While the search results don’t directly address the role of exercise in preventing lameness in livestock, I can offer some general information about animal health and disease diagnosis.
General Animal Inspection
Before treating an unhealthy animal, it’s crucial to diagnose the disease through clinical findings and laboratory tests. A clinical examination assesses the animal’s physical condition, eating habits, alertness, and overall normal functioning. Veterinarians diagnose diseases by observing various characteristics, including appearance, behavior, body condition, respiratory movements, and the state of the skin, coat, and abdomen.
Diagnostic Significance of Animal Appearance and Behavior
An animal’s appearance can be diagnostically significant; for example, small size in a pig may result from retarded growth caused by the hog-cholera virus. Observing an animal’s behavior is valuable in diagnosing neurological diseases; muscle spasms in dogs may indicate lockjaw (tetanus), while nervousness and convulsions may suggest distemper. Subtle behavioral changes, however, may not be noticeable.
Respiratory Movements and Skin Condition
Respiratory movements are important diagnostic criteria; rapid breathing is common in young, small animals or those with higher-than-normal body temperatures. Specific respiratory movements are characteristic of certain diseases, such as those seen in horses with heaves (emphysema) or the abdominal breathing of animals suffering from painful lung diseases. The appearance of the skin and hair may indicate dehydration or the presence of parasites or infections.
Abnormal Activities and Postural Changes
Abnormal activities can have special diagnostic meaning; straining during urination may indicate bladder stones, while increased frequency of urination may be associated with kidney disease or bladder infections. Postural changes, such as a stiff stance in a horse with tetanus, can also provide evidence of a disease.
I am unable to provide more specific information about the role of exercise in preventing lameness in livestock with the provided search results.