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
As before remarked, indigestion is often present in these cases. The
animal may have a depraved appetite, as shown by a desire to eat dirt
and soiled bedding, which he often devours in preference to the clean
feed in the trough or manger. The stomach is liable to be overloaded
with indigestible feed. The abdomen may assume that form called
"potbellied." The animal frequently passes wind of a very offensive
odor. When first put to work dung is passed frequently; the bowels are
often loose. The animal can not stand much work, as the muscular system
is soft. Round-chested horses are said to be predisposed to the disease,
and it is certain that in cases of long standing the chest usually
becomes rounder than natural.
Certain individuals become very expert in managing a horse affected with
heaves in suppressing the symptoms for a short time. They take advantage
of the fact that the breathing is much easier when the stomach and
intestines are empty. They also resort to the use of medicines that
have a depressing effect. When the veterinarian is examining a horse for
soundness, and he suspects that the animal has been "fixed," he usually
gives the horse as much water as he will drink and then has him ridden
or driven rapidly up a hill or on a heavy road. This will bring out the
characteristic breathing of heaves if the horse is so afflicted, but
will not cause the symptoms of heaves in a healthy horse. All
broken-winded horses have the cough peculiar to the affection, but it is
not regular. A considerable time may elapse before it is heard and then
it may come on in paroxysms, especially when first brought out of the
stable into the cold air, or when excited by work, or after a drink of
cold water. The cough is usually the first symptom of the disease.
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