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
_Symptoms._--There is slight tenderness on pressure; awkward gait of the
hind legs; the horse is dull, and may have occasional very slight
colicky pains, shown by looking back and striking at the belly with the
hind feet. Oftener, however, these colicky symptoms are absent. Diarrhea
often precedes death, but during the progress of the disease the bowels
are alternately constipated and loose. On percussing the abdominal walls
we find that dullness exists to the same height on both sides of the
belly; by suddenly pushing or striking the abdomen we can hear the
rushing or flooding of water. If the case is an advanced one, the horse
is potbellied in the extreme, and dropsical swellings are seen under the
belly and upon the legs.
Treatment is, as a rule, unsatisfactory. Saline cathartics, as Epsom or
Glauber's salt, and diuretics, ounce doses of saltpeter, may be given.
If a veterinarian is at hand he will withdraw the accumulation of water
by tapping and then endeavor to prevent its recurrence (though this is
almost sure to follow) by giving three times a day saltpeter 1 ounce and
iodid of potash 1 dram, and by the application of mustard or blisters
over the abdominal walls. Tonics, mineral and vegetable, are also
indicated. Probably the best tonic is one consisting of powdered
sulphate of iron, gentian, and ginger in equal parts; a heaping
tablespoonful of the mixture is given as a drench or mixed with the
feed, twice a day. Good nutritious feeds and gentle exercise complete
the treatment.
DISEASES OF THE LIVER.
In the United States the liver of the horse is but rarely the seat of
disease, and when we consider how frequently the liver of man is
affected this can not but appear strange. The absence of the gall
bladder may account to a certain extent for his freedom from liver
diseases, as overdistention of this and the presence in it of calculi
(stones) in man is a frequent source of trouble. In domestic animals, as
in man, hot climates tend to produce diseases of the liver, just as in
cold climates lung diseases prevail. Not only are diseases of the liver
rare in horses in temperate climates, but they are also very obscure,
and in many cases pass totally unobserved until after death. There are
some symptoms, however, which, when present, should make us examine the
liver as carefully as possible. These are jaundice (yellowness of the
mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and eyes) and the condition of the
dung, it being light in color and pasty in appearance.
HEPATITIS, OR INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER.
This disease may be general or local, and may assume an acute or chronic
form.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account