DISEASES OF ANIMALS 935 



In all animals the temperature may rarely reach as high as 110° F., 

 but life will soon terminate at such. The temperature must be accurately 

 gotten with a thermometer inserted into the rectum for at least three 

 minutes. The clinical thermometer registers only from 95° to 110° F. and 

 is self-registering. This allows ample time for accurate reading and does 

 away with the errors of estimating fever by the sensation of touch. 



Temperatures should be taken throughout the course of the disease 

 and should be taken at about the same hour, once or twice daily. 



Fevers are measured by temperature and, in addition, by noting the 

 accompanying chill, the uneven surface temperature, the alteration of pulse 

 and respirations, the alteration of appetite and the general depression 

 produced. 



6. The Pulse. — The pulse or blood force in the arteries indicates the 

 frequency or rapidity of circulation, its rhythm or regularity and its quality 

 and character. 



The normal pulse rate for animals is for — 



Horses 30-40 



Cattle 40-60 



Swine 60-80 



Sheep 70-80 



The rapidity of circulation or pulse frequency varies and is easily 

 influenced by age, sex, external temperatures, exercise, the digestive 

 processes, and by disease. 



The regularity of the pulse beat is greatly modified according to the 

 state of health. 



The quality or character of the pulse is determined by the resistance 

 to pressure by the finger tips when placed over the accessible arteries. 



7. The Respirations. — The examination of the respiratory system 

 should be complete and thorough. The respirations are to be noted as to 

 frequency, the manner in which they are produced and by the various 

 chest sounds. The normal respiration of animals is as follows; : 



Horses 8-16 



Cattle 10-30 



Swine 10-20 



Sheep 12-20 



In health, the respirations are carried on noiselessly. There are certain 

 physiological or normal noises, as the snort and the blowing sound made by 

 horses when galloping. 



On the other hand, with abnormal conditions, there is the snoring 

 sound produced with the mouth partially open in semi-comatose animals 

 from any cause; a wheezing sound from the nostril when polyps, tumors 

 or thickening of the bones occur; gargling or gurgling sounds are produced 

 when mucus is present; and, finally, grunting sounds occur when the 

 abdomen is greatly distended. 



