SYMPTOMS: Vary to a certain extent, but a careful observer will detect
some trouble connected with the nervous system, as the animal walking
unsteadily, stepping high and keeping the legs spread apart, bracing
itself to keep from falling. There is also great depression, as dullness
and sleepiness with little or no inclination to move about. The head may
be placed against a wall or fence and the legs kept moving as if the
horse were trying to walk. As the disease progresses and no attempts are
made to relieve it, they will become fractious, nervous, easily excited,
pawing and eventually fall, keeping the feet moving as if walking,
throwing their heads about in a delirious manner and eventually death
follows. The horse as a rule eats and drinks ravenously when the first
signs of staggers are noticed, but in its latter stages the tongue and
gullet become paralyzed and although the animal attempts to eat and
drink he cannot swallow. The pulse varies. It is strong, but subnormal
when the first symptoms of staggers are noticed, that is to say, it is
as slow as twenty to twenty-five beats per minute. As the disease
progresses, however, it becomes weaker and faster. Constipation
frequently accompanies this disease, also paleness tinged with yellow
about the mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes. In many instances I
believe that the poisonous forage eaten by horses depresses the heart
action to such an extent that it results in the brain not receiving the
proper blood supply, causing dizziness or staggers.
TREATMENT: Place the animal in a clean, dark stall, keeping the
surroundings as quiet as possible. In its first stages it is easily
treated, but as the horse becomes easily excited and his swallowing
becomes difficult, treatment becomes more difficult. When the first
signs are noticed, administer a physic as: Aloin, two or three drams;
Ginger, two or three drams, according to the size of the animal. Place
in gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun. This physic removes the
irritant from the intestines and prevents its absorption into the blood.
Also administer the following: Bromide of Potassium, twelve ounces;
Nitrate of Potash, four ounces; Iodide of Potash, three ounces. Make
into twenty-four capsules and give one capsule every four hours.
My method of administering medicine to animals places me in a position
to treat them and compel them to take the medicine even though paralysis
may exist. When animals will eat, feed food that is easily digested, as
hot wheat bran mashes, steamed rolled oats and vegetables and give small
quantities, but often, of clean fresh water. It is necessary to give
stimulants and tonics as soon as they are on the road to recovery, as
Pulv. Nux Vomica, four ounces; Pulv. Gentian Root, four ounces; Sulphate
of Iron, two ounces. Make into sixteen capsules and give one capsule
three times daily.
STIFLE JOINT LAMENESS
(Dislocation of the Patella)
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account