Surface temperatures (neck, shoulder and leg) were measured in all animals, every 7 d, by an infrared thermometer (INCOTERM Digital Infrared Laser Thermometer Pointer—ST600, Porto Alegre, Brazil) orientated to the skin. The rectal temperature was measured by introducing a thermometer into the rectum of the animal for 1 min. The respiratory rate (breaths/minute) was obtained with the animal lying down by counting the flank movements of the animals for 15 s.