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._--The symptoms of acute hepatitis are: Dullness; the horse is
suffering from some internal pain, but not of a severe type; constipated
and clay-colored dung balls; scanty and high-colored urine; and general
febrile symptoms. If lying down, he is mostly found on the left side;
looks occasionally toward the right side, which, upon close inspection,
may be found to be slightly enlarged over the posterior ribs, where pain
upon pressure is also evinced. Obscure lameness in front, of the right
leg mostly, may be a symptom of hepatitis. The horse, toward the last,
reels or staggers in his gait and falls backward in a fainting fit,
during one of which he finally succumbs. Death is sometimes due to
rupture of the enveloping coat of the liver or of some of its blood
vessels.
_Causes._--Among the causes that lead to this disease we must mention
first the stimulating effect of overfeeding, particularly during hot
weather. Horses that are well fed and receive but little exercise are
the best subjects for diseases of this organ. We must add to these
causes the more mechanical ones, as injuries on the right side over the
liver, worms in the liver, gallstones in the biliary ducts, foreign
bodies--as needles or nails that have been swallowed and in their
wanderings have entered the liver--and, lastly, in some instances, the
extension of inflammation from neighboring parts, thus involving this
organ. Acute hepatitis may terminate in chronic inflammation, abscesses,
rupture of the liver, or may disappear, leaving behind no trace of
disease whatever.
_Treatment._--This should consist, at first, of the administration of 1
ounce of Barbados aloes or other physic. General blood-letting, if had
recourse to early, must prove of much benefit in acute inflammation of
the liver. The vein in the neck (jugular) must be opened, and from 4 to
6 quarts of blood may be drawn. Saline medicines, as Glauber's salt or
the artificial Carlsbad salt, are indicated. These may be given with the
feed in tablespoonful doses. The horse is to be fed sparingly on soft
feed, bran mashes chiefly. If treatment proves successful and recovery
takes place, see to it that the horse afterwards gets regular exercise
and that his feed is not of a too highly nutritious character and not
excessive.
JAUNDICE, ICTERUS, OR THE YELLOWS.
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