How to Check if a Qurbani Cow or Goat is Healthy Before You Buy — Complete Guide for Pakistan 2026

Yaar, let me tell you about the time I got completely fooled at the mandi in Shahdara.

It was two days before Eid ul Adha, maybe 2019. I was in a hurry, the seller was very confident, and the cow looked big and healthy to me. Subhan Allah, I thought, what a find. Paid around Rs. 85,000 and brought it home feeling like I'd made a great deal.

By the next morning the animal was off its feed, runny nose, just standing there looking miserable. A vet friend of mine came over, took one look, and said yaar you bought a sick cow. The stress of transport plus whatever it already had just made everything worse overnight. That Eid was not my finest moment.

So now, before I spend a single rupee at any Qurbani mandi Pakistan, I do a proper check. And I want to share what I've learned — not as a vet, I'm very much not a vet — but as someone who has made enough expensive mistakes to know what to look for.

Pehle Aankhein Dekho — Always Start With the Eyes

The eyes tell you a lot, honestly. A healthy cow or goat has bright, clear eyes that look alert and responsive. If the eyes look dull, sunken, watery, or have any kind of crust or discharge around them, that's your first warning sign.

Sunken eyes especially — in the mandi heat of Lahore or Karachi — usually mean the animal is dehydrated. It's been on a truck for days, hasn't had proper water, and is already stressed. Get a proper veterinary opinion before buying anything that shows this.

Naak Aur Mooh Ka Haal

A little moisture on the nose is normal and fine. What you don't want is thick green or yellow mucus, constant dripping, or any kind of laboured breathing. Put your ear near the chest area — healthy breathing is quiet and regular. If you hear any rattling or wheezing, bilkul mat lo, walk away.

Also open the mouth if you can. Gums should be pink, not pale. Pale gums can mean anaemia or worse, and honestly a vet should confirm this before you make any decision. Check around the mouth and the hooves too for any blistering — foot-and-mouth disease is not uncommon in Pakistani mandis and spreads fast.

Chalney Ka Andaaz — Watch It Walk

Before you get close to examining anything, just watch the animal move for a minute. Ask the seller to walk it. A healthy goat or cow puts even weight on all four legs. Any favouring, any limping, any reluctance to move — note it. For the exact Islamic eligibility requirements around lameness, consult your local aalim — I'm just talking about health here. But a limping animal is also usually a suffering animal, and that alone should make you think twice.

Umar Ka Masla — The Age Trick That Fools Everyone

This one got me for years. Sellers at Qurbani mandi in Multan, Gujranwala, Okara — everywhere — will tell you whatever age gets the best price. The teeth don't lie though.

For a goat or sheep, the minimum Qurbani age is one year. If you see two large permanent front teeth replacing the smaller baby teeth in the centre, the animal is at least a year old. If all teeth are still small and even, it's under a year. For a cow, you're looking for at least two permanent incisors for the two-year minimum. I'm no doctor and this isn't a perfect science, so if you're spending serious money — anything above Rs. 1.5 to 2 lakh — get a vet to confirm the age properly.

Coat Aur Jism Ki Condition

Run your hand along the side. The coat should feel relatively smooth. Patchy hair loss, rough thickened skin, or areas that look crusty can mean mange or ringworm — both very treatable but a sign of poor care. Part the hair in a few spots and check for ticks or lice. A heavily parasitised animal is usually also carrying internal parasites, which affects everything from weight to overall condition.

Speaking of weight — if you can count the ribs from three feet away, the animal is underweight. A genuinely healthy Qurbani cow or goat has muscle coverage. Skinny does not mean it'll fatten up quickly at home. It usually means something else is going on.

Ek Cheez Jo Log Ignore Karte Hain

Look at the ground around where the animal has been standing. Formed, solid dung means a healthy digestive system. Loose, watery, or bloody stool means a digestive infection or parasite problem that transport stress will only make worse. I know it's not glamorous. Check anyway.

If you want to take proper professional help into the mandi with you — or get a quick second opinion while you're standing there — you can book a video consultation with a verified vet through frenchiefomo.com. I've done this myself when I was in a smaller city like Sahiwal and couldn't find a reliable local vet nearby. Theek hai, technology ka faida uthao.

Disclaimer: This blog is based on personal experience and general awareness only. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If you have concerns about your animal's health, please consult a qualified veterinary doctor. You can find verified vets near you at frenchiefomo.com.