ABSTRACT
A successful program for the management of sick cattle must be simple and systematic. Sick animals must be easily identified and the treatment must be routine and require a minimum of judgment decisions by the working crew. The key elements in this program include: identifying sick cattle as soon as possible, keeping adequate records, treating sick animals systematically, evaluating sick cattle daily and changing treatment, if necessary, until an improvement is noted. Visible symptoms of illness include excessive nasal discharge, labored breathing, harsh deep coughing, moderate to severe depression, or bloody diarrhea. The assigned tag number, body temperature, and estimated body weight are recorded at the top of the card. The bovine respiratory diseases and diseases that result in diarrhea are the cause of 99% of the health problems during the first three week after arrival. The electronic thermometer is very useful for detecting animals with an elevated body temperature.
