Causes: green leguminosæ, dew, rain, dry indigestible food, lack of
water or exercise, debility, torpid liver. Symptoms: firm, small,
coated stools, obstruction, straining, tympany, rumbling, vomiting,
anorexia, lies on belly, secludes himself, restless, grinding teeth,
diarrhœa. Diagnosis from hog cholera. Treatment: laxatives, enemata,
antiferments, rubbing, massage, mechanical unloading of rectum,
puncture, dieting, bitters.
_Causes._ The leguminosæ in their green state are liable to produce
indigestion and flatulence in the pig. If covered by dew or rain this
tendency is increased. Dry, fibrous or indigestible food with privation
of water and of exercise tends to intestinal impaction. Debility from
any cause, by weakening the contractility and secretory power of the
bowel strongly predisposes to this condition. Torpid liver with
diminished secretion of bile is another common factor.
_Symptoms._ The defecations are infrequent, and small, and covered by a
mucus film on a glazed surface. This increases steadily until they cease
altogether, when straining, tympany, rumbling and vomiting follow. The
animal refuses food, and lies on its belly, hiding under the straw when
that is available. Restlessness with frequent change of place and
grinding of the teeth are noticed. A spontaneous cure may take place by
a free secretion of liquid in which the impacted mass is loosened,
disintegrated and floated off, the costiveness being succeeded by
diarrhœa. Once established this diarrhœa may become persistent, causing
serious loss of condition, and simulating hog cholera. It may be
distinguished by the fact that it occurred without the introduction of a
_contagium_, is easily accounted for by the nature of the food and is
not communicated to adjacent herds treated in a different way. There is
also the absence of the petechiæ on the skin, and, on post mortem, of
the specific round necrotic intestinal ulcers of hog cholera.
_Treatment._ The first object is to rid the intestines of the irritating
impacted masses, and this may be secured by giving 1 oz. castor oil, 2
drs. jalap, or 3 grs. croton farina to a 150 lb. pig. This may be
seconded by frequent and copious injections of soapsuds. If fermentation
and tympany are troublesome 30 grs. chloral hydrate may be given and
repeated as circumstances demand it. Active rubbing of the abdomen or
kneading of the same will prove useful. If tympany becomes dangerous the
gas may be safely evacuated by trochar and cannula, the point of
puncture being selected by the clearness of the resonance. When the
impaction has reached the rectum and prevents the use of enemata, it may
be extracted with the oiled fore finger. An injection of sweet oil may
then be given and the finger may be used again and again as the impacted
fæces come within reach. When diarrhœa has set in it may be checked by
doses of 30 to 60 drops of laudanum, and a diet of boiled milk, well
boiled flaxseed or other starchy gruel or mush. A course of bitters with
chalk, bismuth or antiseptics will prove serviceable during
convalescence.