Part 16

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 gas from the anus frequently, and 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.

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 needle. If the animal is vicious, place a twitch on his nose or it may be necessary to throw him.

INDEX

Abortion, 10

Abscess, 10

Acute Cough, 29

Anemia, 11

Aphthae, 13

Ascaris Megalcephala, 71

Atrophy, 83

Azoturia, 13