

• poisoning with toxic substances, oddly enough, is accompanied by a decrease in temperature, in contrast to food poisoning, and this is a very alarming symptom. If there is a suspicion that the cattle could have eaten poisonous substances, mushrooms or plants, you should seek veterinary help as soon as possible. May require intensive care measures;
• avitaminosis in young animals is also characterized by hypothermia, it is eliminated by nutrition correction, the introduction of vitamins into the diet, and ensuring sufficient exposure of calves to sunlight;
• hypothermia in calves. Occurs when calves are in a cold room or outdoors for a long time during the cold season. Prevention is to provide young individuals warm room and bedding, exclusion of drafts;
• the most dangerous cause of hypothermia is maternity paresis: a condition associated with paralysis of the pharynx, tongue, and legs of a cow. If left untreated, the animal dies within a few days, so it is dangerous to rehabilitate the cow on your own. Qualified veterinary care is required in the first hours of illness.

How to bring down

With hyperthermia, it is important to show the animal to a specialist as soon as possible for a diagnosis. As a rule, treatment is aimed at eliminating the cause of the fever: an ill individual may be prescribed antibiotics, vitamins, and a drinking regimen.

One of the most important indicators of the state of health in cattle is the cow's body temperature. It can be a symptom of various diseases. It cannot be stable. If a cow has noticed a slight deviation from the norm, it is worth considering possible treatment.

Normal body temperature of a cow

The body temperature of cattle depends on age. A healthy cow has a normal temperature of 37.5-39°C.

For some types of cows, a slightly elevated temperature is the norm. But such an animal still requires constant monitoring and examination by a veterinarian. The norm sometimes turns out to be a serious pathology.

In newborn calves, the body is weak, with any visible deviations they must be treated. To know if the temperature of a calf is normal, it is worth remembering the indicators for each age:

• from birth to the 6th week of life - 38.5-40.5 ° C;
• from 7 weeks to 2 months - 38.5-40 ° C;
• from 3 months to 1 year - 38.5-39.5 ° С.

At the first sign of deviation, you should contact your veterinarian.

Measuring the temperature of cows

Sometimes control is needed daily, so you should have a special thermometer. A cow thermometer is available at all pet stores. When using, the equipment should be constantly disinfected so as not to infect animals with diseases.

To avoid injury, this procedure should only be carried out when the cattle is immobilized, because. sometimes artiodactyls resist. To measure the temperature of a cow, a thermometer is used through the vagina.

During estrus and after calving, the indicators will differ from the usual body temperature, so it is worth remembering what the temperature of a normal body is.

Elevated temperature in cattle

High body temperature in cows is a sign of an inflammatory process in the body. Most often this is poisoning or bacterial damage. The causes of this disease can be:

• low-quality feed in the diet;
• eating moldy or rotten hay;
• ingestion of fertilizers or poison against insects;
• eating poisonous plants;
• poor conditions of detention.

From birth, artiodactyls have the ability to resist viruses and microorganisms, but this does not always happen. The cause of a high body temperature in a cow can be not only microbes.

To determine the poisoning, it is worth observing the well-being of the animal. The main symptom is increased temperature regime associated with vomiting and diarrhea. Sometimes this is accompanied by a violation of the vestibular apparatus, convulsions and an apathetic state. With such symptoms, you should immediately call a veterinarian to establish the correct diagnosis.

In case of poisoning, the owner of the animal should immediately cleanse the stomach of harmful substances and toxins. Enemas and soldering - best method. Medical intervention is inevitable.

Causes of elevated temperature

A number of ailments that cause the problem:

1. Intoxication after calving. This problem occurs even in the most resistant and healthy cows. After a long and difficult pregnancy, the cow's body lacks bacteria that can cope with the decomposition of the remnants of the fruit shell. It decomposes quickly and causes not quite normal body temperature in a cow who has given birth. Sometimes the thermometer mark rises to 41 ° C. It is impossible to treat such a problem at home, mandatory veterinary care is required.
2. Varieties of mastitis. If the cow's temperature rises to 40 ° C, this is the first sign of this disease. All attempts to reduce it are useless. Only a doctor can accurately determine the diagnosis after collecting tests.

Dealing with a problem on your own

If a high temperature is noticed, do not immediately try to bring it down. This can lead to more serious illnesses. Sometimes an inflammatory process is a good sign, indicating that the immune system is defending itself against diseases, and because of it, the body temperature rises.

It is impossible to independently determine the problem and begin treatment.

Prevention

The problem cannot be predicted. It occurs suddenly and for a specific reason.

Preventive measures consist of a standard cattle care kit. A good diet, a warm and clean stall will ensure the normal condition of the animals. It is also worth excluding the possibility of using poisonous plants and poisons from pests. At the first deviations from the norm, they turn to the veterinarian.

It is especially important to monitor the normal temperature of a cow during pregnancy and after childbirth.

How to measure temperature in animals?

Conclusion

Normal temperature in cows is a good sign of a healthy animal. It is impossible to foresee deviations, this is only a signal for the owner that an urgent examination is required. To do this, you need to know what is the norm of temperature in cows.

It is important to control the temperature of the calf and cow after calving. At the first deviations, the help of a veterinarian is a necessity.

Caring for cattle requires close monitoring of the condition of the animals, including such an indicator as the body temperature of cows. In a healthy mammal, it is constant within a certain range. For cows, this is only one and a half degrees. All other deviations from normal values ​​indicate a possible ill health of the cattle. For the owner, this is a call to action.

What temperature is considered normal

The list of cattle diseases that begin with fever is huge. It is better to contact a specialist - the veterinarian will be able, as a result of a thorough examination, to determine what kind of ailment in the cow caused the violation of the temperature balance.

Normal temperature indicators for a cow are usually 38-39 degrees. Deviations of the lower limit by another half a degree are acceptable.

The ratio of temperature, pulse and respiration in cattle is slightly different for adult animals and young animals. Normal physiological parameters are shown in the table.

For some cows, slight deviations may be a variant of the norm, and here you also need to know the opinion of the veterinarian. In any case, exceeding the mark of 39 degrees is considered a sign of trouble. In some diseases, the temperature in cattle can rise to 41.

How is temperature measured in animals?

The heat in a person is easily determined by touch - the skin becomes hot, blood rushes to the face. Cows have a different natural mechanism, and the tactile method of "diagnosing" does not work. Large cattle increases the thermal parameters of the body, on the contrary, by reducing blood circulation in the skin. At the same time, metabolism increases and muscle energy production occurs. Therefore, externally, the cow may appear cooler than usual, and small tremors of the muscles may become noticeable.

Objectively, an increase in degrees can only be judged by the readings of a thermometer for animals. Usually the test is done rectally or through the cow's mouth. When measuring, remember that:

• the thermometer itself can become a source of infection - the device must be well disinfected;
• the animal does not like such procedures, so the cow must be carefully fixed before taking thermometry;
• you should not take measurements alone - you need a partner for safety.

What does the presence of heat mean?

By itself, a fever in an animal is not only a sign of illness. A high temperature in a cow means that defense mechanisms have turned on in the animal's body to help fight infection or trigger the production of immunity.

Artificial lowering of the temperature will stop the processes of resistance to the disease and may worsen the condition of the animal.

The danger is a prolonged fever. First, it leads to overload internal organs especially the heart muscle. Secondly, it slows down the excretion and neutralization of toxic substances, including waste products and the remains of pathogenic bacteria and other microorganisms. In this case, antipyretic measures are necessary.

How to beat high scores

If the reason for the deviation from the physiological temperature norm the cow has already been identified, then, as a rule, the veterinarian prescribes complex treatment. In infectious diseases, it will include antibiotics corresponding to the detected pathology. It can be penicillin, polyflex, enroflon and other drugs.

Depending on the disease, both hormonal preparations and calcium preparations are used. If necessary, infusion therapy is carried out to flush the body. Directly to reduce the temperature, antipyretics are used, which, as a rule, also have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. These include, for example, antipyrine. But in any case, you should not self-medicate - you need to consult a veterinarian.

When to Check Your Thermometer

In any suspicious condition of the animal, it is imperative to use a thermometer. If the animal is already susceptible to any serious illness, it is necessary to monitor its temperature for 10-15 days. In the first month after calving, daily monitoring is required (including for the calf) with regular recording of indicators.

The temperature chart will help to notice even a short jump in body temperature in a cow in time, which will make it possible to prevent or much easier to cure a pathology that will not manifest itself in any way. It can be a latent infection, postpartum complications or eating disorders.

All deviations from normal temperature should be reported to the veterinarian immediately. Timely professional inspection and early diagnosis often saves time, money and health of livestock.

What pathologies occur with fever

Here are just some of the diseases that are accompanied by a change in body temperature in a cow:

• postpartum intoxication;
• mastitis;
• poisoning;
• pneumonia;
• metritis;
• infectious diseases of the udder;
• hoof diseases.

If the fever began after calving, then there is a high probability of postpartum intoxication, when bacterial decomposition of the unextracted placenta begins. The second most common cause may be incipient mastitis. It will manifest itself additionally with discharge from the udder and its deformation.

With metritis, there may be no external signs of the disease at all. The infection will be confirmed only by a laboratory analysis and the detection of uterine edema. With pneumonia, fever will be added to the disruption of the respiratory tract and murmurs in the lungs. In case of poisoning, the temperature, on the contrary, is lowered. In addition, poisoning will make itself felt with diarrhea, vomiting and heart palpitations.

Body temperature in pets varies depending on age, breed and size. Timely registration of all deviations from the norm is an essential element of pet care. In veterinary medicine, thermometry is important indicator to determine the diagnosis.

Do you monitor the body temperature of your animals? Share your experience in the comments.

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Body temperature of healthy animals:

Factors affecting the average body temperature include gender, breed, season, day, temperature external environment, physical activity, feed intake, pregnancy, level and nature of productivity, etc.

Body temperature in newborn animals also fluctuates. In Black-and-White calves, body temperature at birth is 38.8-39.6° (39.2°), and after a few hours it decreases by 0.5-0.6°; it stabilizes on the 4th-5th day from birth at the level of 38.5-39.5° (average 39°).

With excessive (outrageous) action of pathological stimuli, leading to exceeding the boundaries of temperature fluctuations, a general temperature reaction of the body occurs - fever (pyrexia).

Fever. According to the degree of temperature rise, fevers are distinguished: subfebrile (weak) - with an increase of up to 1 ° relative to the norm, febrile (moderate) - up to 2 °, pyretic (high) - up to 3 ° and hyperpyretic (very high) - more than 3 °.

According to the duration of the fever, there are: ephemeral, or fleeting (febris ephemera), lasting 1-2 hours; acute (febris acuta), lasting from several months to several years.

Daily fluctuations in body temperature are noted: in the mornings it is lower (remissio), in the evenings - higher (cxacerbatio); with tuberculosis sometimes the opposite is true (typus inversus - the reverse type of fever).

If the fever continues around the clock with a difference between the minimum and maximum of less than 1 °, this type of fever is called constant (febris continua, if this difference is above 1 °, but does not reach the norm, the fever will be laxative (febris remittens). When temperature fluctuations occur like this that it decreases to normal within a day, the fever is called intermittent (febris intermittens), even if this intermission (apyrexia) lasts 1-2 hours.

With repeated measurements of temperature over a number of days, it is possible to establish not only its daily fluctuations, but also its general dynamics. In various diseases, the temperature reaction (its rise, course and decrease) occurs differently. The fever may increase for a number of days (stadium incrementi), then stay at this high level (stadium acmes, acme - peak), and finally, there comes a stage of gradual decrease in temperature (stadium decrementi).

Sometimes the decrease in temperature lasts several hours, and it can drop to normal or lower, which is accompanied by profuse sweating or a critical ending of the fever. Its gradual decrease is called lysis or lytic ending of fever.

Fever of the wrong type, taking the form of lebris continue, remittens, intermittens, is called debilitating (lebris hectica); it occurs in pulmonary tuberculosis, internal suppuration, and other debilitating diseases. When the fever ends critically, and then a new rise follows, it is customary to speak of a pseudocrisis (pseudocrisis).

Sometimes (for example, with croupous pneumonia), the difference between the minimum and maximum temperature is almost smoothed out, the daily curve turns into a straight line (monothermia - monotermia). With atypical fever, daily temperature fluctuations are not subject to any regularity.

Fever, as well as other manifestations of the disease, is detected only after the expiration of the incubation period, which lasts from several hours to several days, weeks and even months. However, already at this stage, one can notice signs of prodromal phenomena, expressed in a decrease in appetite, productivity, depression, muscle weakness, etc.

In recurrent fever, the temperature rises to a great height, lasts for several days in the form of febris continua, then drops and remains normal for 13 days, after which it rises again and falls critically (second attack). In most cases, the matter is limited to two attacks, but sometimes it reaches five. The fever-free period between two attacks is called apyrexia. Death is preceded by agony in two stages - the stage of the ascending or descending type of the agonal period. The type of fever, in some cases specific to certain diseases, serves as a rationale for the diagnosis.

Hypothermia (hypotermia)- a drop in temperature below normal. This is a rather rare phenomenon, which has a great diagnostic and prognostic value. A temperature 1° below normal is called subnormal (with puerperal paresis, uremia, hypoglycemia, in old, malnourished animals, after blood loss, trauma, brain tumors, hypothermia, etc.). With an improvement in the general condition, an increase in nervous tone, the temperature usually rises to normal. A drop in temperature below the norm by more than 2 ° is called moderate, and by 3-4 ° - algid collapse. The collapse differs from the crisis not only by more severe hypothermia, but also by cooling of the entire surface of the body, a decline in cardiac activity, general weakness, sticky sweat, severe cyanosis, sunken eyes, trembling, and a thready rapid pulse. A typical picture of collapse is observed with rupture of the stomach and intestines in horses, uterine rupture in cows, and severe feed poisoning. Then, individual organs and systems of the animal are examined, after which a preliminary (initial) diagnosis is established, which is then refined to make the final diagnosis.

The course of the disease (decursus morbi) and the ongoing treatment are recorded in the diary of the case history. At the end of treatment, an epicrisis is drawn up - a medical report on the diagnosis, etiology, pathogenesis, characteristics of the disease, treatment of a sick animal, and also provide a rationale for the prevention of such diseases.

High temperature is a sign of an inflammatory process

A lot of diseases in animals are characterized by such a symptom as elevated body temperature, however, how do you know when the animal's body temperature is above normal, and when - in situations within the permissible range?

In order not to get confused with whether your pet is sick or not, whether he has a temperature or body temperature within the normal range, we decided today to talk about the temperature of animals.

In our publication, we will tell you how to measure such a temperature for cats and dogs, we will give data on temperature standards for certain types pets and share the symptoms of elevated body temperature in our animals.

And, although it is better that this knowledge is not useful to you later, and your pet is not sick, it is still better to be warned about such temperature indicators ...

How to measure the temperature of a pet

Schematic representation of temperature measurement

As a rule, in pets, the temperature is measured rectally - a thermometer is inserted into the anus, and not placed under the paw or leaning against the nose of the animal. And, although such a procedure cannot be called pleasant - it is necessary and you cannot do without it, therefore, it is necessary to accustom your pets to measuring temperature - then they will not react so violently to this procedure under conditions veterinary clinic, if trouble suddenly happens, and you will always be aware of their body temperature.

Body temperature is measured with an ordinary "human" thermometer. Beforehand, you wash and disinfect such a thermometer (the animal must have its own thermometer), then shake it so that the mercury column drops to the lowest mark, then lubricate the tip of such a thermometer with petroleum jelly or baby cream (this is a must, so that the animal does not hurt and you did not inadvertently injure him when you enter a thermometer).

Now you need to put the animal on a flat horizontal surface in front of you - it can be a table or a chair. With one hand, lift your tailed patient's tail, and with the other, gently, but confidently and quickly, insert the tip of the thermometer into the anus. The thermometer should enter the rectum by 1 - 1.5 centimeters (depending on the size of your pet). The abdomen of the animal during this time must be supported in order to prevent any unnecessary movements of your patient. In no case should a cat or dog be allowed to sit on its hind legs. In this position, the thermometer may crack or go too deep and cause internal tears.

What to do if you insert a thermometer, but the animal is clamped, and the anal muscle is contracted - talk affectionately with your pet, stroke it on the head, try to divert its attention from the situation, but do not hesitate - as soon as the animal relaxes - you must gently enter thermometer.

How long to keep a thermometer for an animal

As a rule, 4-5 minutes are enough to measure the body temperature of your four-legged patient. It is not worth getting a thermometer earlier, since the temperature indicator may not be accurate, and the animal is unlikely to voluntarily agree to a second such procedure. Therefore, to be sure, hold the thermometer for 5 minutes, and then carefully remove it.

After you have taken the temperature reading, the thermometer must be cleaned, washed with soapy water under warm water and wiped with alcohol to disinfect.

You can also use an electronic thermometer to measure the body temperature of an animal, it is more convenient in the sense that when the temperature indicator is set, the thermometer notifies you with a sound signal, however, you should wash such an electronic thermometer very carefully so as not to damage it and so that moisture does not get into under the hull.

Temperature standards for pets

Temperature norm for a cat

If - then, the normal temperature indicator of her body ranges from 37.5 0С to 39.0 0С. If the temperature is above the upper limit of the norm - the dog has a temperature, if the thermometer shows the number of degrees less than the lower mark of the norm - check its serviceability, and if it is in order, then your pet has a low body temperature, which, in principle, is also not very good for animal health.

In cats, the limits of the temperature norm range from 38.00С to 39.2 0С, and in decorative rabbits - in the range from 38.5 0С to 39.5 0С.