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Physical Examination of a Dairy Cow
By Dr. Guy Jodarski, DVM

This article was first printed in the March/April 2010 issue of the Organic Broadcaster, published by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service.

Successful livestock producers and herdsmen are blessed with good powers of observation. They know when their animals are doing well and when they are not. The ability to sense whether a change in feeding or management is having a positive or negative impact on the herd should extend beyond typical measures of production (like daily pounds of milk per cow). A good manager can see when the herd is being stressed even before it shows up in the bulk tank milk weight. Likewise, a positive change can show up as cows being more relaxed or healthy even though milk production remains unchanged. The ability to see beyond production numbers is to some extent intuitive (a God-given ability or gift), and different people do better with certain types of animals. However, if one applies him- or herself, one can often improve their powers of observation. We will outline here some of the things to watch for in cattle so you can notice whether a change is having a good or bad effect on your herd.

Observational Overview
The attitude is the first thing that one should take note of when observing any animal, or group of animals. Are the cows alert, relaxed, depressed or nervous? Does the individual carry itself with ease, what is the ear position, does the cow appear sluggish? An animal’s attitude is an important overall indicator of health and vigor. One should be careful to initially observe the animal(s) in question from a distance so as to not influence their behavior. It is best if the animal does not know it is being watched. Calves that are feeling ill will often hang their heads and cough sporadically- if the same group is approached in a direct (threatening) manner they will often perk up and appear normal (and stop coughing!).

The next detail to evaluate is physical appearance. The eyes and hair coat are good places to start. Eyes should be clear and bright to indicate good health. In contrast, a dull or cloudy eye tells you that the animal is probably not feeling well. Excessive discharge from the eye is abnormal and indicates either irritation, infection or both. One can often get an idea of the state of hydration or dehydration by looking at the eye position in the eye socket. Sunken eyes usually indication dehydration and a need to get fluids into the patient. The severity of dehydration often correlates with with how badly the eyes are recessed.

The hair coat should have a glossy appearance or sheen to it. Dull hair coats and faded colors often indicate nutritional deficiencies and/or parasitism. Patches of missing hair or skin sores point to even more serious health issues. Livestock that consume free choice kelp usually have very good, shiny hair coats. This may help them to resist infection problems from external parasites such as lice.

The next important area to consider is the appearance of the feet and legs. This is particularly important in the case of dairy cattle, since they can be at risk if fed a diet lacking in forage. The feet and legs should be straight with a small “set” to the joint angles. There should be no noticeable swellings or sores present. If one has doubt as to whether a part of the foot or leg appears normal, use the opposite leg on the same animal as a reference point. Attempt to observe the cow walking, as this will often tell you much more than when she is standing still.

The last item to consider in the overview of the animal is the manure. Manure quality and quantity tell us much about the state of digestion and health of the individual. Scant, dry feces indicate a slowing of digestion and/or dehydration. Loose, watery manure or diarrhea often indicates indigestion or bowel irritation. Calves and other youngstock will frequently show soiling around the tail area if they are suffering from chronic diarrhea. This can be an indication of internal parasites, such as coccidia or worms. The manure condition of a group of cows can also be used as an aid to evaluate the feeding program for the group. Undigested feed particles (grain pieces or long fiber) indicate the digestion is not as complete or efficient as it should be.

Physical Exam- The Cow

Start with TPR
The first step to completing a physical examination after visual observation is to measure the body temperature, pulse (heart rate) and respiratory rate. This is known as the TPR (temp., pulse, respiration) for short. Temperature should be measured using a digital or Mercury-free thermometer placed in the rectum. (Mercury thermometers should be avoided as they can cause serious contamination problems if they break.) The normal temperature of a cow is about 101.5 degrees F (the range can be from 100 to almost 103 degrees). Temperatures about 104 F indicate a fever and may require action to help bring the body temperature down. The normal heart rate, or pulse, is about 60 beats per minute for a cow. Respiration (breathing) rate is normally about 30 per minute. Like body temperature, increased heart rate and respiration rate often indicate health problems.

Normal (cattle) TPR
Temperature- 101.5 F (101 to 102.5)
Heart rate- 60 beats/min (50 to 70)
Respiration rate- 30 breath/min (24 to 48)

Some increase in heart and respiration rate is normal during certain times; a heifer that becomes excited and is afraid will have an increased heart rate, cows’ breathing also becomes more rapid (often doubles) in hot weather. One needs to take the situation into account when making these measurements. A heart rate of 100 or greater generally means serious trouble, especially when combined with other signs (such as sunken eyes or a hard quarter with watery milk).

Rumen Motility- feel the wave
Good rumen function if critical for optimum cow health. The rumen is the engine that pulls the train (powers the system) of beef and dairy production. The rumen is much more than a large digestion vat that can convert high fiber (generally indigestible) feed into energy rich fuel for the cow, it is an ecosystem that depends on the regular intake of feed, water, and other nutrients in the right proportions to attain best performance. Rumen health is directly linked to cow health. Cattle need a strong, healthy rumen to thrive. Observing rumen motility (movement) acts as a “window” that allows one to see how well the rumen is working. A healthy rumen has a strong wave-like contraction twice per minute.

Approach the cow from the left side to observe rumen motility. The rumen is the largest part of the cow’s digestive system and it occupies most of the left side. The paraumbar fossa (PLF) is the triangle formed behind (above) the last rib, its’ other two sides are the ends of the short ribs (loin) forming the top, and a line from the front end of the hook bone (large hip bone) back to the last rib.

Gently place your hand in the PLF and wait for a rumen contraction to be felt. The movement of the rumen will lift the hand momentarily and then drop it back as the smooth muscle contraction travels past. This process will repeat itself about every 30 seconds in a healthy cow. If the contractions are slow or weak the rumen is probably not working properly. A complete absence of contractions is cause for serious concern. If you are unsure whether the rumen motility of a cow is normal, check one or two cows that are eating and feeling well, repeating the exam described above, to get a good feel for what normal rumen motility is.

Auscultation- Listening In
The act of listening to body organs is called auscultation. Veterinarians include auscultation as an important part of the physical examination and generally use a stethoscope for this purpose. Many herdsmen have been trained in this technique and stethoscopes are being used more around livestock operations than in the past. Our intention is not to replace veterinary care provided by a licensed professional, but rather to empower livestock farmers and their employees with the right tools to make better decisions about animal care. Knowing when to call for professional assistance is important. If you are unsure of how serious an animal’s condition is or how to help the animal, please call your local veterinarian for assistance.

Rumen, Stomach and Intestines
Start by listening in the left PLF for the rumen with the stethoscope. This is the same area described above for feeling rumen movement. Rumen contractions can be heard as a rumbling sound that grows louder as the contraction wave moves toward the PLF. Practice listening to rumen contractions on healthy cows to get an idea of what they sound like. It is easier to detect difference in rumen motility by auscultation than by feel. Slow or weak rumen sounds mean that the rumen is not working properly. In an off feed cow the rumen often slows down as the amount of feed available for fermentation decreases. A drop in blood calcium (i.e. milk fever) will also slow down and weaken rumen motility. The absence of rumen sounds is a serious finding. It means that either the rumen has stopped moving or something (like a DA) has pushed the rumen away from a body wall so that it can no longer be heard. In either case there is a need to take action to correct the situation. The rumen needs to be kept working to keep the cow alive and productive.

It has been often said that a cow has four stomachs. In reality there are 4 compartments that make up the first part of the bovine digestive system. The Rumen is the largest part (often holding 50 gallons or more in a large cow) where mixing and fermentation of feed occurs. Much of the energy content in the feed is absorbed through the rumen wall in the form of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). The Reticulum is a pouch on the front of the rumen that heavier feeds (and hardware) fall into, it is the place where the esophagus (food tube) empties into from the throat. The Omasum is the next compartment of the digestive tract. It absorbs extra water and some VFAs. The Abomasum is the fourth compartment and closely resembles the “true” stomach in other animals. The abomasum secretes acid for digestion and is prone to movement since it is not attached tightly to anything. The normal position of the abomasum is near the bottom of the abdomen (belly) on the right side. The rumen normally keeps the abomasum in place by not allowing the abomasum to move because the rumen is filled with a large volume of feed (forage). Any condition that decreases a cow’s appetite results in less rumen fill and this predisposes the cow to a displaced abomasum, or “DA.”

Continuing to ascult the abdomen, one should next listen for “pings” on the left side. Place the end of the stethoscope 3” to 4” forward from the last rib in line with the center of the PLF. Strike (thump) the cow’s side firmly with a finger snap. One should hear a dull thud when performing this percussion, about 3” to 4” from the stethoscope end. A high pitched ping or ringing sound indicates a hollow space with an empty gas-filled area under slight pressure. The sound has a resonant quality that sounds like a cold basketball bouncing on concrete. Pings are one of the signs of a DA. Repeat the percussion at different points in a circular pattern around the end of the stethoscope. Move the stethoscope and repeat the percussion until the area has been covered from the PLF forward to about the middle of the ribcage and half way down the side from the top to bottom. When only dull thuds are heard using this method, it is considered normal. If pings are heard it is possible that the cow has a DA.

One should next listen to the right side of the cow for intestine sounds. Listen in the area of the right PLF. Usually there is little or no sound, this is normal. Sometimes one can hear gas bubbles and gut movements if the cow has indigestion. Repeat the procedure for “pinging” the cow as described for the left side. A right side ping can indicate a right DA (RDA). An RDA is a true emergency, one must take action (surgery) to correct the condition or ship the cow as they will deteriorate quite rapidly if left untreated. Often one will hear lower pitched “boinks” when pinging the cow’s right side, these are not the same as a ping. A ping, in contrast, has a high pitch with a resonant quality. Boinks often are heard when loops of bowel located near the right PLF have small pockets of gas in them. Remember to practice listening to healthy cows to get a feeling for what is normal.

Heart and Lungs
The next part of the physical exam if to auscult the heart and lungs. The heartbeat is best heard from the left side. Place the stethoscope end near or under the point of the elbow (slightly forward) on the left side and listen for the “lub-DUB” sound of the heartbeat. The two part beat should be regular and strong but not pounding. Calculate the heart rate by counting the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiplying by four. Remember that the normal heart rate is about 60 beats per minute, and rates over 90 mean the cow is seriously ill.

Next, move the stethoscope end upwards from the point of the elbow to the middle of the chest and listen for breath sounds. The breathing will be loudest just behind the muscles of the front leg near the middle of the chest. This is above the place where the windpipe enters the chest and divides into smaller and smaller airways much the way a tree trunk branches into many limbs. Listen to a few breaths and move around the rib cage area, taking notice of how the breathing sounds. Normal breathing is smooth and fairly quiet- it is even hard to hear in some cows with a large, thick chest. Loud raspy or crackling sounds are not normal and may indicate pneumonia. Wheezes and rubbing noises are also a bad sign. Spend some time listening to the breathing and heartbeat of several cows and you will have a much better feel for what is normal and what is not.

Udder and milk
We will continue the physical exam by checking the cow for udder problems and mastitis. A quick visual exam often reveals enlarged quarters or injuries to the glands or teats. Palpate any quarter that looks swollen or red- heat is a good indication of inflammation. The degree of hardness of a quarter also indicated how severe the mastitis is. Be careful when checking injuries or swollen quarters as the cow may kick in reaction to pain.

Check the milk next by stripping some from each quarter into a strip cup or area that can be easily cleaned. Look for clots, chunks, blood, or a watery secretion. A California Mastitis Test (CMT) should be run to see how many quarters are affected and how they compare. Every dairy farm should have a CMT kit and use it on a regular basis. Early detection and treatment of mastitis is critical to achieving a high cure rate, especially when using organic methods.

External Lymph Nodes
The cow has several superficial (just under the skin) lymph nodes that can be seen and/or felt. Enlarged lymph nodes can develop in response to infection in the local area or they can be a sign of serious systemic illness. Severely swollen lymph external nodes can be an indication of cancer in some cows. The most prominent lymph nodes in the cow are just ahead of the stifle joint on the cow’s side. These nodes are usually 1.5 to 2” long and 0.5 to 0.75” wide and can easily be located and palpated. A second pair (1 on each side) of lymph nodes is present just ahead of the point of the shoulder where the neck meets the body. A third set occurs above the rear quarters of the udder and can be felt from behind the cow. Enlargement of any of the superficial lymph nodes should be noted and watched over time to see if the lymph node(s) is/are getting larger or smaller with time.

Rectal Exam
The final part of the physical exam is to perform a rectal exam. Often this is one of the most valuable parts of the physical exam, in that it can yield a lot of useful information. The amount of manure and consistency say a lot about what a cow has been eating and how well the feed is being digested. A small amount of dry manure indicates that the cow has been off feed for a while. Watery diarrhea with undigested feed indicates serious indigestion. A number of internal organs can also be palpated during a rectal exam.

The uterus and ovaries are routinely checked by a veterinarian during reproductive exams. Dairymen that perform artificial insemination (AI) will be familiar with locating the cervix. Completion of an AI course offered by one of the cattle breeding companies is a good way to learn the basics of finding and manipulating the cervix. We recommend that one become familiar with the technique of AI before attempting uterine infusions. The size and fullness of the uterus in a fresh cow can indicate if there is an infection present. Palpation of the ovaries to determine stage of the estrus cycle, detection of cysts and pregnancy diagnosis are best left to your regular herd veterinarian.

Other organs that can be evaluated during a rectal exam include: the rumen, intestines, bladder and kidney. The rumen lies to the left side and often extends back into the pelvis. One should check the rumen size and the consistency of the contents (feed) during a rectal exam. A small, shrunken rumen with no obvious fiber mat present is an indication that the cow has not been eating for quite a while and needs some serious help to get the rumen functioning again. A cow with an overfilled rumen may indicate a blockage of the gut or damage to the nerves that make the gut work. Bloat of the rumen will also be quite obvious during a rectal exam. The intestines are located to the right of the midline and forward from the front of the pelvis. Normally they are not very obvious, as they tend to be soft and indistinct. Loops of bowel with gas and/or fluid under pressure can indicate a serious condition like an obstruction. Occasionally one can palpate a DA when doing a rectal exam (most often a right DA). Remember to palpate a few normal cows for comparison if you are unsure that what you are feeling is normal.

The pulse can be easily felt by turning the hand over (palm-side up) and feeling with the fingertips along the backbone at the front of the pelvis. The aorta travels from the heart to just below the backbone at the front of the pelvis, where it divides into the two main arteries that supply the back legs. The split of the aorta forms a V shape and the pulse should be quite strong at this point. A rapid, weak or irregular pulse can indicate serious problems of heart and circulation. There are also several small lymph nodes located near the V- normally these are difficult to feel. Enlarged lymph nodes in this area (ping pong to softball size) sometimes are an indication of cancer in the cow.

The bladder and left kidney can also be palpated during the rectal exam. The bladder is located directly below the reproductive tract. Size of the bladder is directly related to how much urine it contains and can range from baseball to basketball size. The bladder often feels like a ball that is very soft and pliable. A cow will sometimes urinate in response to moderate pressure applied to the bladder during a rectal exam. The lift kidney can be found under the backbone forward of the pelvis. Kidney infection often leads to swelling of the organ.

This completes the basic physical examination of the cow. We do not expect that every dairy farmer will have the desire to learn or master this material. Our intent is to give the animal caretaker or owner the tools they need to make well informed decisions concerning animal care. Always remember to work with your local veterinarian for disease prevention and treatment.

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