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
Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining of the
pharynx or throat. It rarely exists unless accompanied with stomatitis
or laryngitis, especially the latter. In those rare instances in which
the inflammation is mostly confined to the pharynx are noticed febrile
symptoms--difficulty of swallowing either liquids or solids; there is
but little cough except when trying to swallow; there is no soreness on
pressure over larynx (head of the windpipe). Increased flow of saliva,
difficulty of swallowing liquids in particular, and cough only when
attempting to swallow, are the symptoms best marked in pharyngitis. In
some cases the throat becomes gangrenous and the disease ends in death.
For treatment a wet sheet should be wrapped around the throat and
covered with rubber sheeting and a warm blanket. This should be changed
three times daily; or the region of the throat may be rubbed with
mercurial ointment twice daily until the skin becomes irritated, but no
longer; chlorate of potash may be given in 2-dram doses four times
daily, mixed with flaxseed meal or licorice-root powder and honey, as an
electuary. Soft feeds should be given, and fresh water should be
constantly before the horse.
PARALYSIS OF THE PHARYNX.
Paralysis of the pharynx, or, as it is commonly called, "paralysis of
the throat," is a rare but very serious disease. The symptoms are as
follows: The horse will constantly try to eat or drink, but will be
unable to do so; if water is offered him from a pail he will apparently
drink with avidity, but the quantity of water in the pail will remain
about the same; he will continue by the hour to try to drink; if he can
get any fluid into the back part of the mouth it will come out at once
through the nose. Feeds also return through the nose, or are dropped
from the mouth, quidded. An examination of the mouth by inserting the
hand fails to find any obstruction or any abnormal condition. These
cases go on from bad to worse; the horse constantly and rapidly loses in
condition, becomes very much emaciated, the eyes are hollow and
lusterless, and death occurs from inanition.
Treatment is very unsatisfactory. A severe blister should be applied
behind and under the jaw; the mouth is to be frequently swabbed out with
alum or chlorate of potash, 1 ounce to a pint of water, by means of a
sponge fastened to the end of a stick. Strychnia may be given in 1-grain
doses two or three times a day.
This disease may be mistaken at times for foreign bodies in the mouth or
for the so-called cerebrospinal meningitis. It is to be distinguished
from the former, upon a careful examination of the mouth, by the absence
of any offending body and by the flabby feel of the mouth, and from the
latter by the animal appearing in perfect health in every particular
except this inability to eat or drink.
ABSCESSES.
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