Physiology Value of Breath, Pulse and Body Temperature of Cattle

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Jl. Fauna 2, Karangmalang Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 55281
² Department of Reproduction and Obstetric, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Jl. Fauna 2, Karangmalang Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 55281

^* Corresponding author: indarjulianto@ugm.ac.id

Abstract

Body temperature, respiratory rate, and pulse rate are required as the basis for determining the health status of cows. This study aims to measure the respiratory rate, pulse rate and body temperature of healthy beef cattle. A total of 25 mixed-breed beef cattle aged more than 1.5 years were used in this study. All cows were physically examined, their breath, and pulse frequency per minute were calculated, and their body temperature was measured by measuring rectal and vaginal temperature. The results showed that all the cows examined were in good health, characterized by a good appetite, and had normal activities. Cows had a respiratory rate of 20 ‒ 44 times/minute with an average of 32.6 ± 6.8 times/minute, and a pulse frequency of 76 ‒ 96 times/minute with an average of 84.2 ± 5.4 times/minute. Measurement of body temperature of cows per vagina was 37.9 ‒ 39.4 °C with a mean of 38.53 ± 0.42 °C, while per rectal showed 37.7 ‒ 39.2 °C with a mean of 38.49 ± 0.38 °C. The results of temperature measurements using the two methods did not show a significant difference. It was concluded that the respiratory rate of 20 ‒ 44 times/minute, pulse frequency of 76 ‒ 96 times/minute, and body temperature of 37.7 ‒ 39.4°C were the physiological parameters of the healthy mixed-breed cow.