The Veterinarian

C >> Chas. J. Korinek >> The Veterinarian

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SURFEIT

(Nettle-Rash--Urtecaria)

CAUSE: The usual cause of Surfeit is supposed to be due to a character
of food consumed which upsets the animal's digestive organs, the skin
being continuous with the mucous membranes lining the intestinal canal.
A disturbance of the one structure is readily communicated to the other.
Apparently, owing to the extreme dry nature of the forage during the
greater part of the year, horses in the United States frequently suffer
from Surfeit.

SYMPTOMS: Surfeit is a term applied to an eruption of small irregular
lumps or boils which are more or less painful to the touch and which
break out suddenly as a rule on the horse's body and neck, and in rare
cases on the legs. A favorite seat of Surfeit is the parts covered with
the harness or saddle and along the neck and withers. Surfeit is very
troublesome and annoys both the horse and driver, especially when the
horse perspires, as he will rub violently when coming in contact with
any object.

TREATMENT: Give two to four ounces of Epsom Salts in hot wheat bran
mashes every morning. Feed as much sloppy food as possible, vegetables,
etc. Avoid feeding dry woody hay, as it irritates the intestines and
aggravates the disease.

SWEENEY

(Atrophy)

CAUSE: An ill fitting collar, one tug longer than the other, striking an
object when pulling, like a stone or a corner of a building, slipping,
kicks, or the animal may have a splint, sprain, ringbone, side bone,
coffin-joint lameness, curb, corns, stifle lameness, in fact anything
that tends to make an animal favor the use of certain muscles. It is not
a disease, just a lack in the development of the muscles, which waste
away or shrink when not used as nature provided. For instance, perhaps
you have had or have seen persons that had a fractured leg or arm and on
account of not being able to use the leg or arm the muscles wasted away
(Atrophy), until they were used normally for sometime, when the muscles
again came back to their normal size.

SYMPTOMS: First locate the cause. The animal may be very lame although I
have seen Sweeneys where lameness was very hard to detect, being those
which were usually due to ill fitting collars. Remember you can have a
Sweeney of the hip as well as the shoulder, and keep in mind the above
mentioned causes.

TREATMENT: When you have an animal affected with Sweeney, find the true
cause and remove it if possible. Unless the Sweeney is an old chronic
one, it is successfully treated with Aqua Ammonia Fort., four ounces;
Turpentine, four ounces; Sweet Oil, four ounces. Mix and apply well over
wasted muscles once a day. If the application is too irritating, as some
horses have thinner skins than others, it is advisable to add more Sweet
Oil than above mentioned.

TAPEWORM

(Taenia)

These worms have been found in the horse, but so rarely that they need
not be considered.

THOROUGHPIN

CAUSE: Generally due to some irritation of the hock joint such as severe
sprains from animal jumping, slipping, kick or falling through a culvert
or bridge or it is frequently hereditary; so be very careful in choosing
a sire when breeding.

SYMPTOMS: Sometimes there is lameness when the Thoroughpin is first
noticed, but it will gradually disappear as soon as the inflammation
ceases. There will be a puffy, soft enlargement which occurs at the
upper and back part of the hock, beneath the great tendons. Generally
both sides are enlarged and puffy, but occasionally it happens that one
side is only involved. Thoroughpin is also a forerunner of Bog Spavin as
they generally are connected, as you are aware that the hock contains
joint oil as all other joints do, retained in place by a thin, white
fibrous membrane. Irritation of the hock joint tends to develop an extra
large quantity of joint oil, and the hock is less protected by tendons
where a Thoroughpin or Bog Spavin occurs--hence those puffy swellings
are filled with joint oil and are connected. If you press on one side of
a Thoroughpin, you will see the other side bulge out. If you press on a
Bog Spavin and there is a Thoroughpin present, you will see it bulge on
either side of the Thoroughpin--or vice versa.

TREATMENT: If on an old horse and the Thoroughpin is of long standing,
treatment is unsatisfactory, but on the other hand if the animal is
young it can be successfully treated with Tincture of Iodine, one ounce;
Gum Camphor, two ounces; Gasolene, one pint. Mix well and rub in with
nail or tooth brush twice a week. Keep the animal as quiet as possible
as the results will be accomplished much sooner. Never attempt to open
or lance a puffy swelling about a joint as it contains joint oil. The
result would be an open joint.

THRUSH

CAUSE: The two main causes of Thrush are lack of pressure on the frog
and the decomposing effect of filth and fermentation of organic matter
which accumulates in the cleft of the frog.

SYMPTOMS: The animal in some cases is lame; there will be a swelling
accompanied by a very fetid discharge; in some cases the frog has
practically rotted away; there will be more or less inflammation in the
foot. The legs may even swell. Thrush is more frequently found in the
hind feet because of the manure and filth with which they must come in
contact.

TREATMENT: Cut away all loose pieces of horn from over the frog and
apply a Flaxseed meal poultice and leave it on for twenty-four hours,
after which wash well with Soap and warm water. Then apply Calomel to
the groove in the frog. Keep the foot clean. Do not allow the animal to
stand in filth.

WIND COLIC

(Flatulent Colic)

CAUSE: This dangerous form of Colic is a distension of the bowels with
gas, resulting generally from the decomposition of undigested food in
the bowels. It sometimes follows Spasmodic Colic, in which there is
first spasms due to the irritations set up by the presence of undigested
matter, and subsequently this food decomposes and forms gas. I may
conclude that Flatulent or Wind Colic is usually caused by errors in
feeding and watering horses. Perhaps the animal has been given large
quantities of rank grass, watery roots, which on account of its moist
nature is quickly swallowed without being properly masticated.

SYMPTOMS: The signs resemble those of Spasmodic Colic, except that they
are less violent. In most cases there is general accumulation of gas,
the abdomen distended to a considerable size before the animal shows
signs of uneasiness. In cases where the animal swells on the right side,
it is the large intestines filled with gas. In other cases where both
sides are equally swollen, the stomach and small intestines contain gas.
The horse's back will have an arched appearance, passing of gas from the
anus frequently, the horse will make attempts to vomit. In some cases
actual vomiting takes place. This is a bad sign, as rupture of the
stomach usually occurs at this stage.

TREATMENT: Give Aloin, two drams; Ginger, two drams, in gelatin capsule
and give with capsule gun. However, this is a physic and should not be
given to mares heavily in foal. Also apply to the abdominal cavity,
liniment consisting of Aqua Ammonia Fort., four ounces; Oil of
Turpentine, four ounces; Sweet Oil, four ounces. Mix and rub in well
over the abdomen.

To mares heavy with foal, apply the above liniment and give rectal
injections of Glycerine and warm water frequently.

The following remedy should be administered to all cases of Colic,
including mares heavy with foal: Aromatic Spirits of Ammonia, six
ounces; Turpentine, six ounces. Mix well together and place one ounce in
gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun every hour. Puncturing the
intestines is advisable in some cases to relieve them of gas. This
requires a special instrument for the purpose and no one should attempt
to perform the operation unless they know the anatomy of the part, as
the arteries of the intestines may be penetrated and produce internal
hemorrhage or infection of the intestines, or abscesses may follow.

WIND GALLS

CAUSE: By concussions from fast work on hard roads and from sprains from
slipping.

SYMPTOMS: When concussions alone are responsible, the suspensory
ligament and the back tendons will at first be in a normal condition,
and the swelling will probably be confined to both the inside and
outside of the leg, and may be felt in the form of a puffy swelling on
each side of the fetlock by placing the fore finger and the thumb on the
joint. In more serious cases resulting from sprains, the vacant space
between the back tendons and the suspensory ligament may also become
filled with fluids. In other words, a Wind Gall has formed. In some
cases the animal may be lame.

TREATMENT: When there is heat present apply cold, wet packs until the
heat disappears. Then apply Tincture of Iodine, one ounce; Gum Camphor,
two ounces; to one pint of Gasolene. Apply every three days with nail or
tooth brush. Shake contents of the bottle well each time before
applying.

I may add that this is a very difficult blemish to treat and is not
always successful, so do not be discouraged if the enlargements do not
disappear, but the above prescription has proven the most successful of
any treatment I have personally used in my private practice.

WOLF OR SUPERNUMERARY TEETH

Wolf Teeth are comparatively small in size and have only one root and
are found just in front of the upper molar teeth. Sometimes they do
harm, but that is an exception and not the rule. They can be easily
removed with a pair of small forceps or they may be punched out in some
instances.

I think they interfere with the eyes, causing them to become watery and
inflamed due to the tooth exerting some influence upon the ophthalmic
division of the fifth nerve.

Supernumerary Teeth: Tooth substance may develop in almost any part of
the body. These are called Supernumerary Teeth and are most commonly
found in the testicles, ovaries and sinuses of the head, etc.

WOUNDS

Wounds caused by external injuries have a general resemblance, and
whether clean-cut, punctured, lacerated, poisonous, gunshot, etc.,
require practically the same treatment.

TREATMENT: Wash with a Carbolic solution, one tablespoonful to one pint
of distilled water.

SEWING OF WOUNDS: I cannot say that I am in favor of sewing wounds
unless they are gaping or wide open.

After the wound is washed, dust with Iodoform, Boracic Acid and Tannic
Acid, each one ounce. Powder finely and place in a sifter top can and
apply twice daily. Cord or heavy thread may be used for sewing the wound
after being saturated in a Carbolic Acid solution, using a large darning
needle. If the animal is vicious, place a twitch on his nose or it may
be necessary to throw him.

DISEASES OF CATTLE

Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

[Illustration: Photograph of cow with numbers referring to
the parts named below.]

1. Mouth
2. Nostrils
3. Muzzle
4. Face
5. Eyes
6. Forehead
7. Ears
6. Poll
9. Horns
10. Jaws
11. Dewlap
12. Brisket
13. Neck
14. Withers
15. Crops
16. Shoulders
17. Heart Girth
18. Fore flank
19. Legs
20. Feet
21. Dew claws
22. Belly
23. Milk wells
24. Milk veins
25. Fore udder
26. Teats
27. Barrel or ribs
28. Back
29. Coupling
30. Rear Flanks
31. Hook points
32. Tail-head
33. Pin bones or thurls
34. Rump
35. Esoutcheon
36. Tail
37. Thighs
38. Rear Udder
39. Switch

CHAPTER II

ABSCESSES

CAUSE: Bruises and injuries. They are also seen in complication with
various other diseases, as Laryngitis, Pharyngitis, Tuberculosis, Lump
Jaw, Blood Poison or Pyemia and Septicemia.

SYMPTOMS: Symptoms will vary according to the nature of the disease or
injury. It may not be noticed at first, but upon careful examination
swollen lines will be observed running from the point of swelling. In
many cases a swelling is noticed which is hot, painful and throbbing,
which enlarges rapidly in two or three days. The swelling and heat
gradually disappear but the Abscess continues to grow. The hair falls
from the point of swelling and in a short time breaks and discharges
pus. The cavity gradually fills up and heals by granulation.

TREATMENT: In all cases, hasten the ripening process as much as possible
by applying hot water packs or hot bran, flaxseed or vegetable
poultices. It is common with Veterinarians to lance an Abscess as soon
as possible, but this requires considerable skill and practice and I
would advise stock owners to be very cautious when performing this
operation, as there is great danger of cutting arteries which would
cause excessive bleeding. A very good plan is to encourage the full
ripening of an Abscess, as above stated. When opened, do not squeeze the
Abscess to any extent, but press gently with clean hands or cloth to
remove the core or clot. After this, just simply keep the Abscess open
by washing with a three per cent Carbolic Acid solution, or Bichloride
of Mercury, one in one thousand solution. Hyposulphite of Soda in ounce
doses should be given two or three times a day in their drinking water.
This will prevent the absorption of impurities from the abscess into the
blood circulation.

ABORTION

(Non-Contagious)

CAUSE: Injuries from slipping or falling on icy roads, in box cars, and
deep gutters; receiving blows on the body, keeping the animal in
insanitary stables, eating poor food that may be irritating or
poisonous, etc. In such cases, the cow's vitality is low so that the
foetus dies and is expelled as a result. Losing large quantities of
blood also produces Abortion, or a cow heavy with calf, on being placed
in the same quarters with the cows that retain their afterbirth, is
liable to abort. Intestinal worms, lung worms, liver flukes, causing an
excessive drain upon the system or producing irritation of the digestive
organs, in consequence of which cow gets very poor and emaciated. The
above mentioned are perhaps the most common causes of "Non-Contagious
Abortion."

SYMPTOMS: The cow is uneasy, becomes separated from the herd, the bag
and vagina may be slightly inflamed and perhaps the latter discharging.
If a cow heavy with calf craves the chewing and eating of dirt, rags,
nails, etc., this is a sign of a lack of iron or phosphorus in her
system and food containing these elements should be provided.

PREVENTIVE TREATMENT: Provide clean, warm, comfortable quarters, good
food, pure water to drink, do not subject her to any injuries, do not
permit her coming in contact with cows retaining their afterbirth.

The above mentioned is very important, especially if the cows are
valuable and a large yield of milk is expected. If they have worms,
treat the same as under their special heading. If they have a loss of
blood or a lack of mineral matter in their system, the following is very
efficient: Pulv. Ferri Sulphate, four ounces; Pulv. Nux Vomica, two
ounces; Pulv. Fenugreek Seed, four ounces. Mix and make into sixteen
powders. Give one powder two or three times a day in feed or place in a
gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun.

AMAUROSIS OF THE EYE

CAUSE: Paralysis of the optic nerve.

SYMPTOMS: Pupil fully dilated and of a glassy appearance. This condition
is sometimes called "Glass Eye." The cow carries the head high and steps
high. This condition is very uncommon in cattle.

TREATMENT: Nothing can be done for a cow if she is blind, but this
condition may be prevented if detected in its early stages of
development by the proper feeding of nourishing food, good clean
surroundings and the administration of nerve tonics, as Pulv. Nux
Vomica, four ounces; Pulv. Gentian Root, four ounces; Potassium Iodide,
three ounces. Make into twenty-four powders and place one powder in feed
two or three times daily; or make into twenty-four capsules and give one
capsule two or three times a day with capsule gun.

ANTHRAX

Anthrax is a very contagious disease and is communicable to all warm
blooded animals and man.

CAUSE: Due to the presence of a germ called the Bacillus of Anthrax and
is one of the oldest diseases attributed to germs. These Bacilli thrive
in warm climates, although found in cold countries. The infection is
carried to various parts of the world by box-cars, ships, hides, hoofs,
horns, wool and hair taken from sick or dead animals affected with
Anthrax. This, perhaps, is the most common method of spreading the
disease.

SYMPTOMS: Loss of appetite, grinding of the teeth indicating great pain,
trembling of the muscles, temperature elevated to 104 or 106 degrees F.,
breathing very rapid, pulse fast and weak, hair rough. There are some
cases where the animals are seized quickly with the disease and die very
suddenly. This form resembles apoplexy. Carbuncles or Abscesses are seen
on the surface of the body in nearly all cases, also a bloody discharge
from the mouth and nose. The animal may stamp the ground, rear in the
air, run and finally go into convulsions and die. This is termed "the
furious form of Anthrax."

TREATMENT: Prevention is the most important. Fields or pastures that are
infected with this disease should be burned every summer if possible, to
destroy the germs. The animals that succumb to the disease should be
buried deeply and quicklime thrown upon them, also any blood stains upon
the ground should have a strong disinfectant thrown upon them. The hide
of such an animal should not be used as the person removing it is likely
to contract the same disease, especially if an abrasion is present on
the hand, or such a hide or any portion thereof is likely to spread the
infection after reaching the tannery, etc.

MEDICAL TREATMENT OR SERUM TREATMENT: This is the only thorough method
of eradicating the disease, and when this disease once becomes prevalent
in a locality the services of a competent Veterinarian should be secured
and all the animals inoculated.

BARRENNESS

(Failure to Breed)

CAUSE: Wasting or Atrophy, chronic inflammation of the mucous membrane
lining the organs of generation, Whites, absence or excessive secretions
of the organs of generation, contraction or displacement of the womb,
horns being telescoped or twisted, cysts or growths of the ovaries,
in-breeding or being a twin, are the predisposing causes of Barrenness.

TREATMENT: Unsuccessful as a rule. Unless the cow is very valuable,
treatment is not advisable. A careful examination, however, is
recommended. If due to contraction of the neck of the womb it can be
readily dilated by the use of the hand, after being greased with
Carbolated Sweet Oil before attempting to perform the operation.

BLACK LEG

(Symptomatic Anthrax--Black Quarter)

CAUSE: Due to germs. The Bacillus of Black Leg perhaps gains entrance to
the blood by wounds of the skin or the mucous membranes lining the mouth
and the intestines. This disease principally affects cattle, although
sheep and goats may become affected with the same disease.

SYMPTOMS: This disease affects cattle that are in good condition between
the ages of six months and two years. In most cases death is very
sudden, and perhaps the animal is found dead. The first symptoms are
high temperatures from 104 to 108 degrees F., loss of appetite, the
animal stops chewing the cud, breathing considerably hurried, the joints
of the limbs become swollen, also the chest and shoulders. All the
swellings are painful on pressure and spread very rapidly over the body.
The affected animals move with great difficulty and lie down frequently.
If the hand is passed over the body, there is a peculiar crackling sound
due to the gas developing under the skin. At the most distended portions
of the swellings, the skin becomes dry and the animal apparently has no
sense of feeling. If the skin is punctured at this place, there will be
a dark-red, frothy discharge which has a very disagreeable odor. There
will be a shivering of the muscles and the animal dies from convulsions.

TREATMENT: Remove non-affected animals to non-infected pastures, and
confine affected animals to as small a territory as possible. The
carcasses of the dead animals should be buried deep and covered with
lime or burned, being very careful that all blood stains on the ground
where the animals have been skinned are thoroughly disinfected.
Inoculation is necessary, and is the best form of treatment in
localities where Black Leg exists. Inoculate or vaccinate the calves
when six months old or over, although after the animal reaches the age
of two years or over they generally become immune from this disease.

BLEEDING

(Hemorrhage)

CAUSE: Sometimes bleeding follows dehorning, castration, and wounds due
to various other causes.

TREATMENT: When bleeding from a large artery, it should be tied with a
clean silk or linen thread or twisted with a pair of forceps or
cauterized with a hot iron. Sometimes compression by the use of tightly
bound bandages proves effective, although the former appliances are more
practical. Tincture Chloride of Iron applied to small arteries or veins
causes the blood to clot in the arteries or veins and hence stops the
Hemorrhage. It is very essential that all wounds should be treated
antiseptically and I cannot say that I favor washing a wound with water
only in cases where the wound is very filthy, and I prefer powder
applications in preference to any other antiseptics. The following will
be found very effective in the treatment of the majority of wounds:
Boracic Acid, two ounces; Iodoform, two drams; Tannic Acid, one-half
ounce; Calomel, one dram. Powder finely and mix well. Place in sifter
top can and apply two or three times daily.

BLOATING

A very common disorder in cattle and characterized by a puffed up
appearance of the left flank. The cow has four stomachs of which the
rumen is the largest, its capacity being about fifty gallons in the
average cow, and it is this stomach which fills with gas when a cow
bloats.

CAUSE: Eating green clover or alfalfa; even when a cow is accustomed to
this diet, it may cause bloating if wet with dew or rain; cured alfalfa,
moldy or frozen mangles will also produce bloating; the above mentioned
foods undergo a process of fermentation which causes excessive formation
of gas, and death may result very quickly and may be due to rupture of
the stomach or the diaphragm (muscle separating the abdominal and lung
cavities), but is more often due to suffocation caused by the distension
of the stomach which becomes so large that it presses the diaphragm
forward against the lungs in such a manner as to stop their movement and
the animal smothers. When the cow falls, it indicates that one of these
possibilities has occurred and death follows quickly.

SYMPTOMS: Cattle usually bloat suddenly and without warning; the left
flank becomes abnormally swollen; back is arched, breathing labored;
sometimes the tongue hangs out and the animal bellows. When rupture or
suffocation occurs the animal reels, staggers, and falls, after which
nothing more can be done.

TREATMENT: No time should be lost. Where the stomach is enormously
distended with gas so as to cause the animals to stagger and breathe
very rapidly, they should be gagged. This can be easily accomplished by
taking a piece of wood about two inches in diameter, and eight inches to
one foot long, placing it in their mouth and retaining it in that
position by tying a string on each end and placing it back of the ears.
If this does not give relief immediately, puncture the left flank about
five inches downward and forward from the angle of hip bone. However,
puncturing should not be resorted to only in cases where death threatens
the animal, as abscesses, infection and severe hemorrhage may follow. A
very reliable medical treatment for this condition should be in the
medicine chest of every stockman, such as Pulv. Asafetida, Oil of
Turpentine, each one ounce. Place in gelatin capsules. This is a very
efficient remedy for the eradication of excessive fermentation of gases
in the stomach or bloating.

BLOOD POISON

(Pyemia-Septicaemia)

CAUSE: Due to a septic infection taken into the blood, frequently found
in cows with retained afterbirths, following inflammation of the womb or
intestines, wounds and bruises of the skin and frequently found in
calves affected with Joint Ill.

SYMPTOMS: High temperature 103 to 107 degrees F., pulse rapid and
feeble, breathing increased, grinding of the teeth, the animal refuses
to eat in most cases and ceases to chew the cud, although there may be
great thirst present. Abscesses may form in various parts of the body,
the membranes of the eyes and mouth will be injected with blood, giving
them a dark-red appearance, although in the latter stages of Blood
Poison this may change to a yellowish tinge. Constipation or Diarrhoea
may be connected with the disease. The animal dies by general emaciation
from four to six days after the first symptoms are noticed.

TREATMENT: Unsuccessful, as when the infection once becomes absorbed in
the blood it is always certain that death will follow. If due to
injuries or wounds, wash them with Bichloride solution, one part to one
thousand parts of water, but if due to retained afterbirth or
inflammation of the womb, inject one gallon of distilled water
containing five per cent Carbolic Acid. If in young calves, treat the
same as under the heading of Joint Ill. If due to inflammation of the
intestines, give Hyposulphite of Soda, two ounces; Potassi Iodide, one
dram, two or three times a day in their drinking water. When abscesses
form, lance them with a clean, sharp knife. If the animal is constipated
place two drams of Aloin, two drams of Pulv. Gentian Root in a capsule
and give with capsule gun. If Diarrhoea is present give Gum Catechu, two
drams; Protan, three drams; Zinc Sulphocarbolates, one grain. Place in
gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun. Feed warm wheat bran mashes,
steamed rolled oats, vegetables and green grass, if possible.

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