Only a few days remain before Qurbani. Many people are thinking of buying cattle, buffalo, goats, sheep, dumba and camels for sacrifice, and the animal markets have already come alive. Alongside healthy cattle, many sick animals are also brought to the markets in the hope of selling them at higher prices, so it is wise to know a few things before buying. Animals can also be bought from farms, but buyers should still know how to recognise a healthy one.

Ahead of Eid, in the hope of good prices, dishonest traders start giving animals excessive doses of various drugs and chemicals several weeks in advance to fatten them. This makes excess water collect in the animal's body. Its kidneys, lungs, stomach and liver begin to fail, and the animal becomes seriously ill.

The body temperature of a healthy animal is 102 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. An animal with foot disease may have sores on its hooves and mouth; it will limp and will not want to eat. Many animals may also be infested with worms; such animals look pale and bony.

• The eyes of a healthy animal are bright and comparatively large.
• It chews the cud when at rest.
• It moves its ears and flicks flies away with its tail.
• It gets angry easily when disturbed.
• Its dung is normal, not loose.
• It looks lively, with shiny skin.
• The top of the nose feels moist.
• When food is offered, it quickly draws it in with its tongue.
• The hump on its back is thick, taut and free of marks.
• The thigh muscle of a healthy animal is firm.
• A healthy animal is keen to drink water.
• The ribs of a healthy animal show as ridges.
• Cattle aged two and a half to three years are good.

• If fattening drugs have been given, water collects in the body and it swells.
• The body of a sick animal gives way when pressed with a finger.
• Because of the excess weight, the animal cannot walk or move normally.
• The animal is extremely tired and drowsy.
• A sick animal breathes fast and seems to be panting.
• Saliva drips constantly from its mouth and it will not eat.
• The legs of a sick animal are soft and flabby.
• Its body temperature feels higher than normal.

Experienced buyers advise purchasing animals while it is still daylight, as it can be difficult to check these signs at night.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.