Diseases of cattle, sheep, goats and swineMoussu, G. (Gustave)
Science
Diseases of cattle, sheep, goats and swine
Moussu, G. (Gustave)
Veterinary medicine
=Symptoms.= It is easy for a careful observer to note the time at which
the larvæ penetrate the sinus. During the hottest hours of the day the
adult insects are continually hovering over the flocks, and on watching
carefully one sees sheep suddenly become excited, tap with their feet,
rub their faces against any hard, resisting object in the neighbourhood,
plunge their nostrils into the dust, and snort violently.
When the larvæ have penetrated the nasal cavities they produce frequent
attacks of sneezing by irritating the mucous membrane, and cause an
intense sero-mucous and afterwards a moderate muco-purulent coryza. As
long as the larvæ remain of small size, the apparent results they
produce are insignificant, as during the first months of winter; but
when they are numerous, and have become of considerable size, they cause
symptoms which might suggest an attack of gid or sturdy.
Thus the bodily movements become spasmodic, the gait irregular, and the
animals show attacks of vertigo. They stagger and fall, making
convulsing movements, grinding their teeth and rolling their eyes, while
frothy saliva escapes from the mouth, etc.
Death may occur during such attacks, which, however, are happily very
rare. Most commonly the animals are simply dull and somnolent. They feed
badly, carry their heads low, and sometimes hide themselves under the
mangers or in corners.
In exceptional circumstances they bury their heads in the wool or carry
them high in the air in walking, while they lift their front legs high,
with a stepping movement.
[Illustration: $1]
=Diagnosis.= The diagnosis of parasitic invasion of the sinus in the
sheep is rather difficult, because certain of the symptoms suggest gid.
One never finds the signs of true gid, however, and, on the other hand,
a certain amount of discharge and attacks of snorting always exist.
Finally, gid (cœnurosis) only attacks young animals, whilst the larvæ of
œstridæ are commonest in adults.
To confound the disease with verminous bronchitis is still less likely,
for although a discharge exists in both cases, this is accompanied by
cough in bronchitis, and only by sneezing attacks in infection of the
sinuses.
Finally, in bronchitis, histological examination leads to the discovery
of eggs or embryos of the strongyles. The diagnosis becomes very easy on
post-mortem examination, the identification of the larvæ of œstridæ
being extremely simple.
=Prognosis.= The prognosis is only grave when infestation is very
pronounced. Most commonly the parasites complete their development
without producing disquieting symptoms; as summer approaches they are
expelled and recovery occurs.
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