(a) A cattle farmer notices that several animals in a herd are showing signs of poor health. State four signs that indicate an animal may be suffering from ...

(a) Four signs that indicate an animal may be suffering from ill health (any four): [4]

1. Loss of appetite or reduced feed intake. [1]
2. Loss of body condition, visible weight loss, or emaciation. [1]
3. A dull, rough, or staring coat (the hair stands on end rather than lying flat and glossy). [1]
4. Isolation from the rest of the herd, standing apart, or reluctance to move. [1]

Other acceptable signs: discharge from eyes or nose; diarrhoea or abnormal droppings; reduced milk yield; pale mucous membranes (indicating anaemia); coughing; swollen joints or lameness; elevated body temperature.

(b) Three effects of internal parasites on beef cattle productivity (any three): [3]

1. Reduced weight gain: Internal parasites (e.g. roundworms, liver fluke) compete with the host for nutrients absorbed from digested feed, diverting energy and protein away from muscle growth. [1]
2. Anaemia: Blood-feeding parasites such as Haemonchus (barber's pole worm) remove blood from the gut lining, causing anaemia that reduces the animal's energy and capacity for growth. [1]
3. Damaged gut lining: Worms attach to and damage the intestinal wall, reducing the surface area available for nutrient absorption, so even adequate feed is poorly utilised. [1]

Other valid effects: reduced feed conversion efficiency; liver damage from liver fluke reducing protein metabolism.

(c) Administering an oral anthelmintic dose: [2]

1. Restrain the animal securely, for example in a crush or race, to prevent it from moving. [1]
2. Insert the nozzle of the drenching gun into the side of the mouth, over the back of the tongue, and administer the correct measured dose slowly. Delivering slowly prevents choking or aspiration of the liquid into the lungs. [1]