Distinguishing Diseases Based Upon Which Body System They Affect
1.3.2. Distinguishing Diseases Based Upon Which Body System They Affect An important first step in treating a sick animal is to identify the body system(s) affected. For instance:
| This animal has diarrhea. Diarrhea is usually caused by diseases which affect the digestive system. Therefore, the AHA should concentrate on diseases that attack the digestive system. | This animal has fluids running from its nose and it is breathing abnormally. It probably has a disease in its respiratory system. Therefore, the AHA should concentrate on those diseases that attack the respiratory system. |
But remember:
| Some diseases affect more than one system at a time! |
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| Some animals suffer from more than one disease at a time! |
For example, an ox is thin and has diarrhea. It may be suffering from both malnutrition and internal parasites, and must therefore, be treated for both.
| For this reason, it is important to thoroughly examine the animal, to try to detect and treat all of its ailments! |