and we need only remark here that the consequences of such ravenous
eating may be prevented if the grains are fed with cut hay, straw, or
fodder. Long or uncut hay should also be fed, even though a certain
quantity of hay or straw is cut and fed mixed with grain.
One objection to feeding cut hay mixed with ground or crushed grains,
and wetted, must not be overlooked during the hot months. Such feed is
liable to undergo fermentation if not fed directly after it is mixed;
even the mixing trough, unless frequently scalded and cleaned, becomes
sour and enough of its scrapings are given with the feed to produce
flatulent (wind) colic. A small quantity of salt should always be mixed
with such feed. Bad hay should never be cut simply because it insures a
greater consumption of it; bad feeds are dear at any price, and should
never be fed.
The advantage of boiling roots has been mentioned. Not only does this
render them less liable to produce digestive disorders, but it also
makes them clean. Boiling or steaming grains is to be recommended when
the teeth are poor, or when the digestive organs are weak.
DISEASES OF THE TEETH.
_Dentition._--This covers the period during which the young horse is
cutting his teeth--from birth to the age of 5 years. With the horse more
difficulty is experienced in cutting the second or permanent teeth than
with the first or milk teeth. There is a tendency among farmers and many
veterinarians to pay too little attention to the teeth of young horses.
Percivall relates an instance illustrative of this that is best told in
his own words:
I was requested to give my opinion concerning a horse, then in
his fifth year, who had fed so sparingly for the last
fortnight, and so rapidly declined in condition in consequence,
that his owner, a veterinary surgeon, was under no light
apprehensions about his life. He had himself examined his mouth
without having discovered any defect or disease, though another
veterinary surgeon was of opinion that the difficulty or
inability manifested in mastication, and the consequent
cudding, arose from preternatural bluntness of the surfaces of
the molar teeth, which were, in consequence, filed, but without
beneficial result. It was after this that I saw the horse, and
I confess I was, at my first examination, quite as much at a
loss to offer any satisfactory interpretation as others had
been. While meditating, however, after my inspection, on the
apparently extraordinary nature of the case, it struck me that
I had not seen the tusks. I went back into the stable and
discovered two little tumors, red and hard, in the situation of
the inferior tusks, which, when pressed, gave the animal
insufferable pain. I instantly took out my pocketknife and made
crucial incisions through them both, down to the coming teeth,
from which moment the horse recovered his appetite and, by
degrees, his wonted condition.
The mouths of young horses should be examined from time to time to see
whether one or more of the milk teeth are not remaining too long,
causing the second teeth to grow in crooked, in which case the first
teeth should be removed with the forceps.
_Irregularities of teeth._--There is a fashion of late years, especially
in large cities, to have horses' teeth regularly "floated," or "rasped,"
by "veterinary dentists." In some instances this is very beneficial,
while in most cases it is entirely unnecessary. From the character of
the feed, the rubbing, or grinding, surface of the horse's teeth should
be rough. Still, we must remember that the upper jaw is somewhat wider
than the lower, and that, from the fact of the teeth not being perfectly
apposed, a sharp ridge is left unworn on the inside of the lower molars
and on the outside of the upper, which may excoriate the tongue or
cheeks to a considerable extent. This condition may readily be felt by
the hand, and these sharp ridges when found should be rasped down by a
guarded rasp. In some instances the first or last molar tooth is
unnaturally long, owing to the fact that its fellow in the opposite jaw
has been lost or does not close perfectly against it. Should it be the
last molar that is thus elongated, it will require the aid of the
veterinary surgeon, who has the necessary forceps or chisel for cutting
it. The front molar may be rasped down, if much patience is taken. In
decay of the teeth it is quite common to find the tooth corresponding to
the decayed one on the opposite jaw very much elongated, sometimes to
such an extent that the mouth can not be perfectly closed. Such teeth
must also be shortened by the tooth forceps, chisel, tooth saw, or rasp.
In all instances in which horses "quid" their feed, if they are
slobbering, or evince pain in mastication, shown by holding the head to
one side while chewing, the teeth should be carefully examined. Horses
whose teeth have unduly sharp edges are liable to drive badly; they pull
to one side, do not bear on the bit, or bear on too hard and "big," toss
the head, and start suddenly when a tender spot is touched. If, as is
mostly the case, all the symptoms are referable to sharp corners or
projections, these must be removed by the rasp. If decayed teeth ere
found, or other serious difficulty detected, or if the cause of the
annoying symptoms is not discovered, an expert should be called.
[Illustration: PLATE IV.
AGE OF HORSES AS INDICATED BY TEETH.
Longitudinal section of left central lower incisor and cross sections of
same tooth showing table surfaces as they appear at the ages of 3, 5, 7,
9, 15, 20 and 25 years. _C_, Cement; _D_, Dentine; _E_, Enamel; _I_,
Infundibulum; _K_, Cup; _P_, Pulp Cavity; _S_, Star.]
_Toothache._--This is rare in the horse and is mostly witnessed when
there is decay of a tooth or inflammation about its root. Toothache is
to be discovered in the horse by the pain expressed by him while feeding
or drinking cold water. I have seen horses, affected with toothache,
that would suddenly stop chewing, throw the head to one side, and
slightly open the mouth. They behave as though some sharp body had
punctured the mouth. If upon examination, no foreign body is found, we
must then carefully examine each tooth. If this can not be done with the
hand in the mouth, we can, in most instances, discover the aching tooth
by pressing each tooth from without. By tapping the teeth in succession
with a hard object, such as a small hammer, the one that is tender may
be identified. The horse will flinch when the sore tooth is pressed or
tapped upon. In most cases there is nothing to be done but extract the
decayed tooth, and this, of course, is to be attempted by the
veterinarian only.
_Deformity._--There is a deformity, known as parrot-mouth, that
interferes with prehension, mastication, and, indirectly, with
digestion. The upper incisors project in front of and beyond the lower
ones. The teeth of both jaws become unusually long, as they are not worn
down by friction. Such horses experience much difficulty in grazing.
Little can be done except to examine the teeth occasionally, and if
those of the lower jaw become so long that they bruise the "bars" of the
upper jaw, they must be shortened by the rasp or saw. Horses with this
deformity should never be left entirely at pasture.
The method of determining the age of a horse by the teeth is illustrated
in Plate IV.
DISEASES OF THE MOUTH.
LAMPAS.
Lampas is the name given to a swelling of the mucous membrane covering
the hard palate and projecting in a more or less prominent ridge
immediately behind the upper incisors. The hard palate is composed of
spongy tissue that fills with blood when the horse is feeding, which
causes the ridges to become prominent, and they then help to keep feed
from dropping from the mouth. This swelling is entirely natural and
occurs in every healthy horse. Where there is some irritation in the
mouth, as in stomatitis or during teething, the prominence of the hard
palate may persist, owing to the increased blood supply. In such cases
the cause of the irritation should be nought for and removed. By way of
direct treatment, slight scarification is the most that will be
required. Burning the lampas is barbarous and injurious, and it should
never be tolerated.
It is a quite common opinion among owners of horses and stablemen that
lampas is a disease that very frequently exists. In fact whenever a
horse fails to eat, and if he does not exhibit very marked symptoms of a
severe illness, they say at once "he has the lampas." It is almost
impossible to convince them to the contrary; yet it is not the case. It
may be put down, then, as an affliction of the stable-man's imagination
rather than of the horse's mouth.
STOMATITIS.
Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the mouth
and is produced by irritating medicines, feeds, or other substances. The
symptoms are swelling of the mouth, which is also hot and painful to the
touch; there is a copious discharge of saliva; the mucous membrane is
reddened, and in some cases vesicles or ulcers in the mouth are
observed. The treatment is simple, soft feed alone often being all that
is necessary. A bucket of fresh, cold water should be kept constantly in
the manger so that the horse may drink or rinse his mouth at will. In
some instances, it may be advisable to use a wash of chlorate of potash,
borax, or alum, about one-half ounce to a pint of water. Hay, straw, or
oats should not be fed unless steamed or boiled. A form of contagious
stomatitis, characterized by the formation within the mouth of small
vesicles, or blisters, sometimes occurs. In this disease the horse
should be isolated from other horses, and his stall, especially the feed
box, and his bit should be disinfected.
GLOSSITIS (INFLAMMATION OF THE TONGUE).
Glossitis, or inflammation of the tongue, is very similar to stomatitis,
and mostly exists with it and is due to the same causes. Injuries to the
tongue may produce this simple inflammation of its covering membrane,
or, if severe, may produce lesions much more extensive, such as
lacerations, abscesses, etc. These latter would require surgical
treatment, but for the simpler forms of inflammation of the tongue the
treatment recommended for stomatitis should be followed.
SALIVATION (PTYALISM).
Ptyalism, or salivation, consists in an abnormal and excessive secretion
of saliva. This is often seen as a symptom of irregular teeth;
inflammation of the mouth or tongue, or of the use of such medicines as
lobelia, mercury, and many others. Some feeds, such as clover, and
particularly second crop, produce it; foreign bodies, such as nails,
wheat chaff, and corncobs becoming lodged in the mouth, also are causes.
If the cause is removed no further attention is necessary, as a rule.
Astringent washes may be applied to the mouth as a gargle or by means of
a sponge.
PHARYNGITIS.
Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining of the
pharynx or throat. It rarely exists unless accompanied with stomatitis
or laryngitis, especially the latter. In those rare instances in which
the inflammation is mostly confined to the pharynx are noticed febrile
symptoms--difficulty of swallowing either liquids or solids; there is
but little cough except when trying to swallow; there is no soreness on
pressure over larynx (head of the windpipe). Increased flow of saliva,
difficulty of swallowing liquids in particular, and cough only when
attempting to swallow, are the symptoms best marked in pharyngitis. In
some cases the throat becomes gangrenous and the disease ends in death.
For treatment a wet sheet should be wrapped around the throat and
covered with rubber sheeting and a warm blanket. This should be changed
three times daily; or the region of the throat may be rubbed with
mercurial ointment twice daily until the skin becomes irritated, but no
longer; chlorate of potash may be given in 2-dram doses four times
daily, mixed with flaxseed meal or licorice-root powder and honey, as an
electuary. Soft feeds should be given, and fresh water should be
constantly before the horse.
PARALYSIS OF THE PHARYNX.
Paralysis of the pharynx, or, as it is commonly called, "paralysis of
the throat," is a rare but very serious disease. The symptoms are as
follows: The horse will constantly try to eat or drink, but will be
unable to do so; if water is offered him from a pail he will apparently
drink with avidity, but the quantity of water in the pail will remain
about the same; he will continue by the hour to try to drink; if he can
get any fluid into the back part of the mouth it will come out at once
through the nose. Feeds also return through the nose, or are dropped
from the mouth, quidded. An examination of the mouth by inserting the
hand fails to find any obstruction or any abnormal condition. These
cases go on from bad to worse; the horse constantly and rapidly loses in
condition, becomes very much emaciated, the eyes are hollow and
lusterless, and death occurs from inanition.
Treatment is very unsatisfactory. A severe blister should be applied
behind and under the jaw; the mouth is to be frequently swabbed out with
alum or chlorate of potash, 1 ounce to a pint of water, by means of a
sponge fastened to the end of a stick. Strychnia may be given in 1-grain
doses two or three times a day.
This disease may be mistaken at times for foreign bodies in the mouth or
for the so-called cerebrospinal meningitis. It is to be distinguished
from the former, upon a careful examination of the mouth, by the absence
of any offending body and by the flabby feel of the mouth, and from the
latter by the animal appearing in perfect health in every particular
except this inability to eat or drink.
ABSCESSES.
Abscesses sometimes form back of the pharynx and give rise to symptoms
resembling those of laryngitis or distemper. Interference with breathing
that is of recent origin and progression, without any observable
swelling or soreness about the throat, will make one suspect the
formation of an abscess in this location. But little can be done in the
way of treatment, save to hurry the ripening of the abscess and its
discharge by steaming with hops, hay, or similar substances and by
poulticing the throat. The operation for opening an abscess in this
region necessitates an intimate knowledge of the complex anatomy of the
throat region.
DISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS OR GULLET.
It is rare to find diseases of this organ, except as a result of the
introduction of foreign bodies too large to pass or to the administering
of irritating medicines. In the administration of irritant or caustic
medicines great care should be taken that they be thoroughly diluted. If
this is not done, erosions and ulcerations of the throat ensue, and this
again is prone to be followed by constriction (narrowing) of the gullet.
CHOKING.
The mechanical trouble of choking is quite common. It may occur when the
animal is suddenly startled while eating apples or roots, and we should
be careful never to approach suddenly or put a dog after horses or cows
that are feeding upon such substances. If left alone these animals very
rarely attempt to swallow the object until it is sufficiently
masticated.
Choking also arises from feeding oats in a deep, narrow manger to such
horses as eat very greedily or bolt their feed. Wheat chaff is also a
frequent cause of choke. This accident may result from the attempts to
force eggs down without breaking or from giving balls that are too large
or not of the proper shape.
Whatever object causes the choking, it may lodge in the upper part of
the esophagus, at its middle portion, or close to the stomach, giving
rise to the designations of pharyngeal, cervical, and thoracic choke. In
some cases where the original obstruction is low we find all that part
of the gullet above it to be distended with feed.
_Symptoms._--The symptoms vary somewhat according to the position of the
body causing choke. In pharyngeal choke the object is lodged in the
upper portion of the esophagus. The horse will present symptoms of great
distress, hurried breathing, frequent cough, excessive flow of saliva,
sweating, trembling, or stamping with the fore feet. The abdomen rapidly
distends with gas. The diagnosis is completed by manipulating the upper
part of the throat from without and by the introduction of the hand into
the back part of the mouth, finding the body lodged here. In cervical
choke (where the obstruction is situated at any point between the
throatlatch and the shoulder) the protrusion caused by the object can be
seen and the object can be felt. The symptoms here are not so severe;
the horse will be seen occasionally to draw himself up, arch his neck,
and make retching movements as though he wished to vomit. The abdomen
may be tympanitic. Should there be any question as to the trouble, a
conclusion may be reached by pouring water into the throat from a
bottle. If the obstruction is complete, by standing on the left side of
the horse and watching the course of the esophagus, you can see the
gullet, just above the windpipe, become distended with each bottle of
water. This is not always a sure test, as the obstruction may be an
angular body, in which case liquids would pass it. Solids taken would
show in these cases; solids should not, however, be given, as they serve
to increase the trouble by rendering the removal of the body more
difficult.
In thoracic choke the symptoms are less severe. Feed or water may be
ejected through the nose or mouth after the animal has taken a few
swallows. There will be some symptoms of distress, fullness of the
abdomen, cough, and occasionally retching movements. Sometimes a choking
horse is heard to emit groans. The facial expression always denotes
great anxiety and the eyes are bloodshot. The diagnosis is complete if,
upon passing the probang (a flexible tube made for this purpose), an
obstruction is encountered.
_Treatment._--If the choke is at the beginning of the gullet
(pharyngeal) an effort must be made to remove the obstacle through the
mouth. A mouthgag, or speculum, is to be introduced into the mouth to
protect the hand and arm of the operator. Then, while an assistant, with
his hands grasped tightly _behind_ the object, presses it upward and
forward with all his force, the operator must pass his hand into the
mouth until he can seize the obstruction and draw it outward. This mode
of procedure must not be abandoned with the first failure, as by
continued efforts we may get the obstacle farther toward the mouth. If
we fail with the hand, forceps may be introduced through the mouth and
the object seized when it is just beyond the reach of the fingers.
Should our efforts entirely fail, we must then endeavor to force the
obstruction downward by means of the probang. This instrument, which is
of such signal service in removing choke in cattle, is decidedly more
dangerous to use for the horse, and I can not pass this point without a
word of caution to those who have been known to introduce into the
horse's throat such objects as whipstalks, shovel handles, etc. These
are always dangerous, and more than one horse has been killed by such
barbarous treatment.
In cervical as well as in thoracic choke we must first of all endeavor
to soften or lubricate the obstruction by pouring oil or mucilaginous
drinks down the gullet. After this has been done endeavor to move the
object by gentle manipulations with the hands. If choked with oats or
chaff (and these are the objects that most frequently produce choke in
the horse), begin by gently squeezing the lower portion of the impacted
mass and endeavor to work it loose a little at a time. This is greatly
favored at times if we apply hot fomentations immediately about the
obstruction. Persist in these efforts for at least an hour before
deciding to resort to other and more dangerous modes of treatment. If
unsuccessful, however, the probang may be used. In the absence of the
regular instrument, a piece of inch hose 6 feet long or a piece of new
three-quarter-inch manila rope well wrapped at the end with cotton twine
and thoroughly greased with tallow should be used. The mouth is to be
kept open by a gag of wood or iron and the head slightly raised and
extended. The probang is then to be carefully guided by the hand into
the upper part of the gullet and gently forced downward until the
obstruction is reached. Pressure must then be gradual and firm. At first
too much force should not be used, or the esophagus will be ruptured.
Firm, gentle pressure should be kept up until the object is felt to
move, after which it should be followed rapidly to the stomach. If this
mode of treatment is unsuccessful, a veterinarian or a physician should
be called, who can remove the object by cutting down upon it. This
should scarcely be attempted by a novice, as a knowledge of the anatomy
of the parts is essential to avoid cutting the large artery, vein, and
nerve that are closely related to the esophagus in its cervical
portion.
Thoracic choke can be treated only by means of the introduction of oils
and mucilaginous drinks and the careful use of the probang.
STRICTURE OF THE ESOPHAGUS.
This is due to corrosive medicines, previous choking (accompanied with
lacerations, which, in healing, narrow the passage), or pressure on the
gullet by tumors. In the majority of cases of stricture, dilatation of
the gullet in front of the constricted portion soon occurs. This
dilatation is the result of the frequent accumulation of solid feed
above the constriction. Little can be done in either of these instances
except to give sloppy or liquid feed.
SACULAR DILATATION OF THE ESOPHAGUS.
This follows choking, and is due to stretching or rupture of the
muscular coat of the gullet, allowing the internal, or mucous, coat to
protrude through the lacerated muscular walls. Such a dilatation, or
pouch, may gradually enlarge from the frequent imprisonment of feed.
When liquids are taken, the solid materials are partially washed out of
the pouch.
The symptoms are as follows: The horse is able to swallow a few
mouthfuls without apparent difficulty; then he will stop feeding, paw,
contract the muscles of his neck, and eject a portion of the feed
through his nose or mouth, or it will gradually work down to the
stomach. As the dilatation thus empties itself the symptoms gradually
subside, only to reappear when he has again taken solid feed. Liquids
pass without any, or but little, inconvenience. Should this dilatation
exist in the cervical region, surgical interference may sometimes prove
effectual; if in the thoracic portion, nothing can be done, and the
patient rapidly passes from hand to hand by "swapping," until, at no
distant date, the contents of the sac become too firm to be dislodged as
heretofore, and the animal succumbs.
DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND INTESTINES.
As a rule it is most difficult to distinguish between diseases of the
stomach and of the intestines of the horse. The reason for this is that
the stomach is relatively small. It lies away from the abdominal wall,
and so pressure from without can not be brought to bear upon it to
reveal sensitiveness or pain. Nor does enlargement, or distention, of
the stomach produce visible alteration in the form of the abdomen of the
horse. Moreover, it is a rule to which there are few exceptions, that an
irritant or cause of disease of the stomach acts likewise upon the
intestines, so that it is customary to find them similarly deranged. For
these reasons it is logical to discuss together the diseases of the
stomach and intestines and to point out such localizations in one organ
or another as are of importance in recognizing and treating the diseases
of the digestive organs of the horse.
It should be understood that gastritis signifies an inflammation of the
stomach and enteritis an inflammation of the intestines. The two terms
may be used together to signify a disease of the stomach and intestines,
as gastro-enteritis.
COLIC.