Diseases of cattle, sheep, goats and swineMoussu, G. (Gustave)
Science
Diseases of cattle, sheep, goats and swine
Moussu, G. (Gustave)
Veterinary medicine
=Symptoms.= The first important symptom consists in intense local pain,
rapidly followed by marked lameness. The affected region soon becomes
swollen; the coronary band appears congested; the skin of the
interdigital space projects both in front and behind; the claws are
separated, and all the lower portion of the limb appears congested and
œdematous. The engorgement usually extends as high as the fetlock, and
the parts are hard and extremely sensitive. The patient is feverish,
loses appetite, and commences to waste. After five to ten days sloughing
occurs at some point—if the ligament is affected, in the interdigital
space; if the tendons, or the fibro-fatty cushions, the slough appears
in the flexure of the pastern. The dead tissue may separate and fall
away, or remain in position macerated in pus. Separation is generally
slow, requiring from twelve to fifteen days, and, unless precautions are
taken, complications occur. If only the interdigital ligament or
fibro-fatty cushion be necrotic, recovery may be hoped for; but, on the
other hand, if the tendons, tendon sheaths, ligaments, or bones are
affected, complications like suppurating synovitis, suppurating ostitis,
arthritis, etc., supervene, with fatal results. Death may occur from
purulent infection, unless the animal is slaughtered early.
=The diagnosis= is easy. The intensity of the lameness, separation of
the claws, swelling of the pastern region, sensitiveness of the swollen
parts, and absence of lesions in the ungual region sufficiently indicate
the nature of the condition.
=The prognosis= is grave, for complications may result, in spite of
proper treatment.
=Treatment.= Treatment consists, first of all, in thoroughly cleansing
the affected limb and placing the animal on a very clean bed. The parts
are next subjected to antiseptic baths containing carbolic acid,
creolin, sulphate of zinc, or sulphate of copper. It is often more
convenient, and quite as efficacious, to apply antiseptic poultices to
the foot and pastern, and to allow them to remain for some days, being
moistened several times daily with one of the solutions indicated. The
effects are: rapid diminution of the pain, delimitation of the necrotic
tissues is hastened, and the abscess is more readily opened.
Many practitioners recommend early intervention in the form of deep
scarification in the interdigital space or pastern region. The local
bleeding, and the drainage which takes place through the wounds so made,
is said to hasten recovery or to prevent complications.
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