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.
CAUSE.—This disease is chiefly produced by trotting or running on hard
ground, etc. It is evident that horses with high knee action and heavy
bodies are more liable to this disease. Jumping is also a common cause of
splints, but the more accustomed a horse is to jumping the less liable he
is to throw splints, because practice teaches the animal to regulate his
movements so as to more or less diminish the disagreeable if not actually
painful effect of concussion.
SYMPTOMS.—A splint is detected by grasping the horse’s leg with the
fingers upon one side and the thumb upon the other, and tracing the
inner and outer splint bones from their heads downward to their
tapering extremities. Any actual enlargement will at once arrest the
hand; any rising or irregularity will create suspicion and lead to close
examination. Horses, especially young ones which have lately been put
to work, not infrequently develop splints before any swelling appears.
For this reason, in examining a case of obscure lameness, particularly
if the animal is young, do not fail to look for the sign of splint
lameness, namely; that the lameness is abnormally greater at a trot than
at a walk and that the animal usually fails to bend the knees freely and
grows worse with exercise. The last mentioned condition is also present
with corns, but an examination of the foot will determine the question
of their existence. In young horses splints are sometimes mistaken for
coffin-joint lameness or navicular disease. To avoid this error, it
should be remembered that, when brought on by navicular disease, the
action of the limb improves with exercise; also that horses of five years
of age or less very rarely suffer from coffin-joint disease. Some horses,
owing to unusual development of the inner splint bones of the fore legs
may appear to have splints, although careful examination may prove both
limbs to be free from any bony deposit. When deciding such a point,
note if the two inner splint bones are of the same size. Any swelling
perceptible in a limb recently affected with splint-lameness is usually
attended by heat and pain.
TREATMENT.—If there is heat present, foment with hot or cold water; when
heat has subsided, apply the following ointment: Red Iodide of Mercury,
two drams; Turpentine, twenty drops; Lard two ounces, and mix. Apply
every forty-eight hours until three applications have been applied. Rub
in for twenty minutes each time.
During this treatment use the horse for slow work on soft roads, etc. As
a rule the splints will not disappear at once, but gradually. I may add
that common splints are not considered an unsoundness.
SPASMODIC COLIC.
CAUSE.—Horses seem to be predisposed to this form of colic on account
of the great length of their intestines which are apt to be telescoped,
twisted or their circular muscular fibers spasmodically contracted.
Perhaps the principal cause is a change of food, sudden change of
temperature, constipation, drinking cold or too large a quantity of
water, especially if the animal is warm; overloading the stomach with
frozen or mouldy food. Worms frequently produce colic.
SYMPTOMS.—If the animal is tied it will become uneasy, paw, point its
nose to the flank, twitch the tail, lie down and get up frequently. If
the animal is loose it will walk around, paw, kick at its belly with the
hind feet, make attempts to lie down, roll on its back and remain in that
position for a while. The pulse increases with the pain, temperature
rises from one-half to one degree, breathing labored and fast, the animal
sweats in spots, there may be diarrhoea present, but this does not
frequently occur.
Unfavorable symptoms of spasmodic colic are cold legs to the feet, points
of the ears cold, trembling of the muscles, cold sweats, mucous membranes
of the nose, mouth and eyes have a dark color due to the congestion.
TREATMENT.—In all cases of spasmodic colic, except where there is
diarrhoea present or mares heavily in foal, give Aloin, two drams;
Ginger, two drams. Place in gelatine capsule and give with capsule gun.
It is advisable to give rectal injection of Warm Water and Glycerine.
They are soothing and cooling to the intestinal canal. Also give the
following prescription: Pulv. Nux Vomica, four ounces; Carbonate of
Ammonia, four ounces; Asafoetida, four ounces. Make into six powders;
place one powder in gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun every two
hours until relieved. The former prescription removes the cause as it is
a physic. The latter contains medicines blended so as to counteract the
spasmodic contractions of the bowels. It is also a heart stimulant, just
what is needed in colic to keep up the animal’s vitality. Beware of colic
remedies that are given in drop doses. They contain drugs to relieve the
pain only and do not remove the cause. When their effects are worn off,
the disease has progressed; the animal’s heart action has been weakened
and chances are that the animal will die. If drenching is resorted to,
it must be done with great precaution. Remember a horse cannot breathe
through its mouth.
SIDE BONES.
CAUSE.—The chief causes of Side Bones are: Deprivation of frog pressure,
injuries, high heeled shoes, the use of which is almost entirely confined
to draft horses. A high heeled shoe prevents the frog from resting on the
ground which is its natural support.
SYMPTOMS.—Enlargement just above the hoof, usually affecting the front
feet, or may affect only one side of one of the feet. The pain which
produces the lameness is due to pressure on the soft tissues between the
newly formed side bone and the hoof. Sometimes the enlargement has a
tendency to spread the hoof. In such a case the lameness is not so severe.
TREATMENT.—Clip the hair from over the Side Bone and rasp the foot below
the enlargement, so that the hoof will be flexible on pressure from the
fingers. Then apply the following to both the enlargement and the rasped
surface of the hoof: Red Iodide of Mercury, two drams; Pulv. Cantharides,
four drams. Mix well in two ounces of Lard and apply every forty-eight
hours until three applications have been applied.
If you must work the animal, put it to some easy work where it has soft
ground to walk upon.
STAGGERS.
(_Forage Poisoning—Inflammation of the Brain_)
(_Cerebral Meningitis_)
CAUSE.—Certain plants or stagnant water are most commonly instrumental
in producing staggers; frequently seen in the early autumn months when
the grass in the pastures becomes dry and certain forage remains green
which contains toxic principles. These plants are ravenously eaten by
horses on account of being green and tender. This is one of the common
causes of the disease, although moldy, indigestible or highly nitrogenous
foods are frequently productive of staggers. This form of staggers is
not contagious, although what produces staggers in one horse will also
produce it in another. In this way several horses may become affected
with staggers at the same time. Inflammation of the brain may occur as a
complication of some infectious or digestive disease. Other causes are
blows on the head, tumors in or on the brain, which naturally cause the
animal to stagger, as the brain controls the horse’s power of locomotion.
SYMPTOMS.—These vary to a certain extent, but a careful observer will
detect some trouble connected with the nervous system, as the animal
walking unsteadily, stepping high and keeping the legs spread apart,
bracing itself to keep from falling. There is also great depression,
dullness and sleepiness with little or no inclination to move about.
The head may be placed against a wall or fence and the legs kept moving
as if the horse were trying to walk. As the disease progresses and no
attempts are made to relieve it, they will become fractious, nervous,
easily excited, pawing and eventually fall, keeping the feet moving as if
walking, throwing their heads about in a delirious manner and eventually
death follows. The horse as a rule eats and drinks ravenously when
the first signs of staggers are noticed, but in its latter stages the
tongue and gullet become paralyzed and although the animal attempts to
eat and drink he cannot swallow. The pulse varies. It is strong, but
subnormal when the first symptoms of staggers are noticed, that is to
say, it is as slow as twenty to twenty-five beats per minute. As the
disease progresses, however, it becomes weaker and faster. Constipation
frequently accompanies this disease, also paleness tinged with yellow
about the mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes. In many instances I
believe that the poisonous forage eaten by horses depresses the heart
action to such an extent that it results in the brain not receiving the
proper blood supply, causing dizziness or staggers.
TREATMENT.—Place the animal in a clean, dark stall, keeping the
surroundings as quiet as possible. In its first stages it is easily
treated, but as the horse becomes easily excited and his swallowing
becomes difficult, treatment becomes more difficult. When the first
signs are noticed, administer a physic as: Aloin, two or three drams;
Ginger, two or three drams, according to the size of the animal. Place
in gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun. This physic removes the
irritant from the intestines and prevents its absorption into the blood.
Also administer the following: Bromide of Potassium, twelve ounces;
Nitrate of Potash, four ounces; Iodide of Potash, three ounces. Make into
twenty-four capsules and give one capsule every four hours.
My method of administering medicine to animals places me in a position
to treat them and compel them to take the medicine even though paralysis
may exist. When animals will eat, feed food that is easily digested, as
hot wheat bran mashes, steamed rolled oats and vegetables and give small
quantities, but not often, of clean fresh water. It is necessary to give
stimulants and tonics as soon as they are on the road to recovery, as
Pulv. Nux Vomica, four ounces; Pulv. Gentian Root, four ounces; Sulphate
of Iron, two ounces. Make into sixteen capsules and give one capsule
three times daily.
STIFLE JOINT LAMENESS.
(_Dislocation of the Patella_)
Although dislocations are infrequent, this is the most common form which
occurs in the horse.
CAUSE.—Young loose jointed horses are predisposed to dislocation of the
stifle on account of the comparative want of strength of their ligaments.
They are much more liable to this accident than older horses, especially
if they are in poor health or in rough hilly pastures; the nature of
which would naturally make them susceptible to this injury, which,
however, may take place as a result of accident at any age. Young horses
that suffer, off and on from dislocation, often lose their liability with
increasing strength and age. This dislocation may be partial or complete.
In the former instance and the most common is where the patella, or the
little stifle bone that glides in the groove composed of the lower hip
and upper thigh bones, has become partially dislocated or removed from
its natural position.
SYMPTOMS.—When the dislocation is complete the affected limb is drawn
forward, while the foot from the pastern down is drawn backward, and the
animal may throw weight on it when made to move, which is accomplished
with great difficulty. When the dislocation is partial, the symptoms are
about the same as mentioned, only the limb is less rigid. If the horse is
moved, the stifle makes a clicking sound. In this form both limbs may be
affected.
TREATMENT.—In partial dislocation, the stifle bone may be replaced by
drawing the leg forward, and with the hand pressing in on the stifle.
In complete dislocation, tie a rope around the pastern of the affected
leg, then draw the rope through a collar placed around the horse’s neck
and draw forward as far as possible and tie. Then press with both hands
inward. After the stifle is placed back into position use the following
liniment: Aqua Ammonia Fort., four ounces; Oil of Turpentine, four
ounces; Raw Linseed Oil, four ounces. Mix and apply well over the stifle
joint once or twice a day for two or three days. Feed nourishing food and
put the animal to slow, easy work or turn out to good pasture.
In chronic cases of Stifle Joint Lameness, treatment is of no value,
therefore, care for the animal as soon as the catch in the walk or
lameness appears.
STRING-HALT.
_Cause._—Several theories have been put forth as to the cause of
String-Halt which is generally supposed to be a nervous disease; a
condition opposite to paralysis. The exact cause of this disease is
hard to determine, but it is likely to occur in highly nervous horses.
It sometimes follows an injury which may have irritated the nerves in
some way. I believe that castration causes it in many instances, due to
the severe struggle when being thrown, or pulling down severely on the
spermatic cord when removing the testicle.
SYMPTOMS.—Spasmodic contraction of one or both limbs. This sign varies,
as sometimes it is very violent, while in others it may be so slight that
it is hard to detect when stepping the horse forward, but on backing or
turning the horse around the signs are easily noticed. All symptoms are
better marked in the winter than in the summer, as some show it in the
winter that do not show it in the summer at all.
TREATMENT.—The feeding of laxative foods that are easily digested
relieves String-Halt in many instances.
SORE THROAT.
(_Pharyngitis—Laryngitis_)
CAUSE.—Exposure to cold weather or rain when the animal is not accustomed
to it; drenching with irritating medicines or inhaling irritating smoke
or gases.
SYMPTOMS.—At first the animal generally chills, the legs and ears are
cold, but eventually they become very warm as the temperature increases,
coughing, grinding of the teeth, saliva oozing from the mouth; the animal
will hold its head in a stiff straight position, moving it as little as
possible. There will be great difficulty in masticating and swallowing,
as the food will come from the mouth in the form of wads, and as this
soreness of the throat progresses food will also come from the nostrils.
This is a bad sign, as extensive inflammation is no doubt present. Water,
also, runs through the nostrils freely when the animal attempts to drink,
due to the swollen condition of the throat. The animal forces the water
back into the mouth, but is unable to swallow and hence the water gushes
out through the nostrils. The animal evinces great pain when pressure is
applied from the outside and he breathes with great difficulty. Although
the pulse is not much affected at this stage, the temperature is elevated
from one to two degrees above normal. The urine becomes scanty and highly
colored, the eyes congested and discharging. Eventually the throat
becomes greatly swollen and abscesses may form and discharge. As a rule
constipation is associated with this disease.
TREATMENT.—Mild attacks of sore throat are easily treated, but when
serious cases develop, treatment is unsuccessful. Place the animal in a
clean, comfortable stall; permit as much fresh air as possible, but avoid
all drafts. If the weather is chilly, blanket the animal, hand rub the
legs and bandage with woolen cloths or bandages. Administer a mixture
made from Chlorate of Potash, three ounces; Nitrate of Potash, three
ounces; Tannic Acid, one-half ounce; Molasses, one-half pint; Pine Tar,
one-half pint. Mix well and place about one tablespoonful on the tongue
every two hours in severe cases; in mild attacks, give less frequently.
When they will eat, feed food that is easily digested, as hot wheat
bran mashes and steamed rolled oats containing two or three ounces of
pure ground flaxseed. It is always necessary to apply strong liniments
to the throat, as they relieve inflammation and stimulate the formation
of an abscess. The following liniment will be found very beneficial:
Aqua Ammonia Fort., four ounces; Oil of Turpentine, four ounces; Sweet
Oil, six ounces; shake well and apply two or three times daily. If
the swelling is extreme between the jaws, so as to interfere with the
animal’s breathing, it is well to lance the abscess if a soft spot can
be found. Just cut through the skin with a knife; then use a clean blunt
instrument to locate the pus cavity. Otherwise, severe hemorrhage may be
produced.
SURFEIT.
(_Nettle-Rash—Urtecaria_)
CAUSE.—The usual cause of Surfeit is supposed to be due to a character
of food consumed which upsets the animal’s digestive organs, the skin
being continuous with the mucous membranes lining the intestinal canal.
A disturbance of one structure is readily communicated to the other.
Apparently, owing to the extremely dry nature of the forage during the
greater part of the year, horses in the United States frequently suffer
from Surfeit.
SYMPTOMS.—Surfeit is a term applied to an eruption of small irregular
humps or boils which are more or less painful to the touch and which
break out suddenly as a rule on the horse’s body and neck, and in rare
cases on the legs. A favorite seat of Surfeit is the parts covered with
the harness or saddle and along the neck and withers. Surfeit is very
troublesome and annoys both the horse and driver, especially when the
horse perspires, as he will rub violently when coming in contact with any
object.
TREATMENT.—Give two to four ounces of Epsom Salts in hot wheat bran
mashes every morning. Feed as much sloppy food as possible, vegetables,
etc. Avoid feeding dry woody hay, as it irritates the intestines and
aggravates the disease.
SWEENEY.
(_Atrophy_)
CAUSE.—An ill fitting collar, one tug longer than the other, striking an
object when pulling, like a stone or a corner of a building, slipping,
kicks, or the animal may have a splint, sprain, ringbone, sidebone,
coffin-joint lameness, curb, corns, stifle lameness, in fact anything
that tends to make an animal favor the use of certain muscles. It is not
a disease, just a lack in the development of the muscles, which waste
away or shrink when not used as nature provided. For instance, perhaps
you have had or have seen persons that had a fractured leg or arm the
muscles of which through lack of use had wasted away (Atrophy), until
they were used normally for sometime, when the muscles again came back to
their normal size.
SYMPTOMS.—First locate the cause. The animal may be very lame although I
have seen Sweeneys where lameness was very hard to detect, being those
which were usually due to ill fitting collars. Remember you can have a
Sweeney of the hip as well as the shoulder, and keep in mind the above
mentioned cases.
TREATMENT.—When you have an animal affected with Sweeney, find the
true cause and remove it if possible. Unless the Sweeney is a chronic
one, it is successfully treated with Aqua Ammonia Fort., four ounces;
Turpentine, four ounces; Sweet Oil, four ounces. Mix and apply well over
wasted muscles once a day. If the application is too irritating, as some
horses have thinner skins than others, it is advisable to add more Sweet
Oil than above mentioned.
TAPEWORM.
(_Taenia_)
These worms have been found in the horse, but so rarely that they need
not be considered.
THOROUGHPIN.
CAUSE.—Generally due to some irritation of the hock joint such as severe
sprains from animal jumping, slipping, kick or falling through a culvert
or bridge or it is frequently hereditary; so be very careful in choosing
a sire when breeding.
SYMPTOMS.—Sometimes there is lameness when the Thoroughpin is first
noticed, but it will gradually disappear as soon as the inflammation
ceases. There will be a puffy, soft enlargement which occurs at the upper
and back part of the hock, beneath the great tendons. Generally both
sides are enlarged and puffy, but occasionally it happens that one side
only is involved. Thoroughpin is also a forerunner of Bog Spavin, as they
generally are connected; as you are aware the hock contains joint oil as
all other joints do, retained in place by a thin, white fibrous membrane.
Irritation of the hock joint tends to develop an extra large quantity of
joint oil, and the hock is less protected by tendons where a Thoroughpin
or Bog Spavin occurs—hence those puffy swellings are filled with joint
oil and are connected. If you press on one side of a Thoroughpin, you
will see the other side bulge out. If you press on a Bog Spavin and there
is a Thoroughpin present, you will see it bulge on either side of the
Thoroughpin—or vice versa.