Abstract
Animals are unable to communicate their disorders and irregularities through words. Therefore, color information of mucous membranes and body fluids discharged out of the body serves as an essential indicator of biological information on animals being medically treated. Under current practices, however, the description and recognition of the color information are influenced by subjective criteria applied by individual veterinary nurses. In this study, we developed a color scale for objective assessment of visible mucous membranes, urine and sera colors, and tested its usability. In the results, this color scale allowed veterinary nurses to gauge animal conditions effectively and worked well in situations where it was difficult to judge the color tone without the scale. Veterinary nurses realized the necessity of a standardized scale for assessing and sharing animal health color information. In conclusion, Application of the color scale to veterinary nursing is helpful for objective assessment and information sharing of visible mucous membranes, urine and sera colors.
