Common Diseases of Farm AnimalsCraig, Robert Alexander
Science
Common Diseases of Farm Animals
Craig, Robert Alexander
Veterinary medicine
Azoturia is common in the country where feed is abundant and wrong methods
of feeding horses are commonly practised. It is a very common practice to
feed horses accustomed to hard work the same ration when idle for a few
days as when working. The blood of horses cared for in this way may become
abnormally rich in albuminoids. The suddenness of the attack, occurring
shortly after the animal is given exercise, indicates auto-poisoning. This
may be due to the blood in the portal vessels and the liver capillaries,
charged with nutritious and waste products from the overfed animal's
intestines, being suddenly thrown into the general circulation by a more
active circulation of the blood brought on by exercise.
_The symptoms_ of disease are manifested shortly after the animal is moved
out of the stall and given exercise. When the animal is first exercised it
is usually in high spirits. After travelling a short distance it is noticed
to sweat more freely than ordinarily, breathe rapidly, lag and go lame,
usually in the hind limbs. It trembles, shows evidence of suffering severe
pain by turning its head and looking around toward the flanks, knuckles
over in the hind pasterns, and may fall down and be unable to get up. The
affected muscles appear to be swollen and feel unusually firm when pressed
upon with the hand. If the horse does not go down recovery may occur within
a few hours, and we are able to move the horse to the stable. Dark brown
urine may be passed. At other times, the animal lies in a natural position,
possesses a good appetite, but can not stand. In the severe form, it is
restless and shows marked nervous symptoms.
_The prognosis_ is unfavorable in the severe form. When nervous symptoms
are absent recovery usually occurs in from two to ten days. Complications
are common. More or less atrophy of the muscles of the quarters may result
(Fig. 30).
_The preventive treatment_ consists in avoiding conditions that may favor
the production of the disease. More attention should be given the feeding
and care of work animals. If it is not possible to permit horses that are
worked to exercise in a lot or pasture when idle, the ration should be
reduced and roots, chopped, or soft feed given.
Careful nursing is an important part of the _treatment_. As soon as the
horse shows evidence of an attack, it should be stopped and allowed to
stand until sufficiently recovered to be moved. If paralysis occurs, we
should make it as comfortable as possible and arrange to move it to a
comfortable, warm, well-bedded stall. It may be advisable to place the
animal in slings. This is not advisable in the serious form of the disease
because of the extent of the paralysis and the nervous symptoms. A very
light diet, bran mashes, chopped hay or green feed, should be fed during
the convalescent period and for several days after complete recovery has
occurred.
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