Part 11

2. Any drug having any beneficial effects as a tonic is very bitter, consequently the only way the animal will take it is by placing in capsule.

JOINT ILL, NAVEL ILL.

(Umbilical Pyemia and Septicemia)

CAUSE.—This disease is produced by various germs entering the navel cord of newly born calves when dropped, the navel being freshly severed and coming in contact with filth and manure where germs are numerous, consequently germs adhere and enter the blood stream. Calf Scours as a rule is associated with this disease.

SYMPTOMS.—Swelling of the joints which are very hot and painful on pressure, and when the calf is made to move it walks stiffly and slowly, does not care to nurse its mother or take any food, temperature elevated from 105° to 108° F., breathing hurried, pulse very weak and quick. There will be an offensive discharge from the navel cord of a yellowish color and swollen joints finally break and also discharge a thick yellow pus. The calf becomes emaciated and finally dies from exhaustion.

TREATMENT.—Prevention. Provide clean surroundings for cows when calving, and in addition to this have a one in one thousandth solution of Bichloride of Mercury on hand. Wash the navel well in the solution once a day until the cord is thoroughly dried.

MEDICAL TREATMENT.—Unsuccessful. Sometimes the calf recovers, but at best the calf is badly stunted and is very seldom worth keeping. However, the following method of treatment has been followed with fairly good results: Wash the navel cord well in a one thousandth solution of Bichloride of Mercury two or three times a day and give Zinc Sulphocarbolates, one-fourth grain; Potassi Iodide, five grains, in a little water or milk three or four times a day. Feed them three or four eggs a day, molasses, fresh milk. This will keep up the strength and vitality and a good recovery may follow, although it is an exception and not a rule.

LACERATION OF THE EYELID.

CAUSE.—An eyelid may be torn on the manger, rubbing post or barb wire fence, etc.

TREATMENT.—Wash the lacerated portions of the eye thoroughly with a five per cent solution of Carbolic Acid. It may be necessary to take a few stitches in the wound or the torn edges may be cut off with a pair of sharp scissors. If stitches have been taken, they should be removed after the parts have united and the eye kept clean. A very convenient application for the eye in this condition is Boracic Acid, one dram; Distilled Water, four ounces. Apply liberally to the eye.

LEECHES.

(Blood Suckers)

Leeches which suck blood of cattle are sometimes taken up by the animals when drinking water from ponds, etc. The leeches attach themselves to the inner surface of the mouth or nose, and sometimes reach the upper part of windpipe or the gullet. Bleeding at the mouth or nose may be noticed, the membranes where the leeches attach themselves become congested and swollen, and as a result of the loss of blood anemic condition follows.

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TREATMENT.—If the leeches can be reached, they are easily destroyed by cutting them in two with a pair of scissors or they may be removed with a pair of forceps or with the fingers after wrapping a piece of cloth around them so as to prevent slipping.

Steam from boiling hot water containing Pine Tar or Oil or Turpentine may cause leeches to release their hold if they cannot be removed by other means. In ponds where leeches are numerous, eels should be introduced as they feed upon blood suckers of this species.

LUMPY JAW.

(Wooden Tongue, Big Head, Actinomycosis)

CAUSE.—The Ray Fungus. This organism which occurs in the tissues in the form of russets is directly transmitted from one animal to another. It seems apparent that the fungus is conveyed into the tissues of the mouth by various food stuff through slight wounds of the mucous membranes of the mouth or an animal that has decayed teeth or during the shedding of milk teeth. The Ray Fungus is found naturally vegetated or clinging on the awns of barley, the spears of oats and on other grains. Quantities of fungi have been found between the vegetable fibers of barley which had penetrated the gums of cattle and on the awns of grain imbedded in their tongues.

Lumpy Jaw can also be transmitted by coming in contact with or eating food over which lumpy jawed cattle have slobbered. A healthy animal eating such food with very slight bruises or abrasions of the mouth will contract the disease very readily. This disease is misleading as other organs are affected with the Ray Fungi or the Bacillus of Actinomycosis, as the lungs and even the digestive organs have been found to be affected with this disease.

SYMPTOMS.—External symptoms or signs are the only means by which to ascertain the disease. Its exact location is on the lower jaw bone near its angle. It may also affect the upper jaw, but this is an exception and not a rule. Internally it may affect the tongue, mouth, throat or lungs, but rarely the intestines. This enlargement continues to grow until it reaches the size of that of a man’s head, breaks and discharges pus. The animal becomes poor and emaciated, the hair takes on a dull roughened appearance and in many cases it is very difficult for it to eat, especially where the disease separates the gums and bone from the teeth and causes them to become very loose or to drop out. The animal in the latter stages of this disease generally dies from starvation.

TREATMENT.—Successful in its first stages. Soft, nitrogenous food should be fed, such as wheat bran mashes, steamed rolled oats or barley, hay dampened with clean water, so as to make it pliable. Hay containing woody matter as stems, etc., should not be fed to an animal affected with Lumpy Jaw as it tends to aggravate the disease. Internally in their drinking water give two drams of Potassium Iodide morning and night. This treatment, however, should be omitted when the animal’s skin becomes scaly or when an excessive watery discharge flows from the eyes. On the outer surface over the enlargement apply the following ointment: Red Iodide of Mercury, four drams; Lard, two ounces. Mix well and rub in briskly for twenty minutes every five or six days for three weeks. The cure can generally be ascertained by the animal gaining in flesh, although the lump may remain. Where Lumpy Jaw is of long standing so as to impair the use of the animal’s tongue or teeth, it is best to destroy the animal, as this lessens the possibility of infecting healthy animals.

LUNG FEVER.

(Pneumonia)

CAUSE.—Generally follows congestion of the lungs. It may be due to parasitic organisms or exposure to cold, drafts when warm after being driven, etc. Drenching perhaps is the most common cause as it is very difficult for a cow to swallow when the head is elevated; inhaling smoke, gases, etc., also tend to produce pneumonia.

SYMPTOMS.—Chilling or shivering, temperature elevated to 105° or 106° F., nose hot and dry, horns and legs cold. Pulse rapid though strong, breathing fast and the appetite very good in some cases. The animal urinates small quantities of urine but often, of a dark amber color. A discharge from the nose follows, also a cough. If the ear is placed back of the fore leg, a dry crackling sound can be heard something on the order of rubbing hair between the fingers.

TREATMENT.—Place the animal in a dry, well lighted and ventilated stable, but avoid drafts. Give Pulv. Iodide of Ammonia, one ounce; Pulv. Potassium Nitrate, four ounces; Pulv. Nux Vomica, four ounces; Pulv. Capsicum, one ounce; Quinine, one ounce. Mix well and make into thirty-two powders. Place one powder in gelatin capsule and administer every three or four hours with capsule gun. Supply the animal with fresh water at all times. Feed laxative food as hot wheat bran mashes or steamed rolled oats. Also feed vegetables, such as potatoes, apples, carrots and kale. It is also advisable to apply the following over the region of the lungs just back of the fore legs: Aqua Ammonia Fort., four ounces; Oil or Turpentine, four ounces; Raw Linseed Oil, six ounces. Mix and shake well and apply two or three times daily. It is also advisable to hand rub the legs and bandage them with woolen cloths.

If the above treatment is properly carried out, the animal will make a complete recovery in a week or ten days.