Special Report on Diseases of the HorseUnited States. Bureau of Animal Industry
Science
Special Report on Diseases of the Horse
United States. Bureau of Animal Industry
Horses -- Diseases
_Treatment._--This disease is not serious, but inasmuch as neglect or
bad treatment may cause it to lead to something worse or become chronic
it should receive proper attention. The animal should not be worked for
a time. A few days of rest, with pure air and good feed, will be of
greater benefit than most medication. The value of pure air can not be
overestimated, but drafts must be avoided. The benefit derived from the
inhalation of steam is considerable. This is effected by holding the
horse's head over a bucketful of boiling water, so that the animal will
be compelled to inhale steam with every inhalation of air. Stirring the
hot water with a wisp of hay causes the steam to arise in greater
abundance. One may cause the horse to put his nose in a bag containing
cut hay upon which hot water has been poured, the bottom of the bag
being stood in a bucket, but the bag must be of loose texture, as gunny
sack, or, if of canvas, holes must be cut in the side to admit fresh
air.
The horse may be made to inhale steam four or five times a day, about 15
or 20 minutes each time.
Particular attention should be paid to the diet. Give bran mashes,
scalded oats, linseed gruel, and grass, if in season. If the horse
evinces no desire for this soft diet, it is better to allow any kind of
feed he will eat, such as hay, oats, corn, etc., than to keep him on
short rations.
If the animal is constipated, relieve this symptom by injections
(enemas) of warm water into the rectum three or four times a day, but do
not administer purgative medicines, except of a mild character.
For simple cases the foregoing is all that is required, but if the
appetite is lost and the animal appears debilitated and dull, give 3
ounces of the solution of acetate of ammonia and 2 drams of powdered
chlorate of potassium diluted with a pint of water three times a day as
a drench. Be careful when giving the drench; do not pound the horse on
the gullet to make him swallow; be patient, and take time, and do it
right.
If the weather is cold, blanket the animal and keep him in a comfortable
stall. If the throat is sore, treat as advised for that ailment, to be
described hereafter.
If, after 10 days or 2 weeks, the discharge from the nostrils continues,
give one-half dram of reduced iron three times a day. This may be mixed
with damp feed. Common cold should be thoroughly understood and
intelligently treated in order to prevent more dangerous diseases.
CHRONIC CATARRH (OR NASAL GLEET, OR COLLECTION IN THE SINUSES).
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