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
When a fatal termination is approaching all the symptoms become
intensified. The breathing becomes still more rapid and difficult; the
flanks heave; the animal stares wildly about as if seeking aid to drive
off the feeling of suffocation; the body is bathed with sweat; the horse
staggers, but quickly recovers his balance; he may now, for the first
time during the attack, lie down; he does so, however, in the hope of
relief, which he fails to find, and with difficulty struggles to his
feet; he pants; the nostrils flap; he staggers and sways from side to
side and backward and forward, but still tries to retain the standing
position, even by propping himself against the stall. It is no use, as
after an exhausting fight for breath he goes down; the limbs stretch out
and become rigid. In fatal cases death usually occurs in from 10 to 20
days after the beginning of the attack. On the other hand, when the
disease is terminating favorably the signs are obvious. The fever abates
and the animal gradually improves in appetite; he takes more notice of
things around him; his spirits improve; he has a general appearance of
returning health, and he lies down and rests. In the majority of cases
pneumonia, if properly treated, terminates in recovery.
_Treatment._--The comfort and surroundings of the patient must be
attended to first. The quarters should be the best that can be provided.
Pure air is essential. Avoid placing the animal in a stall where he may
be exposed to drafts of cold air and sudden changes of temperature. It
is much better for the animal if the air is cold and pure than if it is
warm and foul. It is better to make the animal comfortable with warm
clothing than to make the stable warm by shutting off the ventilation.
From the start the animal should have an unlimited supply of fresh, cold
drinking water. Blanket the body. Rub the legs until they are warm and
then put bandages on them from the hoofs up to the knees and hocks. If
warmth can not be reestablished in the legs by hand rubbing alone, apply
dry, ground mustard and rub well in. The bandages should be removed once
or twice every day, the legs well rubbed, and the bandages replaced.
Much harm is often done by clipping off hair and rubbing in powerful
blistering compounds. They do positive injury and retard recovery, and
should not be allowed. Much benefit may be derived from hot application
to the sides of the chest if the facilities are at hand to apply them.
If the weather is not too cold, and if the animal is in a comfortable
stable, the following method may be tried: Have a tub of hot water handy
to the stable door; soak a woolen blanket in the water, then quickly
wring as much water as possible out of it and wrap it around the chest.
See that it fits closely to the skin; do not allow it to sag so that air
may get between it and the skin. Now wrap a dry blanket over the wet hot
one and hold in place with three girths. The hot blanket should be
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