Is it necessary to maintain a medical record for every individual animal in a herd?

Maintaining a medical record for every individual animal in a herd can be unnecessary in many cases, especially when dealing with large groups of animals. Herds can often be managed using collective records that summarize health information, treatments, and vaccinations at the group level. These collective records can help track overall herd health trends, monitor disease outbreaks, and assist in management decisions without the need to document extensive details for each animal separately.

In situations where individual animals do not require specific medical attention, or when the herd is generally healthy and well-managed, it is efficient and practical to maintain collective records. Therefore, while individual records may be important for specific cases, collective records serve the purpose of documenting health information adequately for herd management purposes. This approach is also aligned with many veterinary practices and guidelines, emphasizing the importance of balancing thorough record-keeping with efficiency in herd management.