Med. Weter. 81 (3), 108-114, 2025
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| ARKADIUSZ GRZECZKA, GRACJAN WOZNIAK, SZYMON GRACZYK, JOANNA WYSZKOWSKA, BARTŁOMIEJ M. JAŚKOWSKI, MAREK GEHRKE, JĘDRZEJ M. JAŚKOWSKI |
| Effect of rectal examination on the behavior of multiparous cows (Bos taurus taurus ) assessed on the basis of selected stress indicators |
| Rectal examination can be a source of stress for cows. However, the literature lacks descriptions of cow reactions to a short or prolonged rectal examination, which undoubtedly occur in veterinary practice. Hence, the purpose of this work was to determine changes in the heart rate, blood pressure, and eye temperature values in multiparous cows resulting from rectal examinations of varying duration. The data were collected during the work of an experienced veterinarian. Heart rate, eye temperature, and blood pressure were evaluated in multiparous cows before and after rectal examination. In group I of cows (n = 12), the effect of a short per rectum examination (of up to 1 minute) was evaluated. In group II (n = 12), the examination lasted 3 minutes, and in group III (n = 12) it took less than 15 seconds. Cows responded with an increase in the number of beats per minute and a minimal increase in eye temperature. In the group subjected to the shortest examination (group III), no statistically significant increase in the heart rate was observed (from 75.4 ± 6.7 to 76.7 ± 7.3), while its increase differed minimally between the cows subjected to the normal examination (group I) (from 76.2 ± 6.7 to 82.4 ± 3.7) and those that had undergone the prolonged examination (group II) (from 72.9 ± 3.6 to 81.7 ± 4.5). The lowest increase in eye temperature was also noted in group III (from 36.2 ± 0.3 to 36.2 ± 0.3). Similarly, no change in pressure was observed in group III (from 103.75 ± 11.92/57.25 ± 18.1 to 102.0 ± 5.87/58.75 ± 7.39), but significant changes were observed in group I (from 79.0 ± 6.82/49.25 ± 3.63 to 100.5 ± 5.94/50.75 ± 5.97). The data obtained expand the knowledge of the behavior of cows during rectal examination. Our results are also a valuable source of information for veterinarians involved in the reproduction of domestic cattle. |
| Keywords: heart rate, blood pressure, eye temperature, cattle, stress, rectal examination |