Animal Health and Disease Management Vocabulary

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering animal health, vital signs, infectious pathogens, immune system responses, disease transmission, biosecurity, and body condition scoring.

Temperature (Vital Sign)

The internal temperature of an animal, measured using a thermometer.

Pulse

The heart rate of an animal, measured by pressing on a blood vessel.

Respiration Rate

The rate of breathing measured by observing the rise and fall of the body cavity in breaths per minute.

Normal Vital Signs of Cattle

An average rectal temperature of $101.5\,^\circ\text{F}$ (range $100.4\text{--}102.8\,^\circ\text{F}$), a pulse rate of $60\text{--}70\,\text{rate/min}$, and a respiration rate of $10\text{--}30\,\text{rate/min}$.

Normal Vital Signs of Horses

An average rectal temperature of $100.5\,^\circ\text{F}$ (range $99.0\text{--}100.8\,^\circ\text{F}$), a pulse rate of $32\text{--}44\,\text{rate/min}$, and a respiration rate of $8\text{--}16\,\text{rate/min}$.

Disease

Any condition that causes the systems of a plant or animal to not function properly.

Infectious Disease

A disease caused by living microorganisms (pathogens) invading the animal's body, which is usually contagious.

Cocci

Round, spherical-shaped bacteria, such as Staphylococci (which causes mastitis in cattle) and Streptococci (which causes distemper and meningitis).

Bacilli

Rod-shaped bacteria that cause serious diseases such as Anthrax, Blackleg, and Tuberculosis.

Spiral Bacteria

Bacteria shaped like spirals or corkscrews that cause diseases such as Leptospirosis, Vibriosis, and Spirochetosis.

Viruses

Entities made of cellular materials but lacking a nucleus or organelles, which cannot grow or reproduce outside of a living cell.

Virus Replication

The process by which an invading virion uses host cell energy, organelles, and ribosomes to replicate viral DNA and release new viral particles.

Protozoa

Single-celled microorganisms that cause parasitic diseases such as Trichomoniasis and Coccidiosis.

Antibiotics

Medications used to control bacterial infections (ineffective against viruses), typically administered for $7\text{--}10\,\text{days}$.

Phagocytes

White blood cells produced in bone marrow that act as soldiers and trash trucks by destroying pathogens and clearing dead cells.

Lymphocytes

White blood cells produced in lymph glands that react to foreign substances by releasing antibodies to neutralize pathogens.

Antigens

Foreign substances, such as viruses, bacteria, or toxins, that trigger the immune system to release antibodies.

Antibodies

Chemicals released by lymphocytes in response to antigens to kill or inactivate foreign pathogens.

Secondary Immune Response

An immune reaction triggered upon secondary antigen exposure that produces a larger and faster antibody response via memory cells.

Active Immunity

More or less permanent immunity acquired naturally through contracting and recovering from a disease, or artificially through vaccination.

Passive Immunity

Temporary immunity passed to a young animal, such as through antibody-rich colostrum, until its own immune system matures.

Zoonotic Transmission

The spread of disease agents between animals and humans.

Aerosol Transmission

Pathogen transmission through inhaled air, mitigated by increasing animal distance and maximizing farm ventilation.

Fomite

Inanimate objects (such as equipment, vehicles, or footwear) that harbor pathogens and transmit disease between animals.

Body Condition Score (BCS)

A standard numerical measurement of body fat deposits used to evaluate an animal's dietary adequacy and overall health status.

Cattle BCS Anatomical Reference Points

Key physical landmarks evaluated during body condition scoring in cattle: the Back, Tail Head, Pins, Hooks, Ribs, and Brisket.

Poultry Body Condition Scoring

A $1\text{--}5$ scale evaluating keel bone prominence and breast muscle development ranging from Emaciated ($1$) to Obese ($5$).

Rabbit Body Condition Scoring

A $1\text{--}5$ scale assessing palpability of the spine, ribs, and hip bones, as well as dewlap size under the chin.

Camelid Body Condition Scoring

A $1\text{--}5$ scale measuring spinal slope angle (ideal at $45^\circ$ for adult camelids), rib palpability, and chest contour.