Husbandry Unit 11.2: 

Technical Notes

Note: Numbers in brackets refer to illustrations in the Extension Materials.

Diagnosis of diseases can be made difficult and delayed in the absence of appropriate information.  Such a situation can be prevented by maintaining records in respect of each animal

Appropriate records will help in early diagnosis of disease and losses will be minimized.

The information to be recorded will include:

- Dates of vaccinations (and the disease vaccinated against).
- Dates on which any abnormal behaviour, secretions, excretions are seen and nature of such abnormality.
- Dates of any tests carried out and the results.
- Dates of heat and the type and duration of discharges e.g. blood stained, purulent etc.
- Dates of calving and any abnormalities observed.
- In the case of bulls, the dates of service and the identification of cows served.
- First aid measures adopted, treatment given etc with dates and a brief description of the condition treated.