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
_Treatment_ calls for the expulsion of the adult worms from the
intestine, the development of the body resistance to repair the damage
wrought by the developing worms, and the combating of complications. For
the expulsion of the worms the use of carbon bisulphid in gelatin
capsules, 2 to 5 grams, according to the size of the patient, for five
days, followed by magnesium sulphate the sixth day, has been
recommended. Owing to the difficulty and danger in the administration of
carbon bisulphid in capsule, it is advisable to call in a veterinarian.
Tonic treatment consists in the subcutaneous administration of
artificial serum and caffein. The various complications of bacterial
infection, colic, heart depression, etc., call for the attention of a
veterinarian. Preventive measures consist in avoiding reinfection with
worms so far as possible by using dry upland pasture in preference to
low, wet land, and by rotating pastures or rotation of the stock on a
given pasture. Horses may be alternated with cattle, sheep, or hogs to
advantage, so far as parasites are concerned. Another feature, always of
importance, is the provision of a pure, potable drinking water.
BOTS (_Gastrophilus_ spp.).--Bots (Pl. VI) are quite common in the
stomach and upper part of the small intestine of the horse anywhere in
the United States, one kind being occasionally found in the rectum. They
attach to that portion of the mucous lining of the stomach nearest the
esophagus or sometimes around the pyloric opening to the intestine or
even in the upper intestine, and undoubtedly interfere with the proper
functioning of the stomach and the health of the animal to a certain
extent. The symptoms are rather vague as a rule, but the general result
is a condition of unthriftiness.
A treatment which has been found effective consists in feeding lightly
on the day preceding treatment, withholding food in the evening and
giving an ounce of Barbados aloes or a pint of linseed oil. The next
day give 3 drams of carbon bisulphid in a gelatin capsule at 6 o'clock,
repeat the dose at 7 o'clock, and again at 8 o'clock, making a total of
9 drams altogether for an adult horse; half that amount will be
sufficient for a yearling colt. As previously noted, there is some
little difficulty and danger of accident in the administration of
treatments of this character and it is advisable to call in a
veterinarian.
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