Notes on Diseases of the Horse: Cause, Symptoms and TreatmentKorinek, Charles James
Science
Notes on Diseases of the Horse: Cause, Symptoms and Treatment
Korinek, Charles James
Horses -- Diseases
TREATMENT.—Prevention is the only treatment, for when the worms once
enter the digestive canal, it is impossible to remove them.
FOUNDER.
(_Laminitis_)
CAUSE.—Overeating or drinking—in fact, any irritation of the stomach or
intestines is liable to be followed by Founder, owing to the similarity
in the sensitive structure of the foot, skin, and mucous membranes.
Horses with weak feet are predisposed to Founder, but it may also occur
in strong-footed animals. Founder is also produced by driving an animal
on a hot summer day and then placing in the stable where the sweat is
suddenly checked by drafts, etc.
SYMPTOMS.—The horse is stiff, and moves with great difficulty; he will
generally, though not always, remain standing. Throws weight upon the
heel of the foot to relieve the toe, and if an effort is made to back him
he will drag his feet. Excessive heat is present at the top of the hoof,
and a throbbing of the arteries may be felt. When the fore feet only are
affected, the horse will relieve them of as much weight as possible when
walking by placing the hind feet well under the body, which results in
a peculiar jumping motion. Founder may occur in all four feet, but the
fore feet are more often affected than the hind ones. Mares sometimes
founder after giving birth to a colt, due to inflammation of the womb;
symptoms correspond to those of common Founder. Founder may be mistaken
for disease of the lungs or kidneys, owing to the standing position and
arched back.
TREATMENT.—In all cases of Founder, administer Potassi Iodide, one ounce;
Soda Bicarbonate, four ounces; Potassi Nitrate, four ounces. Mix and give
two tablespoonfuls in drinking water every six hours. If the animal will
not take it in its water, place in gelatin capsule and give with capsule
gun.
Find out the true cause of the disease, if possible, and perhaps a physic
will be indicated, containing Aloin, two drams; Ginger, two drams; place
it in a capsule and give with capsule gun. If desired results are not
obtained in eighteen hours, repeat the dose until there is an action of
the bowels. Founder following excessive irritation of the stomach and
intestines, or mares heavy with foal, should not receive physics. Feed
food that is easily digested, as carrots, kale, apples, potatoes, hot
bran mashes, or steamed rolled oats, etc.
It is well to elevate the hind quarters and give rectal injections of
Warm Water and Glycerine. Stand in mud or water, or apply bags containing
mud, bran or ice; in fact, anything that will have a cool, moist effect
on the feet.
After the inflammation of the feet has subsided, and the animal walks
fairly well, you should apply a blister containing Red Iodide of Mercury,
two drams; Lard, two ounces, around the top of the hoofs, and rub in well
twice forty-eight hours apart. In some cases of Founder it is recommended
to bleed the animal in the foot. If this is attempted, good disinfectants
should be used, as lock-jaw might follow.
GALLS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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