An improved method of appraising a mammal's health includes the steps of: measuring the values of a plurality of factors indicative of different health parameters at a first time; normalizing the measured values of said factors at the first time; and arranging such normalized measured values at said first time in a first sequence; thereby to have said first sequence represent the mammal's health at the first time. The method may include the additional steps of: measuring the values of such plurality of factors at a second time; normalizing the measured values of such factors at the second time; arranging such normalized measured values in a second sequence; and comparing the second sequence with the first sequence or with a similar sequences from a plurality of similar animals recording the same primary afflicting condition.