Introduction

Why are quality health checks important? The first line of defense against disease introduction at an animal event is a quality health check upon arrival, to confirm that animals are free of observable illnesses. 

There are a variety of contagious diseases that can easily spread amongst the animals commonly present at public events. Some diseases can be spread between animals of different species, whereas some diseases can only be spread within animals of the same species. 

Zoonotic diseases are those that can be transmitted between animals and people, and are a considerable health risk for event visitors and exhibitors alike (Conrad et al., 2017). Therefore, certifying the health of each animal involved in a public-facing event can protect the health of animals and people.  

This resource is designed for animal event organizers and superintendents to provide them with a thorough and step-by-step approach to conducting animal health checks for beef cattle. In addition, prior to attending an animal exhibition or event, exhibitors can use this resource to determine that an animal’s health may be suitable for its participation. 

Per the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, "…all animals and poultry entered at fairs and shows must be in good health and in proper physical condition and will be examined at the exhibition by the barn superintendent. Evidence of poor condition or infectious or contagious disease or failure to produce the necessary documents for health certification, vaccination or testing will result in ejection." (2025, p. 1). 

Certain conditions and observations noted within this fact sheet may not pose a significant public or animal health risk. In such cases, decisions regarding an animal's eligibility for exhibition should be made in consultation with event leadership and/or the on-call veterinarian.

Getting started

Health checks should be completed right outside the vehicle used for transportation. Do not permit the animal to walk through the fairgrounds, barns, or venue before confirming its health status; an unhealthy animal can spread disease during this commute.

 Wear gloves and change them in between groups of animals and after evaluating an animal with a suspected or confirmed health concern. Follow any additional policies advanced by fair or event leadership and the state Department of Agriculture. 

Identification

Check to confirm that the animal has a valid health certificate (within 30 days if from outside of New England, within the show season if from within New England). Also verify that the number on the ear tag matches the information recorded on the health certificate and entry forms. The official ID accepted for cattle is an electronically readable 840 RFID tag. They should be vaccinated against rabies in the state of Connecticut. 

General appearance

The animal should exhibit overall signs of thriftiness and health, including an appropriate body condition for its age, sex, and physiological state (i.e., growing, maintenance, lactation). The animal should be bright, alert, and responsive.  There should not be any hunching, indications of broken bones or injuries, abscesses (an accumulation of pus), or lethargy. The animal should also be able to walk straight with a normal gait and should not show signs of a head tilt.  

Nose, eyes, and mouth

The animal should not show any signs of respiratory distress (thumping or panting), coughing, or excessive discolored nasal discharge. The eyes should be clear and without any noticeable injury or discharge. The animal should not be squinting.

The animal should not be salivating excessively or grinding their teeth. If desired, teeth can be checked to confirm age and overall dental health (i.e., no abscesses or infections) while wearing gloves.

Skin

Inspect the animal's skin and hair for any abnormalities such as hair loss, scabbing, or thickened patches. Warts protruding from the skin (bovine papillomavirus) can be contagious and are typically removed before animals are exhibited. Locations where warts were removed should be healed before exhibition. 

Ringworm usually appears as round, hairless patches. If an animal has been treated for ringworm, the area should be fully healed before exhibition. Typically, healing is indicated when hair has started to regrow, and the affected area/lesion is dry and flat (Nolan, 2023). 

Animals with warts, open wounds, abscesses, infections, or active ringworm, regardless of size, should not be exhibited due to the risk of transmission. Additionally, animals should be checked for external parasites, including lice and mites.

Rear end

The animal should not show signs of current or recent diarrhea (scours). The rectum and vulva should be free of prolapsed/protruding tissue, blood, or abnormal discharge. Some clear to cloudy discharge is normal in females. Due to the risk of zoonotic diseases, animals at events should be free from placenta or afterbirth. 

The udder of nursing beef cows should be checked for signs of mastitis (an infection of the udder signified by warmth, swelling, hardness), injury or abnormal swelling.

Steers should be checked for infections from castration and to ensure that the testicles are completely absent or reduced in size. Bulls should be free of any testicular swelling or infection.

Hooves

The animal should bear weight on all four legs and should not exhibit any signs of lameness. Hooves should be sufficiently trimmed and well-maintained with no swelling, redness, foul odor, or signs of fluid (i.e., blood, puss). 

Infectious footrot is a concern in cattle, indicated by lameness and a foul smell (Biggs et al., 2016). Do not allow animals exhibiting these signs to enter the exhibition grounds.

Safety Precautions When Performing Health Checks

Conducting animal health checks can expose you to physical and biological risks. Always take caution when working with and around animals that you are unfamiliar with. Ask the exhibitor to assist you while handling the animal, especially while checking challenging areas like the feet or mouth. Wear clean gloves, and change them between herds or when a potentially contagious animal is touched. 

Boots can be disinfected between assessments on different herds, particularly if you are boarding trailers to conduct checks. Alternatively, boot covers can be worn and changed between herds. It is safest to wear a pair of shoes that you dedicate to agricultural events and other off-farm activities, and disinfect them afterwards so that you do not track home any contaminated material. 

Consider changing your clothes after completing health checks, especially if they have been soiled by feces and fluids like saliva, or if you encounter an animal exhibiting signs of illness. 

Wipe down any equipment such as flashlights or radios between assessments on animals that are not housed together.

What To Do If There Are Questions Or Concerns Regarding An Animal’s Health

As an animal exhibition or event decision-maker, you have a responsibility to ensure that all animals exhibited are healthy and will not pose risks to other animals or people. 

If you do encounter an animal that is demonstrating one or more signs of illness, the animal should not be permitted to enter the grounds or to be exhibited and should be separated from other animals immediately. 

The diseases of concern are often contagious; it is possible that all cattle from the same herd should be sent home depending on the situation and event policy. 

Politely explain, in detail, why the animal cannot be allowed to participate, and recommend that the owner contact their veterinarian to address the issue. Animals that do not pass health checks should be returned home; they should not be allowed to stay in a trailer during the event. 

If you encounter difficulties communicating with the individual or if the animal handler becomes hostile, ask an event organizer/leader for assistance. Although this conversation can be awkward and uncomfortable, it is necessary to keep people and animals healthy and safe. 

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express appreciation to members of the UConn Extension BE SAFE: Biosecurity Education to Safeguard Animals at Fairs and Events Team for assistance in conceptualizing this fact sheet. In addition to the authors, members of the BE SAFE Team include Maryann Fusco-Rollins, Emily Alger, Jennifer Cushman, and Bonnie Burr.  The BE SAFE Project and this fact sheet are supported by Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement. Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement supports programs, projects and events that are intended to strengthen Northeast agriculture, commercial fishing and forest products. This program is a combined effort of Farm Credit East and CoBank.

Resources

Biggs, R., Whitworth, B., Gilliam, J., Lalman, D., & Jones, M. (2016, October 1). Foot Rot in Cattle. Oklahoma State University. https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/foot-rot-in-cattle.html  

Connecticut Department of Agriculture. (2025). 2025 Connecticut Fair and Show Requirements. https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/doag/state-vet/2025/2025-ct-fair-requirements-update-42525_final-rem.pdf?rev=0f42b47c4ef049a1a90922af5c2df570 

Conrad, C. C., Stanford, K., Narvaez-Bravo, C., Callaway, T., & McAllister, T. (2017). Farm Fairs and Petting Zoos: A Review of Animal Contact as a Source of Zoonotic Enteric Disease. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, 14(2), 59–73. https://doi.org/10.1089/fpd.2016.2185 

Michigan State University Extension. (2019, July 30). Animal Check-In. https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/animal-check-in 

Nolan, L. (2023, May 25). How to Treat Ringworm in Cattle. Morning Ag Clips. https://www.morningagclips.com/how-to-treat-ringworm-in-cattle/?utm_source=chatgpt.com