Part 4

CAUSE.—Injuries in the region of the kidneys, exposure to cold weather, especially in cows soon after calving. Eating poisonous plants, decomposed food or drinking stagnant water, irritating medicines given ignorantly of their bad effects are frequently followed by inflammation of the kidneys.

SYMPTOMS.—The attack will first be noticed by slight shivering or chilling followed by an increased temperature, breathing increased. The animal attempts to urinate frequently and the amount passed is small and of a dark amber color and may be flaked with blood. There will be stiffness and straddling of the hind legs which is always present during urinary disorders. There may be slight swelling and tenderness over the kidneys. As the disease progresses the animal grows weak and finally dies if prompt relief is not afforded. Fortunately this disease is not common among cattle.

TREATMENT.—Clothe the animal if the weather is cold. Mild physics are beneficial, as Aloin, one and one-half drams; Ginger, two drams; Nux Vomica, two drams, placed in a gelatin capsule and given with capsule gun. Also, the following, which is very soothing to the urinary tract: Potassium Acetate, Potassium Bromide, each four ounces, made into sixteen powders. Give one powder every four hours in their drinking water. Feed nitrogenous food as hot wheat bran mashes, steamed rolled oats, and see that the animal has pure water to drink.

INFLAMMATION OF THE PENIS.

CAUSE.—Injuries received from snags, walking through underbrush, jumping fences, etc.

SYMPTOMS.—Arched back, swelling of the sheath and in some cases a discharge. It may be serious enough to affect the appetite and cause fever.

TREATMENT.—Wash out the sheath two or three times daily with a three per cent solution of Boracic Acid. If the inflammation extends pretty well back in the sheath, it is advisable to inject this solution with a syringe, carefully, as far back as possible. Withdraw the syringe, holding the opening of the sheath so as to retain the solution for a few minutes before allowing it to escape.

Feed laxative food and supply the animal with fresh water to drink. If there is considerable fever, administer Potassium Nitrate, Pulv. Nux Vomica, each two ounces. Make into eight capsules and give one capsule two or three times a day.

INFLAMMATION OF THE WOMB.

CAUSE.—Injuries, as bruises, laceration, sustained during calving, especially where the cow is assisted with instruments or hands that are not thoroughly aseptic, an animal retaining the afterbirth which undergoes putrefaction, and consequently sets up an inflammation of the womb, or perhaps the animal may become infected during the act of removing the afterbirth if the operator is neglectful about washing his hands or washing the womb out thoroughly.

SYMPTOMS.—The animal will chill, the temperature elevated two or three degrees, the back will be arched, stiffness of the hind parts, legs, ears and horns cold, nose hot and dry, grinding of the teeth, the cow usually remains standing, ceases to chew her cud, the secretions of milk will be markedly reduced and a day or so after the symptoms appear, there will be a discharge from the womb of a reddish lumpy nature. This becomes thick and yellow containing small particles of flesh, showing that the inner lining of the womb is sloughing. This discharge is very offensive in odor. A cow in this condition requires the best of care or she will die as the decomposed substance in the womb may be absorbed into the circulation and produce Pyemia or Septicemia (Blood Poison).

TREATMENT.—Give Aloin, two drams; Pulv. Ginger, three drams, place in a gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun. Flush out the womb thoroughly with a tablespoonful of Carbolic Acid to one gallon of water two or three times a day. A convenient instrument for flushing out the womb can be made from an ordinary funnel and a clean hose about four feet long. This answers the purpose of an injection syringe very well. In their drinking water add the following: Hyposulphite of Soda, sixteen ounces; Potassium Iodide, two ounces. Make into sixteen powders and give one powder two or three times a day.

In addition to the above treatment it is necessary to give alteratives and bitter tonics to build up the condition of the animal as soon as possible. The following will be found very effective: Pulv. Gentian Root, four ounces; Pulv. Ferri Sulphate, four ounces; Nitrate of Potash, four ounces. Mix and make into sixteen powders and give one powder three times a day. Place in a gelatin capsule and administer with a capsule gun.

My reasons for giving animals medicine in capsules are:

1. There is no danger of liquids escaping into the lungs, as in drenching.

2. Any drug having any beneficial effects as a tonic is very bitter, consequently the only way the animal will take it is by placing in capsule.

JOINT ILL, NAVEL ILL.

(_Umbilical Pyemia and Septicemia_)

CAUSE.—This disease is produced by various germs entering the navel cord of newly born calves when dropped, the navel being freshly severed and coming in contact with filth and manure where germs are numerous, consequently germs adhere and enter the blood stream. Calf Scours as a rule is associated with this disease.

SYMPTOMS.—Swelling of the joints which are very hot and painful on pressure, and when the calf is made to move it walks stiffly and slowly, does not care to nurse its mother or take any food, temperature elevated from 105° to 108° F., breathing hurried, pulse very weak and quick. There will be an offensive discharge from the navel cord of a yellowish color and swollen joints finally break and also discharge a thick yellow pus. The calf becomes emaciated and finally dies from exhaustion.

TREATMENT.—Prevention. Provide clean surroundings for cows when calving, and in addition to this have a one in one thousandth solution of Bichloride of Mercury on hand. Wash the navel well in the solution once a day until the cord is thoroughly dried.

MEDICAL TREATMENT.—Unsuccessful. Sometimes the calf recovers, but at best the calf is badly stunted and is very seldom worth keeping. However, the following method of treatment has been followed with fairly good results: Wash the navel cord well in a one thousandth solution of Bichloride of Mercury two or three times a day and give Zinc Sulphocarbolates, one-fourth grain; Potassi Iodide, five grains, in a little water or milk three or four times a day. Feed them three or four eggs a day, molasses, fresh milk. This will keep up the strength and vitality and a good recovery may follow, although it is an exception and not a rule.

LACERATION OF THE EYELID.

CAUSE.—An eyelid may be torn on the manger, rubbing post or barb wire fence, etc.

TREATMENT.—Wash the lacerated portions of the eye thoroughly with a five per cent solution of Carbolic Acid. It may be necessary to take a few stitches in the wound or the torn edges may be cut off with a pair of sharp scissors. If stitches have been taken, they should be removed after the parts have united and the eye kept clean. A very convenient application for the eye in this condition is Boracic Acid, one dram; Distilled Water, four ounces. Apply liberally to the eye.

LEECHES.

(_Blood Suckers_)

Leeches which suck blood of cattle are sometimes taken up by the animals when drinking water from ponds, etc. The leeches attach themselves to the inner surface of the mouth or nose, and sometimes reach the upper part of windpipe or the gullet. Bleeding at the mouth or nose may be noticed, the membranes where the leeches attach themselves become congested and swollen, and as a result of the loss of blood anemic condition follows.

* * * * *

TREATMENT.—If the leeches can be reached, they are easily destroyed by cutting them in two with a pair of scissors or they may be removed with a pair of forceps or with the fingers after wrapping a piece of cloth around them so as to prevent slipping.

Steam from boiling hot water containing Pine Tar or Oil or Turpentine may cause leeches to release their hold if they cannot be removed by other means. In ponds where leeches are numerous, eels should be introduced as they feed upon blood suckers of this species.

LUMPY JAW.

(_Wooden Tongue_, _Big Head_, _Actinomycosis_)

CAUSE.—The Ray Fungus. This organism which occurs in the tissues in the form of russets is directly transmitted from one animal to another. It seems apparent that the fungus is conveyed into the tissues of the mouth by various food stuff through slight wounds of the mucous membranes of the mouth or an animal that has decayed teeth or during the shedding of milk teeth. The Ray Fungus is found naturally vegetated or clinging on the awns of barley, the spears of oats and on other grains. Quantities of fungi have been found between the vegetable fibers of barley which had penetrated the gums of cattle and on the awns of grain imbedded in their tongues.

Lumpy Jaw can also be transmitted by coming in contact with or eating food over which lumpy jawed cattle have slobbered. A healthy animal eating such food with very slight bruises or abrasions of the mouth will contract the disease very readily. This disease is misleading as other organs are affected with the Ray Fungi or the Bacillus of Actinomycosis, as the lungs and even the digestive organs have been found to be affected with this disease.

SYMPTOMS.—External symptoms or signs are the only means by which to ascertain the disease. Its exact location is on the lower jaw bone near its angle. It may also affect the upper jaw, but this is an exception and not a rule. Internally it may affect the tongue, mouth, throat or lungs, but rarely the intestines. This enlargement continues to grow until it reaches the size of that of a man’s head, breaks and discharges pus. The animal becomes poor and emaciated, the hair takes on a dull roughened appearance and in many cases it is very difficult for it to eat, especially where the disease separates the gums and bone from the teeth and causes them to become very loose or to drop out. The animal in the latter stages of this disease generally dies from starvation.

TREATMENT.—Successful in its first stages. Soft, nitrogenous food should be fed, such as wheat bran mashes, steamed rolled oats or barley, hay dampened with clean water, so as to make it pliable. Hay containing woody matter as stems, etc., should not be fed to an animal affected with Lumpy Jaw as it tends to aggravate the disease. Internally in their drinking water give two drams of Potassium Iodide morning and night. This treatment, however, should be omitted when the animal’s skin becomes scaly or when an excessive watery discharge flows from the eyes. On the outer surface over the enlargement apply the following ointment: Red Iodide of Mercury, four drams; Lard, two ounces. Mix well and rub in briskly for twenty minutes every five or six days for three weeks. The cure can generally be ascertained by the animal gaining in flesh, although the lump may remain. Where Lumpy Jaw is of long standing so as to impair the use of the animal’s tongue or teeth, it is best to destroy the animal, as this lessens the possibility of infecting healthy animals.

LUNG FEVER.

(_Pneumonia_)

CAUSE.—Generally follows congestion of the lungs. It may be due to parasitic organisms or exposure to cold, drafts when warm after being driven, etc. Drenching perhaps is the most common cause as it is very difficult for a cow to swallow when the head is elevated; inhaling smoke, gases, etc., also tend to produce pneumonia.

SYMPTOMS.—Chilling or shivering, temperature elevated to 105° or 106° F., nose hot and dry, horns and legs cold. Pulse rapid though strong, breathing fast and the appetite very good in some cases. The animal urinates small quantities of urine but often, of a dark amber color. A discharge from the nose follows, also a cough. If the ear is placed back of the fore leg, a dry crackling sound can be heard something on the order of rubbing hair between the fingers.

TREATMENT.—Place the animal in a dry, well lighted and ventilated stable, but avoid drafts. Give Pulv. Iodide of Ammonia, one ounce; Pulv. Potassium Nitrate, four ounces; Pulv. Nux Vomica, four ounces; Pulv. Capsicum, one ounce; Quinine, one ounce. Mix well and make into thirty-two powders. Place one powder in gelatin capsule and administer every three or four hours with capsule gun. Supply the animal with fresh water at all times. Feed laxative food as hot wheat bran mashes or steamed rolled oats. Also feed vegetables, such as potatoes, apples, carrots and kale. It is also advisable to apply the following over the region of the lungs just back of the fore legs: Aqua Ammonia Fort., four ounces; Oil or Turpentine, four ounces; Raw Linseed Oil, six ounces. Mix and shake well and apply two or three times daily. It is also advisable to hand rub the legs and bandage them with woolen cloths.

If the above treatment is properly carried out, the animal will make a complete recovery in a week or ten days.

LOSS OF CUD.

CAUSE.—This condition cannot always be traced to a definite cause, as it is a symptom of all diseases where the process of rumination is interfered with. The only method by which a cow will again chew her cud is to restore her to health by the proper medical treatment. Artificial cuds are of no value and frequently are a detriment to the animal. Other symptoms aside from those of the animal not chewing cud will always make their appearance, as constipation, diarrhoea, elevation of the temperature, etc. The animal should be thoroughly examined and the disease treated under its special heading.

MANGE.

(_Scabies_)

CAUSE.—There are four different parasites which produce Mange or Scabies in cattle. However, three of these parasites are rarely seen. The Symbotis Communis is the parasite commonly seen in American cattle. These parasites multiply very rapidly and are conveyed from diseased animals to healthy ones by their bodies coming in contact with one another and by healthy animals rubbing against fences, walls, posts, etc., where mangy cattle have previously rubbed.

SYMPTOMS.—Scabs, loss of hair, intense itching, the animals are constantly rubbing or licking themselves. The parts showing the first signs of Mange are those about the croup, or the root of the tail, the neck and withers, but as the disease progresses and no attempts are offered for its eradication, it finally spreads and covers the entire body. The scabs become ulcerated, the animal becomes weakened, emaciated and eventually dies.

TREATMENT.—Dipping in wood or concrete vats is the most satisfactory method of treating Mange. The regular lime and sulphur dip as recommended by the United States Bureau of Animal Industry is inexpensive and effective.

MEASLY BEEF.

It is produced by a larva of common tapeworm of man. These small tapeworm cysts (tænia saginata) are about the size of a pea and found in the flesh of cattle, which become infected by eating food or drinking water which has been contaminated by the feces of persons harboring adult tapeworms. Then again, the person becomes infected by eating raw or rare flesh of cattle infected with the larva stage of Measly Beef. Great care should be exercised to prevent cattle from becoming infested with this parasite. Persons’ feces should not be placed where it will infect food or drinking water that is consumed by cattle.

MILK FEVER.

(_Parturient Apoplexy_)

CAUSE.—Certain conditions predispose cows to Milk Fever, as being heavy milk producers, cows having enormous digestive power and being heavily fed on nitrogenous food naturally are in a good condition, consequently at the time of calving, or shortly after, they are likely to develop a case of Milk Fever. It is more common during the summer months, although this condition may develop at any time of the year in the type of cow described above.

SYMPTOMS.—At or a few days after calving, the cow is noticed hanging back in the stall, dull, languid, with an unsteady movement of the hind legs. If the cow is made to walk, she steps unsteadily or staggers, pays no attention to her calf; she finally becomes so paralyzed that she falls and is unable to rise. The pupils of the eyes are dilated and the membranes reddened or congested with blood. The cow may lie on her breast or flat on her side, but most likely upon her breast and her head turned in the region of the flank. She apparently is sound asleep. If the eyeball is touched with the fingers she does not close the eye, nor will she evince any pain when being pricked with a pin on any part of the body. The nose is dry, the temperature is below normal in most cases.

TREATMENT.—When the above signs are noticed, whether the cow is standing or lying down in a paralyzed condition, obtain an ordinary bulb injection syringe; insert a tube in the end from which the air escapes. After washing both syringe and teat tube in a five per cent solution of Carbolic Acid, milk or strip out all the milk possible from the bag, then insert the teat tube that is connected to the syringe in each teat, filling them well with air, and repeat this treatment every hour until the cow stops staggering, or if lying down, stands on her feet. It is necessary to strip the milk from the bag before giving an injection of air. If the cow is lying flat on her side, prop her up by placing bags of hay or straw against her side, also make her as comfortable as possible. If lying in the hot sun, provide shade by placing a canopy over her made from burlap; if the weather is chilly, blanket; if flies annoy her, use some fly repellant.

This disease is satisfactorily treated. Where ninety per cent of the cows died at one time, ninety per cent can be saved by the above treatment. It is a custom with some people to use an ordinary bicycle pump for treatment of Milk Fever. This should not be practiced, as there is great danger of infecting the bag and producing serious complication.

MEDICAL OR AFTER TREATMENT.—Never drench a cow. Give physic consisting of Aloin, two drams; Ginger, three drams. Place in a gelatin capsule and give with a capsule gun. Also, give tonics as Pulv. Gentian Root, two ounces; Pulv. Capsicum, one ounce; Pulv. Nux. Vomica, two ounces. Mix and place into eight gelatin capsules. Give one capsule every eight hours. This tonic is quite necessary, as it stimulates their appetite, braces up their nervous system and prevents any complications that might otherwise follow.

PARALYSIS.

(_Congestion of the Brain or Spinal Cord_)

CAUSE.—May be due to a morbid condition of the brain or spinal cord, concussion of the spinal cord, fractures of the bones of the spinal column, or violent shocks or jars of the brain, or pressure due to fractures of the skull, or dilated or ruptured blood vessels. Paralysis also occurs in poorly fed, weak cows when exposed to cold or wet weather during the latter stages of pregnancy. Sometimes the back portion of the bowels (the rectum) becomes paralyzed so as to interfere with the expulsion of the feces which becomes dry and more or less impacted. This condition may also occur in connection with Ergot, Forage or Lead Poisoning, Milk Fever or Parturient Apoplexy.

SYMPTOMS.—Appear very suddenly. The animal is unable to stand, lies quietly and groans occasionally. Constipation generally accompanies this condition. Sometimes great pain is present, especially if due to fracture or pressure, as above mentioned.

TREATMENT.—If just due to weakness; exposure to cold, wet weather; cows prior to calving; slight injuries or mild effect of poisons, it is successfully treated by placing the animal in a comfortable, well lighted stall, omitting drafts, feeding nourishing food, as warm wheat bran mashes, steamed rolled oats or barley and linseed meal; tea to drink prepared as follows: Pour one quart of boiling water on one-half pint of Pure Flaxseed, allowing it to cool, compel the animal to drink it. Repeat this once or twice daily, especially if the animal is pregnant. A physic consisting of Aloin, two drams; Ginger, two drams; prepared in capsule and given with a capsule gun is very effective, but this, however, should not be administered to heavily pregnant cows. Endeavor to move their bowels by careful feeding of laxative food and rectal injections of soda and water. Nerve stimulants are necessary and I have derived good results from the following: Pulv. Nux Vomica, four ounces; Pulv. Ginger, four ounce; Pulv. Gentian Root, four ounces. Make into sixteen capsules and give one capsule every four to six hours. Also apply powdered mustard, moistened with a sufficient quantity of water to make a paste, and rub over the full length of the spine about eight inches in width. This should be covered with paper which will adhere readily to the mustard and water. This application can be repeated every twenty-four hours until satisfactory results have been obtained.

RED WATER.

(_Hematuria_)

CAUSE.—Marshy pastures, water from rich decomposed soil. Vegetation also has a tendency to produce it as cattle eating green shoots from oak, ash, hellebore, hazel and other resinous plants, etc.

SYMPTOMS.—Bloody urine containing no blood clots. This condition is not noticed as a general rule until the cow loses flesh and the production of milk is considerably decreased. One particular symptom of this disease is the milk being exceptionally foamy and perhaps tinged with blood. If the disease is left to run its course, the cow will become emaciated and eventually dies.

TREATMENT.—Find out the cause and remove it if possible. See that the water supply is clean, feed nitrogenous food, as wheat bran mashes or steamed rolled oats. Do not permit the animal to eat resinous plants as stated above.

Administer Pulv. Gentian Root, four ounces; Pulv. Nux Vomica, four ounces; Pulv. Ferri Sulphate, four ounces. Mix and make into sixteen capsules and give one capsule two or three times a day with capsule gun. If the animal is constipated, give two drams of Aloin, three drams of Ginger. Place in capsule and give with capsule gun.

RETAINED AFTERBIRTH.

CAUSE.—Retained afterbirth may follow normal or abnormal calving where there has been more or less inflammation of the womb prior to giving birth, which causes the afterbirth to adhere firmly to its attachments. Cows in poor condition fed on poor food during cold weather are very susceptible to this accident; also very common in aged cows.

SYMPTOMS.—Very easily detected by portions of the membranes (afterbirth) protruding from the Womb or Vulva, which becomes decomposed very shortly and offensive in odor. This accident is very serious when absorption is produced, ill health, drying up of the milk in addition to producing inflammation of the womb, Whites, etc. It may produce blood-poisoning and chances are you will lose your animal.

PREVENTION.—Very important. Feed the cow on food that is easily digested and supply her with fresh water to drink that is not too cold. Flaxseed Tea is very beneficial if given a day or so prior to calving and is prepared by pouring a quart of boiling hot water on one-half pint of Flaxseed, permitting it to cool of its own accord. Then compel the animal to drink it. This appears to have a very good effect on separating the afterbirth from the mushroom-like bodies of the womb to which it is attached.