Ag 234 – Animal Health

Vital signs assignment

Using reliable sources available to you, indicate what is considered normal for each of the
following animal species. The blank row should be completed for a species of your choice.
Species Pulse (beats per minute) Respiration (breaths per Temperature
minute)
40-70 10-30 (beef); 18-28 100.4-103.1°F
Cattle (dairy)

60-90 12-20 102.2-104.9

Sheep

60-100 8-18 100.4-104°F

Swine

28-40 8-16 99.5-101.3°F

Horses

250-300 12-36 105-109.4

Chickens

60-90 12-20 102.2-104.9

Goats

Your choice 150-250 40-80 98.5-100.4

of species:
Chinchilla

Why there is always a range given for the normal values? What are some of the factors that
contribute to the variable levels for each measurement?

There are ranges given because the numbers may change due to different factors. The factors
could include something such as exercise, stress, the external temperature, age, and size. For
example, an older animal will typically have a higher temperature than a younger one.