WHERE TO TAP IN BLOATINGInsert the trocar and canula, or if these are not available a knife may be used. Make the puncture downward and forward and plunge the instrument into the rumen.
WHERE TO TAP IN BLOATING
Insert the trocar and canula, or if these are not available a knife may be used. Make the puncture downward and forward and plunge the instrument into the rumen.
Bloating may take one or two forms; a mild case in which recovery gradually follows, and a very severe form, where the only salvation is in tappingto release the gas. If it is an ordinary case of bloating, not very severe, ordinary remedies will give relief. Turpentine in doses of 8 or 10 tablespoonfuls is good. Some use 4 tablespoonfuls of hyposulphide of soda dissolved in water, with excellent results. Some veterinarians give doses consisting of 4 tablespoonfuls of aromatic spirits of ammonia in water as a drench. Ginger is frequently given, as much as 4 tablespoonfuls diluted in warm water as a drench. To keep the animal moving about is excellent.
In severe cases it is advisable to tap with the trocar and canula. Indeed, tapping is the last resort if you would save the animal. These are inserted on the left side of the skin and pushed into the rumen or paunch, the incision being made about half way between the point of the hip and the last rib. In introducing the trocar push in and down.
After the insertion is made, the trocar is withdrawn and the canula is left in to furnish an opening through which the gas can escape. In case the canula gets clogged with partially digested feed, insert the trocar so as to push away the material and withdraw it again. If the trocar and canula are not available, then use a pocket knife. Of course, be careful that the incision is not made too large.
Just a few simple precautions are suggested here as a prevention of this trouble. There is always danger from bloating when cattle or sheep are turned into green pastures, especially when not accustomed to such feed and especially when wet. It is advisable, therefore, to keep stock from the pasture until later in the day when the dew has disappeared. Stock should have their regular morning feed just as usual before being turned onthe pasture. They will have less greedy appetites, will not like to gorge themselves, and hence the trouble will not be brought on.
—When blood poisoning results from the entrance of bacteria into the circulation, it is termed septic infection. This means that the disease may be communicated to a healthy animal by inoculation. Thus, an operator in making a post portem examination may bring on blood poisoning because of an accidental prick of the skin. An animal may step on a nail or get a splinter in a muscle or under the skin, and become self-inoculated, in time becoming affected with septic infection. Consequently bacteria are the direct inducing factors. The chemical poisons produced as a result of the work of these bacteria, as those of putrefaction, may induce what is known as septicæmia. On the other hand where pus is produced, as in the abscesses which follow upon neglected wounds in joints, a form of blood poisoning is produced known as pyæmia. In either case blood poisoning may result, become very serious and may cause the death of the victim.
At first chills may be noticed, then a rise of temperature, quick respiration, rapid but weak pulse, and much prostration. All the time the appetite is disappearing, until it becomes lost. The mucous membranes of the eyes and nose take on a yellowish, red tint often showing spots or blotches of blood and the tongue becomes coated and clammy.
Quick treatment is necessary in every case of blood poisoning. As soon as noticed, the source should be treated with disinfectants, thereby arresting the supply of morbid matter. A strict employment of antiseptics, so as to destroy the bacteria, is the first essential. We look upon theprick from a rusty nail, or wound from a wire fence, or a dirty stable splinter, as matters of frequent occurrence, yet a great deal of danger lurks among these. They should be avoided as much as possible and in all cases immediately treated. As soon as the poison is admitted to the blood or tissue, the disease germs multiply and soon are present in great numbers. Had the wound been cleansed with an antiseptic like carbolic acid in the beginning, it would have been a simple matter and the poison would have been neutralized, and the ingress of the invaders made unattractive, if not altogether impossible.
In all cases of blood poisoning, look to a systematic and constant application of suitable lotions to the injured parts, to careful nursing, and to nourishing food. If the appetite has completely departed, it is often advisable to force food like eggs and milk into the stomach, so that the strength of the patient may never be dissipated or weakened. With this treatment should go pure fresh air, cleanliness and much sunshine. It usually is advisable to call a veterinarian as early as possible.
BOG SPAVINThe bulging outward of the soft tissues of the hock joint is due to the secretion of joint oil or lubricating liquid in abnormal amounts.
BOG SPAVIN
The bulging outward of the soft tissues of the hock joint is due to the secretion of joint oil or lubricating liquid in abnormal amounts.
—Sometimes, just after calving, bloody milk is observed. The cause is generally due to a rupture of the small blood vessels in the vicinity of the cells that secrete the milk. It may be due to a tiny accident of some kind or it may be the result of disease, localized in the udder. Bathing the udder with hot water will prove helpful and, until the milk is normal, frequent milkings are desirable. If the condition prevails for any length of time and the cow is not a very good one, it is just as well to fatten her and send her to the butcher.
—A condition of the urinepeculiar to certain diseases like Texas fever in cattle and azoturia in horses. In the latter disease the urine is quite turbid and dark in color, sometimes almost black.
—A round, smooth tumor at the front and on the inside of the hock. It is the result of sprains, bruises, or other injuries. When these injuries occur, too much joint oil is secreted, causing a bulging of the ligament. Lameness seldom accompanies a bog spavin. If lameness be present other structures are certain to be affected, and some pain and heat will be noticed, together with a stiffness of the joint.
Treatment consists of applications of cold water to the affected parts and a lotion made of 2 tablespoonfuls of acetate of lead in a quart of water. A blister made of 1 teaspoonful biniodide of mercury and 4 tablespoonfuls of lard rubbed in a little with the fingers and repeated in ten days or two weeks and continued for some months will correct the trouble. Wash the part having received the blister twenty-four hours after application. It is also advisable to tie the horse’s head while the blister is on, so that he cannot bite the part.
—SeeSpavin.
—The larvæ or grub of all common bot flies are thick, fleshy grubs and pass their life in some portion of the body. When they are fully developed they leave the body by some route and bore into the ground, where they go through another stage of their development known as the pupa stage. When this stage is completed they crawl out of the ground as a fly ready to deposit eggs.
—Everyone is familiar with the common nit fly and the yellow nit that is attached to the hair on almost all parts of the horse, but especially on the chest and legs. The young larvæ or even the egg may be transferred from these regions of the body into the mouth by the horse biting these parts. The grub passes into the stomach where it attaches itself to the mucous lining and continues its development. The bot is not so dangerous as it is popularly supposed to be. They may, when attached in large numbers to the right side of the stomach, interfere with digestion and be responsible for some of the digestive disorders and colics. They are uniformly present in the stomach of all horses that are kept in the open where flies can get at them. A carefully groomed animal may be free from them. The eggs may be destroyed by rubbing the body with a rag wet with kerosene. One of the most common remedies for bots, and at the same time the most useless, is a mixture of molasses and milk. Bots are hard to dislodge from the stomach until they have completed their development there and pass out of their own accord. Half-ounce doses of turpentine three hours apart until three doses are given, followed byan ounce of powdered aloes as a physic, is a good remedy and easily administered. Mix the turpentine with half a pint of milk or gruel and give on an empty stomach. Carbon bisulphide is a good remedy. Take two drachms or one-fourth of an ounce of this and shake with a pint of cold water and drench. Repeat this every two hours until an ounce of bisulphide is given, then give a physic of aloes. These remedies should be given on an empty stomach.
HORSE BOTS IN STOMACHThe bot fly lays its eggs on the hair of the horse. These, taken into the stomach, hatch out and give rise to horse bots or young maggots that attach themselves to the walls of the stomach. After becoming grown they loosen themselves and pass out with the feces.
HORSE BOTS IN STOMACH
The bot fly lays its eggs on the hair of the horse. These, taken into the stomach, hatch out and give rise to horse bots or young maggots that attach themselves to the walls of the stomach. After becoming grown they loosen themselves and pass out with the feces.
—It is now believed that eggs are deposited near the feet and that the grub is taken into the mouth and becomespartially developed in the digestive tract. It then burrows through the tissue until it reaches the region of the back. The only treatment that will amount to much is to destroy the grub as it is developing under the skin. If farmers and stockmen will systematically do this they can soon lessen the damage done. The heel fly annoys cattle, and the grub, when it escapes from the back, leaves a hole in the best part of the hide, causing loss in this way. After the grubs are in the back no treatment helps the animal very much; but the grub can be killed, thus preventing their developing into flies that would annoy other cattle. The grubs may be squeezed out and destroyed. Mercurial ointment may be rubbed through the hole and kill the grub, or chloroform, or creoline, may be injected into the grub with a hypodermic syringe. It does not require very much time to look after the number of cattle usually found on a farm.
is a very troublesome pest at times, and always causes trouble and annoyance to the flock when present, and occasionally causes considerable financial loss. The fly attacks sheep during the warm months, July and August generally being the worst. The presence of fly in the flock is easily told by the behavior of the sheep. The fly looks much like a house fly, only it is longer and it always attempts to lay its eggs just inside of the opening of the nose. As soon as the fly begins to get near the nostril the sheep will begin to run, will hold their noses close to the ground, and frequently huddle together as closely as possible for protection. When the fly does succeed in depositing the larvæ it begins immediately to work its way up the cavity of the nose and finally getsinto the small cavities in the head, where development goes on. It is during this period of development in the head that most of the damage is done. As the grubs grow larger a discharge from the nostril is noticed, which may soon become very thick and sticky, gumming up the nostrils and making breathing difficult. The sheep will often carry their heads low, but will frequently raise their heads and point their noses straight up.
The treatment may be either preventive or surgical. The first is within the reach of everyone owning sheep. Where only a few sheep are owned each individual should be caught and a mixture of tar and lard, or oil of tar and lard, applied to the nostril with a brush. This can be done in a short time and should be repeated every ten days or two weeks during the warm months. Narrow salt troughs may be made and the edges smeared with tar so that the sheep will get tar on their noses when they take salt. Turpentine may be applied high up in the nostril by means of a feather. Begin the preventive treatment early in the spring or whenever you know by the action of the sheep that the fly is bothering them, and you will have better success than to wait until the sheep are affected and undertake to cure them.
—SeeBot Flies.
—SeeHeaves.
—A common disease of domestic animals attacking the bronchial tubes. It may be chronic, but is usually acute, and may affect one side or both. The most frequent causes of bronchial catarrh are colds. A sudden cooling of a heated body by drenching, by the breathing of cold damp air, may all bring on the disorder. Dust, smoke or gas, when inhaled, often produces thesame trouble. Acute bronchitis usually sets in with a sudden rise of the temperature of the body, and the animal seems to have a chill. This may be quite violent at times. The cough is noticed very much as with people, being short, dry, and husky. Later on, as the disease progresses, a frothy mucus follows the cough. Associated with the disease is a loss of appetite, constipation, and pains in the chest and rattling in the chest and throat. A favorite position of the horse is standing and of other stock that of lying down. Good care is essential in the treatment. That means, with good treatment, dust, smoke, and bad air are to be severely avoided. Plenty of good ventilation, but no draft; and warm, well-lighted quarters are very desirable. The animal should be blanketed to be kept warm in the early stages and a compress placed over the chest, with blankets over the compress. Frequent changing of this compress is desirable, say a change every hour or two. When the animal is suffering from a chill, stimulants are excellent. A tablespoonful of whiskey in a pint of water and given as a drench every half hour or hour will be helpful.
After the chill period is passed, small doses of tincture of aconite, say 10 to 15 drops, in a little water as a drench will assist in discharging the mucus. When the animal has become at ease, a mustard plaster applied to the lungs will help you somewhat. From now on the treatment should be good nursing and good food. Boiled flaxseed and gruel will be very helpful. A very helpful preparation may be made of the following: Nitrate of potash or saltpeter, tartar emetic, ground gentian root, equal parts. A half pound or pound inall should be mixed thoroughly, and then a teaspoonful given three times each day. When all danger is passed, continue the careful handling and allow two or three weeks’ complete rest.
—Bunches are most generally enlargements of the bone. They are most serious in the region of a joint. They are caused, as a rule, by some injury, bruise, or wound. When first noticed they should be treated with a blister to insure a hasty absorption of the enlarged parts.
—Occasionally animals are burned or scalded so badly as to subject them to considerable pain. This may be relieved by the use of a strong solution of common baking soda. Following the use of this, apply an ointment made of one part of carbolic acid to 50 parts of vaseline. If vaseline is not available, then use in its place linseed oil.
—SeeMammitis.
—A diseased condition of the udder, with the secretion of milk altered, the udder hot, dry, and caked, and the glands inflamed. The trouble may be due to external injury, to germs entering the teats or to the milk being kept for too long a time in the udder. As soon as noticed the udder should be bathed in hot water and massaged for several minutes. After being dried with a cloth rub on a salve made of 2 tablespoonfuls of gum camphor dissolved in 12 tablespoonfuls of lard. At the same time give 4 tablespoonfuls of saltpeter morning and night for two or three days. See alsoMammitis.
—When a new-born calf comes into the world weak, puny, and listless, and dies in a few hours after scouring, bawling, and blatting and has sunken eyes and bloated belly soon after death, the disease by stockmen is called “calfcholera.” Many calves so affected are really “living abortions.” They have just enough life at birth to exist a few hours and show the symptoms described, and such calves are usually the offspring of cows that, during pregnancy, have been incompletely nourished upon timothy or swale hay, or coarse fodder, without an adequate supply of other foods to balance the ration; or similar calves may come from fat, flabby, corn-stuffed, beef-bred cows.
The trouble may be prevented by proper feeding of the pregnant cow, but there is no cure. A majority of such cases, however, are due to germ infection. Cows affected with contagious abortion may produce affected calves; the afterbirth and navel cord are invaded by the germs in such cases and the calf is improperly nourished in the womb. In other instances, calf cholera is due to filth germs entering the calf’s system by way of the raw navel cord stump at birth, or the mouth when the calf nurses from a manure-contaminated udder.
Prevent infective cases by providing a clean, fresh-bedded, disinfected, whitewashed, sunlighted, ventilated pen for the new-born calf, and immediately wet its navel with a1⁄500solution of corrosive sublimate and repeat the application twice daily until the cord dries up, drops off and no raw spot remains. Also wash the hind parts of the cow and her udder with a two per cent solution of coal tar disinfectant before the calf is allowed to suck for the first time and repeat the washing twice daily for at least a week. Isolate affected calves. Bury or burn the dead.
—SeeWhite Scours.
—Malignant growths, the cause or causes of which are not known; nor can it be said the disease is infectious. While a very seriousdisease among human beings, it is, fortunately, however, more rare among farm animals. The only treatment worth while is in surgical removal of the growths. If this be done when the tumors are first noticed and when they are small, their further appearance may not result. It is a good plan, if the growths persist in presenting themselves, to eliminate the affected animal from the herd. With cattle, it is possible to prepare them for market long before any cancer growths may reappear, and in this way the full market value may be secured with no danger when consumed.
—Frequently horses, in lying down, press the foot or the shoe against the elbow. This, in time, causes inflammation and ends in a tumor or shoe boil. The diseased condition is difficult to repair, as there is little flesh or muscle at the joint of the elbow where the trouble starts. Treatment consists of opening the boil and allowing the fluid to escape. In case the swelling is hot and painful, an application of lead acetate will prove comforting and helpful. In preparing the lotion, use 2 tablespoonfuls of acetate of lead to a quart of water. There is no objection to injecting a little of this into the opening. An injection of a little tincture of iodine once a day into the opening is desirable also. In treating cases of this kind, it is a good practice to wrap about the horse’s foot a pad of straw or hay for cushioning the foot. This prevents the wound from being further bruised, otherwise the cure may be greatly delayed, if not indefinitely postponed.
A VICTIM OF TUBERCULOSISThis cow, reacting to the tubercular test, was killed. The bottom picture shows the extent to which tuberculosis had affected her lungs. At least ten per cent of the cattle in the United States have this dreaded and destructive disease.
A VICTIM OF TUBERCULOSIS
This cow, reacting to the tubercular test, was killed. The bottom picture shows the extent to which tuberculosis had affected her lungs. At least ten per cent of the cattle in the United States have this dreaded and destructive disease.
—An inflammation resulting in a separation of the cap from the point of the bone of the hock. Cases of this kind are the results ofkicks or bruises. In the early stage, use 2 tablespoonfuls of lead acetate in a quart of water and bathe the injured part. When there is no longer any temperature, apply a blister composed of 1 teaspoonful of biniodide of mercury and 6 tablespoonfuls of lard. Apply this every week or ten days for several months.
EXTERIOR POINTS OF THE HORSE1 Lip, 2 Nostril, 3 Forehead, 4 Poll, 5 Cheek, 6 Ear, 7 Mane, 8 Neck, 9 Shoulder, 10 Point or Shoulder, 11 Breast, 12 Forearm, 13 Arm, 14 Knee, 15 Cannon, 16 Fetlock, 17 Pastern, 18 Foot, 19 Withers, 20 Back, 21 Side, 22 Underline, 23 Flank, 24 Croup, 25 Tail, 26 Haunch, 27 Thigh, 28 Stifle, 29 Hock, 30 Point of Hock, 31 Cannon, 32 Foot, 33 Coronet, 34 Fetlock, 35 Pastern.
EXTERIOR POINTS OF THE HORSE
1 Lip, 2 Nostril, 3 Forehead, 4 Poll, 5 Cheek, 6 Ear, 7 Mane, 8 Neck, 9 Shoulder, 10 Point or Shoulder, 11 Breast, 12 Forearm, 13 Arm, 14 Knee, 15 Cannon, 16 Fetlock, 17 Pastern, 18 Foot, 19 Withers, 20 Back, 21 Side, 22 Underline, 23 Flank, 24 Croup, 25 Tail, 26 Haunch, 27 Thigh, 28 Stifle, 29 Hock, 30 Point of Hock, 31 Cannon, 32 Foot, 33 Coronet, 34 Fetlock, 35 Pastern.
CASTRATION
CASTRATION
—An enlarged condition of the knee most commonly found in cattle. It is caused by cattle getting up and down on hard floors. It is usually seen in stables where stanchions are used. A baggy tumor forms at the front and just below the knee. In some instances this tumor becomes very large and the cow walks about or moves with great difficulty. Where hard floors are covered with bedding, no trouble of this kind results. Applications of hot water are excellent. Liniment is also very good. Where the tumor has long existed and is stubborn an opening should be made at the bottom so that the fluid may be discharged. A little tincture of iodine injected into the opening once a day is good and at the same time an application of iodine rubbed over the outside will assist in reducing the trouble. Use one part of iodine to eight parts of lard and continue this treatment for a month or two.
—The removal of the testicles from male animals. Castration is practiced upon all the domestic animals. Only those male animals possessing desirable characteristics are retained entire. The operations are generally performed when the male animals become troublesome. In horses the time is usually at one to three years old; in cattle one to three months old; sheep at one to four months and pigs two to four months old. Dogs,as a rule, become worthless if castrated. Cats grow to an enormous size when castrated.
—In the castration of all the domestic animals some general suggestions will be beneficial. (1) Secure the animal so he cannot injure himself or the attendants. (2) Do the castration during the early spring. (3) Give the animal exercise after castration. (4) Boil the instruments before operating, using warm water and any good hand soap. (5) Disinfect the skin over the scrotum before operating with corrosive sublimate1⁄1000. (6) Wash the hands of the operator with soap and water, then disinfect with corrosive sublimate. (7) Great care should be exercised that no corrosive sublimate be left that stock may drink, as it is a deadly poison.
When the instruments have been boiled (sharp castrating knife and emasculator), cast (throw) the animal as carefully as possible. Secure the hind legs so they will not hinder the operator. The operator having his hands clean and the scrotum washed and both his hands disinfected, and also the region to be operated upon, the animal is ready for the operation. The lower testicle is grasped with the left hand and with the right hand an incision is made over the testicle, down to the testicle. The testicle is pulled upon until the cord is seen. Then the emasculator is used to crush the cord. This emasculator should be placed on the cord as high up as possible. Some like their horses castrated proud. This consists in leaving part of the testicle. This last method is not safe, as it allows the testicle to become infected and form what is commonly known as water seeds. A tumor grows on the cord and may become the size of a man’s head.
After the testicle is removed, then enlarge the first incision (cut) that was made through the skin so as to give plenty drainage. This incision should be about eight inches long for horses. By having a large incision the upper part can heal first, and there will be good drainage until the scrotum entirely heals. If possible turn the castrated horse out to pasture after the operation, and it will exercise sufficiently to keep the parts from swelling. Do not keep the animal in a dirty stable after it is castrated, as there is so much danger from infection in the dirty horse stable. If the horse is broken it can be put to light work a week after the castration.
Bulls do not need to be thrown to be castrated. The incision is made over each testicle, and the operation carried out in the same way as with the horse. Bulls are not so susceptible to infection as the horse.
—Commonly known as a cold, catarrh is recognized as an inflamed state of the upper portions of the air passages, with more or less discharge from the mucous membranes. The eyes often sympathize with this deranged condition, with a watery state as the result. The causes of catarrh or colds in animals are very much the same as those causing the same disturbance in human beings; as with people, so with animals, the malady should be remedied as quickly as possible. Bad air is one of the most frequently observed causes; consequently pure cold air with proper blankets to keep the body warm is considered the best treatment for simple catarrh when unaccompanied with other troubles.
One of the common symptoms is dullness and loss of appetite. The hair stands out and looksrough, a slight cough may be noticed and sometimes a rattling is heard in the head. For cattle a mild dose of physic, consisting of one-half pound Epsom salts and 4 tablespoonfuls of sweet spirits of niter mixed in a pint of lukewarm water and given as a drench, is about all that is necessary. If the cold hangs on, mix together one-half pound of nitrate of potash or saltpeter and one-half pound of gentian root and give a teaspoonful of this three times a day until the animal is better. Of course good food should go along with this treatment. The horse should be fed soft food like bran mashes and be kept quiet in a well-ventilated stable. If the cold hangs on with him, mix one-half pound of saltpeter or nitrate of potash, one-half pound of sulphur, and one-half pound of ground gentian root and give a teaspoonful morning, noon and night.
—SeeScab in Cattle.
—A disease fatal in violent attacks and not well understood as to cause. It is believed to be non-contagious, although frequently extensive outbreaks occur, suggesting that it may be contagious. The symptoms are not well defined, due, perhaps, to the fact that other diseases are included under the general name. Horses of all ages of both sexes are affected, and temperament and physical condition have nothing to do with susceptibility to the disease. Likewise mules are affected and the mortality among them is equally as great as among horses. The most acceptable belief as to cause centers around a bacterial organism that works in the membranes of the brain. However, some writers attribute the disease to ergot, smuts and molds supposed to be taken with the food. Moldy corn and moldy hay are believed to be associated with the disease. Thesymptoms are staggering gait, partial or total inability to swallow, various muscular contractions and delirium.
Treatment is seldom effected, especially in violent cases. Mild forms frequently respond to cathartics, blisters on the neck, spine and throat. These give some relief. Small doses of aconite are also believed to be helpful. Some writers place choking, distemper, grass staggers, and blind staggers along with this brain disorder.
—SeeAnthrax.
—SeeNavicular Disease.
—Chicken or fowl cholera is a germ disease, and contagious. It attacks poultry of all kinds. Diarrhœa is a prominent symptom of the disease. Bad food or improper food may aggravate the trouble, but the germ introduced into the system either in food or drink, is at the bottom of it. At first the droppings will take on a whitish color. Diarrhœa will then result. The discharges will then become thin and watery, to be at times frothy and greenish in appearance. Fowls thus attacked soon lose their appetites and become stupid and take on a sickly appearance. The head drops toward the body, the eyelids fall, and the fowls stand around as if doped. Some recover, but, unless checked, the flock will be materially injured.
Of course dead fowls must be burned at once and lime and other disinfectants used to keep the disease from spreading. The well birds must be kept apart from the infected quarters. Care must be exercised that infection be not carried either by visitors or attendants from the sick to the healthy quarters. A common remedy consists of 1 part of sulphate of iron to 50 parts of water for drinking purposes. Another common remedy is to mix atablespoonful of sulphate of iron, 2 tablespoonfuls of dried blood, and 2 tablespoonfuls of tincture of opium with a pint of water. This is given in the food in doses of 1 or 2 tablespoonfuls of this mixture three or four times a day to each sick bird.
—Horses frequently choke from too rapid eating of oats, and cattle are very commonly troubled on attempting to swallow apples, turnips, or small pieces of ear corn. In either of these cases much distress is occasioned and serious danger. In treating the horse, the best treatment is to give it a little oil, after which rub the hand up and down the gullet to scatter the accumulated oats. Sometimes it is necessary to make an incision in the gullet through which the material is removed. Better have a veterinarian do this. When food lodges in the gullet of cattle, suffocation soon follows if it is serious and in the upper part of the gullet. When such objects have lodged near the stomach end there is less immediate danger. Of course the first treatment is to try to force the object down by using the hand, if at all possible. If this cannot be done a probang should be used. The probang should be very limber, so as to bend easily, and it should be used with great caution. Cattle often are killed by the accidental puncture of the gullet as the probang is pressed down toward the mouth of the stomach. Consequently no unyielding article like a broom handle or even a buggy whip should be used. If a regular probang is not available, a rope a little less than one inch in diameter can be inserted and gently worked down the gullet. Before using the rope, grease it well and make a knob at the end to be inserted. This knob can be made of cotton strings or muslin cloth.
—SeeNavicular Disease.
—SeeCatarrh.
—Colic is an inflammation of the bowels characterized by a spasmodic contraction of the intestinal walls. It is a very common disease in horses, and occasionally cattle and lambs are affected with it. Both the small and large intestines may be afflicted or only one of them. There are many causes, but feed and water are the controlling factors. An animal just stopped from hard work and given a large quantity of cold water, especially after eating, may be quickly troubled. And the animal hot from work, on drinking very cold water, often gets colic. Then, too, a change of food, or a change from dry feed to green food or eating some root crop when the animal is not used to it, may bring on the disease.
Then, again, some horses and cattle are more given to colic than others. Some individuals are never troubled, and others are almost constantly under its influence. If much inflammation sets in, a very serious case is on your hands. Two kinds of colic are known—the spasmodic, a contraction, commonly known as cramps of the bowels; and wind or flatulent colic or bloating. Some authorities add a third, and call it worm colic.
—This kind of colic is first noticed when the horse begins to paw with his forefeet, cringes, bends his head around as if looking at his side, lays on the ground and rolls as if in pain; then he stands quietly for a while and repeats these performances again. During the time between the spasms the animal is more at ease and frequently eats a little. When the spasms come on again the shifting about and the rolling are repeated. If thecramps are severe the animal breaks out with sweat. The pulse is accelerated when the spasms are on, ranging from 60 to 65 beats a minute. If inflammation has set in, the pulse instead of rising and falling remains more constant and is high all the time.
COLIC PAINSA common attitude with colic. When seized with pains the horse paws, scrapes the ground with his front feet, stamps and strikes the belly with the hind ones, lays back his ears and looks around to his flank.
COLIC PAINS
A common attitude with colic. When seized with pains the horse paws, scrapes the ground with his front feet, stamps and strikes the belly with the hind ones, lays back his ears and looks around to his flank.
When the spasms are on, pressing the bowels seems to relieve the pain and please the animal, but if inflammation is present the pressure seems to increase the pain. The best treatment is to relieve the pain with an opiate, and next to obtain a free action of the bowels by a purge. Many prescriptions have been suggested, among which is the following: 4 tablespoonfuls of sweet spirits of niter, 4 tablespoonfuls of laudanum, 1 tablespoonful of ginger and 1 tablespoonful of common soda. These are added to a pint of warm water and given as a drench.
—This form of colic, though not so acute, is much more constant than the preceding form. The body is swollen in the region of the bowels, the gas extending quite generally through the region. There is also a tendency to inflammation. The pulse will be noticed as more rapid, and at the same time more feeble, the breathing will be more pronounced, and the animal less steady on its feet. In treating the patient it is advisable to unload the rectum with greased hand and arm, and the admission of warm water with soap in it, is also likely to be beneficial. A little turpentine mixed with the soap and water is good. The intestine is to be cleaned out as far as the arm will reach, but a violent purge is unwise, as that only intensifies the inflammation. Naturally the first thing is to mildly open the bowels. For this give 15 or 20 tablespoonfuls of linseed oil and 5 or 10 tablespoonfuls of spirit of turpentine. If the case continues, it is advisable to call a veterinarian, and it may be necessary to use the trocar and canula. If the instrument is sterilized, no great risk attaches to the operation, while immediate relief is secured as the gas passes out through the tube, and the distention is visibly reduced. An excellent mixture for this kind of colic consists of 6 tablespoonfuls of chloral hydrate, 6 tablespoonfuls of laudanum, 3 tablespoonfuls of sulphuric ether, 2 tablespoonfuls of turpentine, and 10 tablespoonfuls of ginger. Of this give 2 or 3 tablespoonfuls in a half pint of warm water and repeat every half hour for 3 or 4 doses and then place the doses an hour apart until all danger has passed.
When there is a good deal of gas with considerable swelling an excellent drench is made of 2 tablespoonfuls of powdered aloes, 4 tablespoonfulsof spirits of ammonia and 4 tablespoonfuls of sulphuric ether. This should be mixed with a pint of water and given promptly. In case of considerable pain use this: 4 to 6 tablespoonfuls of hydrate of chloral and eight tablespoonfuls of sugar mixed in a pint of water and give as a drench.
—The collection of solid mineral matter in the urine may become lodged in the kidney, the ureter (duct leading from the kidney), the bladder or urethra (the duct leading from the bladder). All animals are more or less subject to these conditions, and yet are not so affected as they are sometimes thought to be. Many a case of so-called kidney colic is in reality an affection of the digestive system. The cause for these mineral accumulations perhaps varies under different conditions, yet the most common circumstance under which they occur is during the time when animals are fed exclusively or largely upon dry feed such as exists in the winter time where silage is not fed. Wheat bran has been attributed as one of the most sourceful means of bringing on this trouble. When it is fed with succulent feeds and an abundance of water allowed these disorders do not occur.
The symptoms do not differ a great deal from some forms of colic, due to stomach or intestinal disturbances, especially in the frequent attempts to empty the bladder. The animal usually shows more or less pain from the restless condition, looks around at the flank, dribbles his urine frequently, which is occasionally blood stained. There may be a complete obstruction of the passages, in which case no urine is voided.
RETENTION OF THE URINEBy means of a catheter the greater portion of the urine can be drawn off. The operation is shown in the picture.
RETENTION OF THE URINE
By means of a catheter the greater portion of the urine can be drawn off. The operation is shown in the picture.
with the location of the trouble,in which little can be accomplished when the gravel or stone is located in front of the bladder. If within the bladder, not obstructing its outlet, it is not likely to make its presence known. Agents should be given, however, to overcome the pain and to relieve the frequently existing spasm at point of obstruction, as far as possible, which may allow passage of stone. Give 4 tablespoonfuls of laudanum or chloral to a dose and repeat in two or three hours if any pain or trouble is still indicated. In inducing the animal to drink liberal quantities of water the condition may be somewhat relieved by making the urine more watery in character and possibly dissolving a portion, allowing the remainder to pass along its course. When theobstruction occurs within the urethra the removal should be made by incising through the tissues on to or near the obstruction, removing by forceps and suturing up the wound. A skilled operator is required for this, hence the veterinarian should be called.
—An infrequent movement of the bowels with the dung hard and dry. The animal is said to be bound up or costive. Bad food, improper feeding, lack of exercise, all contribute to the trouble. Treatment is in the line of laxative and succulent food, such as wheat bran, green grass, silage and linseed oil meal. If the case is one requiring immediate action give any of the usual purgatives, but do not continue their use as a regular thing. If green grass is not possible, nor silage available, give one or two teaspoonfuls of the following mixture in the food three times a day: Equal parts of ground gentian root, powdered nux vomica, powdered ginger and sulphur.
—Small swellings or tumors on the sensitive heel in the triangular space between the bars and the wall of the heel. These are found in the fore feet only, and almost always on the inside heel. They are caused most frequently by bad shoeing or from wearing the shoe for too long a time. These growths do not always cause lameness, although, as a rule, they do. They are, however, always sensitive to pressure and usually appear as tumors of a hard, corny character. Neglected corns are liable to fester and must then be laid bare by the knife and be poulticed. Neglect of this treatment results in the matter or pus finding its way up through the coronet. Thus quittor may result.
Give the foot a careful dressing by paring the heel, and bathe the corn with a weak carbolic acidsolution. After doing this, place a fold of muslin over the corn and then over all a bran and linseed poultice. A complete rest from work, hard roads and shoes should now be given the animal until the corn has entirely disappeared. When the feet are again shod, leather should be used as a protection. Many corn salves are recommended, but unless the corn be removed and the pressure taken from the wound, there can be no cure, even though the tumor is pared away.
—When cattle are allowed to run in stalk fields it frequently happens that a large per cent die from various causes. All these troubles are classed under the one term—cornstalk disease. In some western fields where there is a second growth of cane stalk late in the fall an early frost will at times develop in the stalk a deadly poison (hydrocyanic acid), which kills the animal in a very few minutes after eating it. This poison has not been found in the cornstalk.
In the last year or two some of our state experiment stations have been investigating several molds which seem to affect not only cattle but horses as well. These molds grow quite abundantly upon cornstalks, alfalfa, and other forage crops. The death of a great number of animals has been traced directly to the feeding of such affected fodder, hay, or corn. These molds, however, must have a certain amount of moisture for their growth, and it has been shown that when the feeds have been properly harvested and sheltered no trouble has resulted. Only in materials exposed to the weather, allowing the development of these lower forms of plant life, has serious trouble been found.
In the treatment of these troubles nothing reliable can be given, as the disease usually comes onwithout any warning and the animal dies suddenly. Much of the trouble can be avoided by allowing the animals only a limited amount of the feed or in the stalk field a few hours only each day. It is necessary that plenty of pure water should be given frequently and enough of other roughage to keep the animals from gorging themselves on the fodder.
—An infectious disease passed from one cow to another. It affects herds in all parts of the world and is similar to smallpox in the human being, only it is not so fatal. When first affected the cow is feverish, slacks somewhat in the milk flow, and presents little red pimple-like spots around the teats. In a day or two these become enlarged and become blisters, containing within a watery fluid, which, if not broken, dry up themselves and form scabs, leaving the teat in time perfectly natural. Ordinarily, special treatment is not given. There is no objection, however, to providing a simple tonic composed of one-quarter pound saltpeter, one-quarter pound sulphur, and one-quarter pound ground gentian root. Give a teaspoonful of this night and morning in a mash. The teats should be bathed, just before milking, with any common disinfecting solution. If the sores are slow in healing, sweet oil, to which is added a little carbolic acid, will soon correct the trouble.
—SeeSand Cracks.
—A habit of biting the manger or other objects, often sucking in the air at the same time. This bad habit is frequently called wind sucking. It is the result of a habit formed when young. There is really no cure when the habit is once formed, but different measures may be employed to lessen the fault. A broad strap firmlyplaced around the neck brings the desired effect with some individuals.
—This bad habit usually begins in colt days. It may arise from a sore tooth. The colt, to relieve the feeling, bites the manger, and in so doing acquires the habit. When hanging on to the manger, air is sucked in and this frequently brings on colic. The best treatment is to break up the habit. Examine the mouth first to see if anything is wrong with the teeth. Muzzle while standing in the stable. The old cribbers never give up the habit.
—SeeColic.