Evaluating mucous membranes in disease diagnosis
Kansas State University shares feedlot study showing probability of death by mucous membrane quality
29 October 2024
1 minute read
By: Mucous membrane quality is a measure used by animal health professionals to evaluate many body systems in sick cattle including the circulatory and respiratory systems. The evaluation consists of describing the color, temperature, and moisture levels of the mucous membranes in the mouth or on the vulva/prepuce. The graph below demonstrates results from a study completed in sick feedlot cattle.
In this study, cattle with normal mucous membranes (pink, warm, and moist to the touch) were less likely to die later on in the feeding phase when compared to cattle with an abnormal mucous membrane quality (differing superscripts indicate a statistically significant difference). This means that evaluation of a sick animal's mucous membranes could help determine outcome of disease.
