College of Agriculture and Agri- Industries

Animal Science

Name: Score:_________________
Schedule:Jan 2,2022 Date: Jan 2,2022

Exercise No. 2
Measurements of the Pulse Rate, Respiration Rate, and Body Temperature
of Some Farm Animals

Introduction
* Deviations from an animal's normal vital signs may indicate a health condition
that needs to be addressed, despite the fact that a variety of factors such as exercise or
extreme temperatures in the surrounding environment may influence an animal's body
pulse rate, temperature, and respiration rate. As a result, keeping track of an animal's
pulse rate, temperature, and respiration rate (PTR) can give you a decent idea of how
well it's doing. Changes in PTR levels that aren't normal might signal a health issue and
assist establish whether expert veterinarian treatment is required.

Objectives
1. To have a working knowledge of the methods in determining Pulse Rate,
Temperature and Respiration Rate ( PTR) of the different farm animals.
2. To know the normal PTR ranges and averages of the major farm animals;
and
3. To compare the pulse rate, respiration rate and body temperature obtained in
the exercise with the normal values in corresponding animals
Materials
 Live Animals
 Rectal Thermometer
 Stethoscope

Methodology

I. Pulse Rate Determination

Carabao. Locate and feel the expansion of the coccygeal artery at the base of the tail.
Count and record the pulse ratio for 30 seconds, then multiply by two to get the pulse
rate/minute. Get three recordings and compute the average.
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Goat/sheep. Locate and feel the expansion of the femoral artery at the anterior border
of the pubis. Count and record the pulse for 30 seconds then multiply by two to get the
pulse rate/ minute. Get three readings and compute for the average.

Pig. Measure the heartbeat of the pig by auscultation, that is by using a stethoscope
held in place at the chest area. Count and record the heartbeat for 30 seconds then
multiply by two to get the beats/ minute. Get three readings and compute for the
average.
Supplemental Information

Pulse. Each systolic contraction of the left ventricle of the heart, forces more blood into
the arteries and arterioles which are already filled with blood under diastolic pressure.
This additional blood at each systole dilates the arteries. The waves of the systolic
pressure, which starts at the heart and spreads throughout the arterial network is called
the pulse or pulse wave. It can be felt in arteries near the surface of the body,
particularly if the artery can be pressed against an underlying bone or other solid
structure. The pulse is determined to measure the rate or heartbeat. The character of
the pulse can be of value in the diagnosis of circulatory disease.

Normal ranges of pulse rate per minute in different classes of animals are as
follows:

Elephant---------------- 30-45
Horse-------------------- 38
Carabao & Cattle----- 54
Goat--------------------- 78
Chicken----------------- 200-400
Mouse------------------ 600

Respiration. Respiratory system refers to the structures involved in the exchange of

gases between blood and the lungs and other organ systems. The respiratory system
consists essentially of the lungs and the passages that enable air to get in and out of
the lungs. These passages include nostrils, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, and trachea.
Supplying oxygen to the blood and removing carbon dioxide from the blood are the two
major functions of the respiratory system.

The normal ranges of respiratory rate per minute in farm animals are as follows:

Horse 27-28
Carabao 24-27
Cattle 27-28
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Sheep 35-38
Pig 29-33
Fowl 15-30
Body Temperature. The body temperature of an animal is the resulting balance of heat
production and heat dissipation. The temperature of the body of a homeothermic
animal, such as farm animals, remain almost exactly constant within +/- 1˚F, day in and
day out except when an individual develops a febrile illness. Stability of body
temperature is a prerequisite for high productivity in animals. Rectal temperature is a
fair index of the internal temperature of the animal. The body temperature varies
somewhat with exercise and extremes of temperature of the surroundings as well as
age, sex, season, time of the day, feeding, drinking, and digestion.

The normal rectal temperature ranges of the different classes of animals are as
follows

Primates

Horses

Elephants

Ruminants 36-38˚C or 98-101˚F

Dogs

Rats and
Mice

Cats

Pigs
38-40˚C or 100-103˚F

Rabbits

Chicken

Turkey
40-41˚C or 103-106˚F
Goose

Duck
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Quail

Turkey 41-43˚C or 106-109˚F

Sparrow

Observation and Assessment Questions

1. Tabulate the results of your readings and compare it to the standard

measurement. Give your observation and conclusion. What are the factors
affecting the values in obtaining respiration rate, pulse rate and body temperature
of farm animals?

ANIMAL (Goat)

Respiration Rate Temperature

Reading Pulse Rate (min-1)
(min-1) (C˚)

1st 15 75 101 °F

2nd 13 78 100.8 °F

3rd 16 75 100 °F

Average 44 228 301.8°F

2. Explain the interaction between the physical environment to the production and
reproduction functions of the animals.

Animal behavior is influenced by the availability of survival resources such as

food and shelter, as well as situational factors like as proximity to human
activities. In other cases, the same kind of animal will act radically differently in a
forest than in an urban setting.
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3. How ambient temperatures affect heat loss of farm animals?

The quantity of air movement and the temperature of the environment to which
the animals were exposed influenced the amount of heat loss

4. How animals obtain heat?

they acquire their heat from the sun, their body temperature changes in
response to the weather outside. Their body temperature will gradually drop to 50
degrees Fahrenheit if it is 50 degrees Fahrenheit outside.

5. How does animal body regulate temperature? How do temperature changes

affect individual molecules and enzyme function?

In general, when body temperature rises, so does enzyme activity. Enzyme

activity doubles with every 10 degrees Celsius increase in temperature, up to a
point. High heat (about 50o C for mammals) causes body proteins, including
enzymes, to denature and lose their function.

6. What are Ectotherms, Heterotherms, and Endotherms, how do they regulate

temperature?

ectotherms, heterotherms, and endotherms are the animals that regulate their body
temperature by generating heat within. Regardless of the circumstances, their body
temperature tends to remain constant. Ectotherms rely mostly on external heat
sources, and their body temperature fluctuates with the ambient temperature.
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References

FRANDSON,R.D 1986. Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals. 4 th Edition. Lea

&Febiger, Philadephia. 536pp.

GUYTON, A.C. 1991. Textbook in Medical Physiology, 8 thEdition. W.B. Sanders and
Co., Philadephia.

VILLEGAS, V.E. 1969. Fundamentals of Animal Husbandry. Authors Associated, Inc.

Manila.

DUKE, G.E. 1977. Duke’s Physiology of Domestic Animals. 9 th ed. Melvin J. Swenson,
Ed. 330 pp.