Common Diseases of Farm AnimalsCraig, Robert Alexander
Science
Common Diseases of Farm Animals
Craig, Robert Alexander
Veterinary medicine
The animal should be allowed to drink but a limited amount of water. The
feed must be highly nutritious. Milk and eggs should be given if necessary.
A laxative dose of oil should be given. Calomel, aloes, and digitalis are
recommended when the effusion period approaches in order to increase the
elimination of fluid, and lessen its entrance into the body cavity. If the
amount of effusion is large, puncture of the thoracic cavity with a trocar
and cannula may be practised. This operation should be performed carefully,
and all possible precautions used against infection of the wound. During
the later period of the disease iodide of potassium, iron and bitter tonics
should be given.
BROKEN-WIND, HEAVES.--The terms broken-wind and heaves are used in a way to
include a number of different diseases of the respiratory organs of the
horse. The term heaves is applied almost wholly to an emphysematous
condition of the lungs. Broken-wind may include the following diseased
conditions: obstruction of the nasal passages by bony enlargements and
tumors; tumors in the pharynx; enlarged neck glands; collection of pus in
the guttural pouches and paralysis of the left, or both recurrent nerves
(roaring).
_The common causes_ of heaves are pre-existing diseases of the respiratory
organs, severe exercise when the animal is not in condition and wrong
methods of feeding. Heaves is more common in horses that are fed heavily on
dusty timothy and clover hay and allowed to drink large quantities of water
after feeding, than in horses that are fed green feeds, graze on pastures
or receive prairie hay for roughage. Chronic indigestion seems to aggravate
the disease. Over-distention of the stomach and intestines due to feeding
too much roughage and grain interferes with respiration. Severe exercise
when in this condition may result in over-distention, dilation and rupture
of the air cells. This is the most common structural change met with in the
lungs of horses affected with heaves. It is termed emphysema.
_The common symptoms_ noted are the double contraction of the muscles of
the flank with each expiration, a short, dry cough and the dilated
nostrils. The frequent passage of gas is a prominent symptom in
well-established cases of heaves. Chronic indigestion is commonly present
in heavy horses that are not well cared for, or are given hard work. This
condition aggravates the distressed breathing.
Heaves is a permanent disorder, but it may be relieved by climatic changes
and careful attention to the animal's diet.
The following _preventive treatment_ is recommended: Dusty hay should not
be fed to horses. Clover hay is not a safe feed for horses that are worked
hard. When starting on a drive after feeding, the horse should not be
driven fast, but allowed to go slowly for a few miles.
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