animals disease

1

Prepared By Amjad Khan Afridi

Become more aware of illness in animals.

Develop a foundation for further learning about animal health Understand how far you can legally go with examining animals for health issues, and at

what point you need to call in a veterinary professional. Study this course and better understand how veterinary professionals systematically

investigate and determine health issues in animals.

Routine disease investigations are based on clinical, pathological and epidemiological evidence.

If there is a need for conclusive identification of a disease or condition, an accurate laboratory diagnosis should be obtained. It is particularly important, especially in the case of infectious

diseases that the final diagnosis rests on adequate aetiological evidence. In most cases disease investigations are carried out by qualified government stock inspectors and/or veterinarians. It helps for animal owners to understand and be able to recognise diseases conditions that may

affect their animals, so that timely intervention can occur.

(Note: The professionals involved and regulations governing their scope of operation can vary from one country to another)

Course Structure

This course has nine lessons:

1. How Animal Diseases are Diagnosed - Conducting clinical examinations, gross and clinical

pathology, information to collect and how to collect it (live animal and necropsy samples),

specialist support services to assist in diagnosis (i.e. types of laboratories, specialist vets etc)

2. Diagnostic Testing - Pathways followed to detect and diagnose different types of diseases,

information to be supplied with samples for diagnostic testing, and diagnostic techniques

3. Viral Diseases - Characteristics of viruses and the significance of a range of viral diseases

that affect animals. You will study viral taxonomy, types and structure of viruses, virus

replication cycle, transmission, and some common viral conditions.

4. Bacteria and Fungal Diseases - This lesson looks at the characteristics of bacterial and fungal

organisms. Topics include: laboratory identification, controlling infections, specimen collection,

and important disease conditions.

5. Parasitological Conditions - Discuss and differentiate a range of conditions that are caused

by parasites. Topics include: Terminology and classification, life cycles, protozoa, helminths,

and arthropods.

2


6. Metabolic and Nutritional Conditions - Lesson covers a range of common metabolic

conditions affecting cattle, horses, pigs, sheep/goats, cats and dogs

7. Poisoning - Discuss and differentiate some common disorders that result from poisoning or

toxins. These include: Cardio-respiratory, Central Nervous System (CNS), dermatological,

gastrointestinal, hepatological, and haematological disorders.

8. Inherited Conditions (Genetic Disorders) - Discuss types of genetic inheritance, and give

examples of genetic diseases affecting horses, dogs, and cats.

9. Other Conditions and Disorders - Identify and discuss miscellaneous conditions such as

allergies, dehydration, and age related conditions.

10. Research Project -In this project you will evaluate symptoms of ill-health or disease

displayed by a set of animals, and go through the process of identifying the problem and

deciding on a course of treatment.

Common signs of an ill or injured animal

It is impossible for even the best educated animal health expert to monitor every aspect of an animal's health all the time. On a farm, the farmer can have hundreds of animals to deal with; and

in a zoo, the zoo keeper may be dealing with even more. Routine and regular blood tests and medical scans are expensive , invasive, and can be distressing to the animals. There are however, simple indicators of ill health, which a well trained animal expert should be

able to detect with little more than a glance at the animal. Learning to manage animal health involves learning to notice things such as the following; knowing what these indicators mean,

and knowing how to respond to them.

The animal not eating as much as usual – this is usually the first sign you will notice

3


It may also drink more or less water than normal, depending on the illness.

An animal standing by itself away from the herd

Animal limping or dragging a leg

Discharge from eyes, nose, or vaginal area

There may be abnormal lumps

The eyes may be dull and the mucous membranes may have changed colour. Deep red

membranes indicate fever; pale membranes show anaemia; yellow membranes indicate a

liver disorder, while blue-red membranes show heart and circulatory problems, or

pneumonia.

Animal making unusual noise (bellowing, grunting)

Animal acting uncomfortable, getting up and down

The animal might be sweating. A cold sweat indicates pain while a hot sweat indicates

fever.

If the animal is in pain it will probably be restless (getting up and down and pac ing

about), and it may even be groaning

Diarrhoea or straining to defecate

Animal not defecating or with very little stool

Animal urinating a lot, or not as much as usual

Marked weight loss or gain

The coat will look dull and dry, and the hairs may stand up.

There may the presence of open sores, dandruff, or the loss of hair or fur from the body

Behavioural signs - Recognise any significant differences in the behaviour of an animal

such as increases in viciousness, lethargy or any other abnormal signs such as excessive

head shaking, scratching, licking or biting of certain parts of the body

The vital signs of a sick animal will change. The temperature may go up or down. A rise

in temperature of one or two degrees usually indicates pain, while a rise of more usually

indicates infection.

The rate of respiration, and the way the animal breathes could also slow changes. With

pain or infection, breathing becomes more rapid. In a very sick animal, breathing can be

laboured and shallow.

A slightly increased pulse rate suggests pain, while a rapid pulse suggests fever. An

irregular pulse can indicate heart trouble. In a very sick animal, the pulse is weak and

feeble.

A sick animal may also possess foul breath or excessive tarter deposits on the teeth

4


Record Keeping is Important

It is important that anyone working with animals is capable of keeping accurate and

comprehensive records e.g. the condition of animal, the work or treatment carried out, any

additional needs of the animal or any incidents involving the animal. Historical information

about individual animals can form a basis for improving husbandry practices and veterinary

procedures.

Avoid the use of paper by keeping electronic records. Some information regarding taxation and

accounts must be retained for legal purposes. Other information about accidents or workplace

injuries should be kept on file for future reference. Organising records and information is part of

the professional groomer’s role.

Create a database or spreadsheet from the beginning of business operations to help you keep

accurate records of the animals and clients you work with.

Accessing the right information online

Information can also be provided easily for various species online. There a number of databases

which keep accurate and transparent records for all kinds of animals being looked after by

organisations such as wildlife parks and zoos.

The usual kinds of information found online about species cared for in parks, zoos etc. include:

Sex – male/female/unknown

Species – scientific name

Individual identification numbers

Enclosure – original enclosure (if animal is being transferred)

5


Population information – life history (e.g. births, deaths, transfers, parents of individual

and any other relevant population information)

Husbandry Information – enrichment used, changes in diet (if required), training and

conditioning used, changes in social-structure, levels of interaction with humans and

types of interactions

Medical Information – treatment received, physical condition, any previous injuries,

faecal samples and veterinary check information

Animal Information – notes on behaviour, reproductive behaviour and social interactions.

Other relevant information – additional information about original enclosure, local

climate and the location of the animal in the zoo.

To access the data held on records, generally you will need to be eligible to register as an

employee of the park/zoo/organisation. If you are employed by an organisation and you work

closely with animals, you will be expected to keep these records up to date by adding your own

data via the parks own record keeping system.

If you do not need this level of information, you will always find a range of relevant information

relating the species of animals you work on using credible online resources.

Prepared By Amjad Khan Afridi Date: 4th Oct, 2017

animals disease

Healthcare