Part 13

RED WORM.

(Strongylus Tetracanthus)

The Red Worm varies in length from one-third to three and one-quarter inches, and is sometimes white, though it usually appears to be red because of the blood it contains. This parasite is found in all parts of the world. Its favorite haunt is marshy land.

SYMPTOMS.—Paleness of all visible membranes, eyes watery and inflamed, swelling of the sheath, legs, and lower surface of the belly; fetid diarrhoea, dullness, debility, emaciation, rough coat, and the presence of worms in the feces. The worms when first passed are bright red in color but after being exposed to the air they turn dark and may easily escape the notice of the casual observer.

TREATMENT.—Withhold all food for twenty-four hours, then place the following drugs in a gelatin capsule: Calomel, two drams, Barbadoes Aloes, three drams; Ferri Sulphate, two drams. Give with capsule gun. Also place the following tonic in their feed: Pulv. Quassia, one ounce; Ferri Sulphate, two ounces; Pulv. Anise Seed, two ounces. Mix and make sixteen powders. Give one powder two or three times a day in the feed.

RHEUMATISM.

CAUSE.—Exposure to cold rains, drafts, lying on damp ground when the blood is in poor condition. Also due to over-stimulating food.

SYMPTOMS.—Lameness, swelling or soreness which may shift from one place to another, then finally locate in or near one of the joints of the limbs.

TREATMENT.—Take away all grains and feed laxative foods such as potatoes, carrots, apples, kale and good hay. If the weather is warm turn out to pasture, but confine in warm stable at night. It is advisable to give a physic, as Aloin, two drams; Gentian, one dram; Ginger, one dram. Place in gelatin capsule and give at one dose with capsule gun, as its action on the blood has a very good effect. When the swellings are painful, apply Camphorated Liniment once or twice daily. Also, administer the following tonic: Potassi Iodide, one ounce; Nitrate of Potash, two ounces; Chlorate of Potash, two ounces; Pulv. Gentian Root, one ounce; Ferri Sulphate, one ounce; Pulv. Anise Seed, four ounces. Mix well and make into twenty powders. Give one powder three times a day in bran or place in capsule and give with capsule gun.

RING BONE.

CAUSE.—Faulty conformation—a narrow or straight pastern joint is considered faulty. Be very careful in selecting a sire when breeding, as faulty conformation is hereditary. Ringbone may also result when young animals are put to work on hard roads, or running in stony pastures sometimes produces Ringbone before the bones have become properly hardened. Other causes are injury to tendons or ligaments, bruised joints, blows, calking, or picking up a nail.

SYMPTOMS.—Lameness will manifest itself when the horse first starts out in the morning; this may become less noticeable or even disappear temporarily as the animal works. They gradually grow lamer and examination will disclose an enlargement at or around the top of the hoof. This may appear in one or more feet, but the front feet are more often affected.

TREATMENT.—If the Ringbone is very much inflamed, reduce the heat by applying cold water or ice packs to the part. Clip off all hair from around the top of the hoof and rub in well for twenty minutes the following: Red Iodide of Mercury, two drams; Pulv. Cantharides, two drams; Turpentine, one dram; Pine Tar, two drams, and mix in two ounces of Lard. Apply the ointment every two days for a week and repeat same treatment in two weeks. Keeping the animal as quiet as possible will hasten its recovery. If the animal is comparatively young, recovery is certain, although the enlargement may never disappear.

ROUND WORM.

(Ascaris Megalcephala)

Resembles the Earth Worm somewhat in shape, yellowish-white in color, stiff and elastic. When full grown, it varies in length from six to sixteen inches. These worms are usually found in the small intestines, although they sometimes invade the stomach, and when numerous seriously disturb the animal’s health.

SYMPTOMS.—The animal’s general health is affected as is evident from the morbid state of his appetite, rough coat, pot-belly, liability to colic and slight diarrhoea. Some of these worms are often expelled with the feces. As they increase in number, they block up the small intestines, giving rise to colic, and may in time kill the horse. They sometimes cause perforation of the bowels.

TREATMENT.—Withhold all food from eighteen to twenty-four hours, then administer the following: Ferri Sulphate, two drams; Antimony Tartrate, two drams; Pulv. Quassia, two drams. Place in gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun. Follow this from six to eight hours with Aloin, two drams; Ginger, two drams, and give as above directed. It is a good plan to repeat the above treatment in ten days to insure the removal of any worms which may have survived the first treatment.

SCROTAL RUPTURE.

(Inguinal Hernia)

CAUSE.—Abnormal size of the upper ring through which a part of the intestines or its connecting membrane descends into and through the canal leading from the abdomen to the scrotal cavity. There is little danger of strangulation from this form of rupture which may occur at birth and disappear with age. A careful examination should therefore be made of the scrotum before castration.

SYMPTOMS.—In most cases, this condition is easily detected. The scrotum will be somewhat enlarged. Sometimes the intestines will become strangulated and colicky symptoms appear. When a young male colt shows signs of colic, examine him for Scrotal Rupture.

TREATMENT.—The trouble usually disappears with age although in some cases it is well to operate. Where colicky symptoms are present, roll the colt on its back, manipulating the scrotum. Diet carefully.

SHOE BOIL.

CAUSE.—Injuries, bruises or pressure when lying on a rough floor. Sharp heeled shoes and kicks also have a tendency to produce it.

SYMPTOMS.—A hot painful swelling of the Elbow joint when first noticed. When neglected, it takes on a white fibrous or callous growth.

TREATMENT.—First remove the cause. Do not lance the enlargement; let it come to a head of its own accord, by applying Red Iodide of Mercury, two drams; Pulv. Cantharides, three drams; Lard, two ounces. Mix well together and apply twice a week. When the swelling is hot and painful it is well to apply cold water or ice packs before applying the above mentioned prescription.

SPLINTS.