Answer to Question 1A healthy animal is contented. Alertness and the chewing of the cud in ruminant animals is a good
sign. A shiny hair coat, bright eyes, and pink membranes indicate health. Normal body discharges of
urine and feces are also evidence of health. Finally, healthy animals should have a normal body
temperature, pulse rate, and respiration rate.
Answer to Question 2The pulse rate for a large animal can be taken by holding your ear against the animal's chest or using a
stethoscope and listening to the heartbeat. The number of heartbeats in 1 minute is the pulse rate.
The respiration rate of an animal can be determined by watching its rib cage move. Counting the
number of breaths that the animal takes in 1 minute will indicate the rate of respiration.