Part 1

VETERINARY SCIENCE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

NOTES ON DISEASES OF THE HORSE CAUSE, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

BY CHARLES J. KORINEK, V.S.

_Graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College, in affiliation with the University of Toronto, Canada. Hon. Member of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Society. Ex. State Veterinarian for Oregon. Ex. President of the Oregon State Veterinary Medical Board of Examiners. Author of “The Veterinarian”. Principal of the Veterinary Science Association of America. Sixteen years of Practical Experience as a Veterinary Surgeon._

PUBLISHED BY THE VETERINARY SCIENCE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

COPYRIGHT 1917 by the VETERINARY SCIENCE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

PREFACE

This treatise on the diseases of horses has been written with the primary purpose of placing in the hands of the Student and the Veterinary Profession, a book of practical worth; hence, all unnecessary padding is omitted, so that the reader may quickly grasp the knowledge of the subject or disease for which he may be seeking.

The treatment suggested in each case is one I have used and found efficient in my many years of practice.

If my readers will study and follow the directions carefully, they will save themselves, as well as their neighbors, much unnecessary loss. My confidence in this accomplishment is my reward for my labor in behalf of our faithful servant the Horse.

CHARLES J. KORINEK, V. S.

DISEASES OF THE HORSE

CAUSE, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

LOCATION OF PARTS OF THE HORSE

1. Mouth. 2. Nostrils. 3. Nose. 4. Face. 5. Eye. 6. Forehead. 7. Ears. 8. Poll. 9. Throat lach. 10. Jaw. 11. Chin. 12. Windpipe. 13. Neck. 14. Crest. 15. Withers. 16. Shoulder bed. 17. Chest. 18. Shoulders. 19. Forearm. 20. Knees. 21. Cannons. 22. Fetlock. 23. Pasterns. 24. Feet. 25. Feather. 25½. Elbow. 26. Flank. 27. Heart girth. 28. Back. 29. Loin. 30. Hip bone. 31. Coupling. 32. Ribs. 33. Belly. 34. Rear flank. 35. Stifle. 36. Thigh. 37. Buttock. 38. Croup. 39. Tail. 40. Quarters. 41. Lower thigh. 42. Hocks.

THE USE OF THE CLINICAL THERMOMETER

This instrument is employed for taking the internal temperature of the body, which is most conveniently done by placing the instrument for about three minutes in the animal’s rectum. Owing to the almost general adoption of this method, the expression “internal temperature” is used as a rule to signify “rectal temperature”; although the respective temperatures of different parts of the body vary to a slight extent. The practice of placing the thermometer in the mouth, as is the custom in human medicine, is not suitable to animals, owing to the danger of the patient breaking the glass instrument with the teeth.

The indications afforded by the clinical thermometer are valuable guides as to the state of the animal’s health at the time, or what it will shortly be. Thus, in a horse at rest under ordinary conditions, if there be a rise of three or four degrees without the animal evincing any other sign of illness, we may be assured that disease in some form will, after a day or two, manifest itself in him. During illness, a temperature of, say, 106° F. or more points to a condition of great danger.

The clinical thermometer is especially useful in indicating the state of an animal during infective diseases and diseases of the organs of breathing. A fall in temperature, when it has been abnormally high, will generally point to a favorable termination of the disease; although in some cases it is the precursor of rapidly approaching death.

TEMPERATURE DURING HEALTH.

As a rule, there is a daily variation in the internal temperature of a healthy animal of about 1° F.; the maximum being attained at about 6 o’clock in the evening. In the adult animal, the temperature is about 1° F. higher than in a very young or very old animal. It is about 1° F. less in the female than in the male, except when she is “in season,” during which time it is about 2° F. higher than normal. The temperature of well-bred animals is higher than that of common animals. A rise of 4° or 5° F., compatible with health, may be observed in animals during violent exercise or work in hot weather. The temperature of well-fed animals is higher than that of poorly-fed ones. During digestion, it rises about 1° F., and falls about the same amount during sleep. Exposure to the rays of a hot sun for a few hours may cause a rise of as much as 3° F., and the effects of cold and rain may equally lower it.

NORMAL TEMPERATURE OF THE HORSE.—

From 2 to 5 years old the temperature is 100.6° F.

From 5 to 10 years old the temperature is 100.4° F.

From 10 to 15 years old the temperature is 100° F.

From 15 to 20 years old the temperature is 98.4° to 100.2° F.

New born foals’ temperature will run from 102° to 104° F.

TEMPERATURE OF CATTLE.—Normal temperature is from 101.8° to 102° F. Compared with the horse, the daily variations are small.

TEMPERATURE OF SHEEP AND GOATS.—In these animals the greatest variation in temperature occurs, viz.: 100.9° to 105.8° F. In the majority of cases the temperature probably will be between 103.6° and 104.4° F. The cause of this variation is unknown.

TEMPERATURE OF SWINE.—The average temperature is 103.3° F., varying from 100.9° to 105.4° F.

TEMPERATURE OF THE DOG.—The dog is subject to important variations depending on the external temperature; it varies from 99.5° to 101.7° F., although in some localities it is as high as 100.9° to 101.3° F. Feeding will increase the temperature, and it is also higher towards evening.

PULSE.

PULSE FEELING.—Pulse are usually taken at the lower jaw; its character there being better marked than at other convenient situations. The artery may be felt underneath the lower jaw, just in front of the fleshy part of the cheek. On passing the fingers of the hand over the spot, two vessels can be distinguished lying closely together; one, the duct which conveys saliva from the parotid gland into the mouth; the other, the artery which supplies the face with blood. The middle finger should be applied so as to gently press the artery against the inner surface of the bone. The ball of the thumb should not be placed on the outside of the jaw, lest the operator might mistake the pulsation of the artery of his thumb for that of the patient’s artery.

Very frequently the indication of the artery of the fore-arm is the one adopted. This vessel is on the inner side of the fore-arm, and may be felt by inserting the hand, from the front, between the breast and fore-arm, and feeling for the slightly prominent head of the bone just below the elbow joint.

The pulse can be felt at other parts of the body, but those mentioned are more practical.

PULSE.—The pulse in the horse, as in other animals, is of great importance; it tells the number and the force of the heart beats. When taking pulse endeavor to keep the animal as quiet as possible, for if you excite him, you will find the pulse increased several beats, and after standing some time it will again fall. Pulse varies in different animals; slower in heavier horses, quicker in highly nervous animals. It may vary five or ten beats per minute, and the animal still be in perfect health. There are various kinds of pulsations, as the result of certain diseases, the quick, slow, large, hard, soft, frequent and infrequent. The strong, full pulse may be present, and consistent with good health; exercise will change the pulse to a considerable extent. But if the animal is suffering from disease, and then the pulse is of a wiry character, it is characteristic of the sthenic type of inflammation. Suppose an animal has been standing in the stable, and is attacked with lymphangitis, the pulse is full, bounding, wiry, characteristic of inflammation of the bowels, punctures of the feet, inflammation of the joints, etc. The weak, small pulse is indicative of debility, showing inflammation of an esthetic type. It may occur in influenza and catarrh. The oppressed pulse is characteristic of congestion and inflammation of the lungs; you would think the heart had great difficulty in propelling the blood forward. The throbbing pulse is characteristic of inflammation in certain parts. In laminitis there is, perhaps, the best example of the throbbing pulse, beating quickly, with a peculiar throbbing sensation, especially in any inflammatory action in the vascular structures of the feet, making the circulation difficult. A slow pulse is characteristic of cerebral disease, but if only twenty-eight or thirty you may say at once it is cerebral disease; if it is accompanied by a comatose condition, then it is indicative of this disease. The intermitting pulse is found where the animal has suffered from some debilitating disease, as influenza, distemper, catarrh, etc. Although it must in some cases be looked upon with suspicion, it is not generally very alarming, but if there is a change for the worse, and this pulse, it is unfavorable. The fluttering and almost imperceptible pulse indicates great change in the system, as in the latter stages of enteritis (inflammation of the bowels), pleurisy, pneumonia, etc., especially in enteritis; if a case where the pulse is forty, fifty or sixty per minute, and changes, and runs up to eighty or a hundred and becomes indistinct, it is indicative of approaching dissolution. These are the varieties of pulse, and due to the manner in which disease attacks the various organs. You may meet with a case at one hundred and twenty-five where it may recover, but higher than this will no doubt prove fatal. The pulse in the young is much more rapid than in the adult animal; that of a foal at birth beats one hundred to one hundred and two per minute, while that of a calf will go to one hundred and thirty per minute. In old age the pulsation becomes reduced and the arteries much weaker. The pulse rate in large animals is less than in smaller ones, as for instance, an elephant’s pulse rate is from twenty-five to twenty-eight beats per minute. The more rapid the pulse, the greater the quantity of blood in circulation.

THE NORMAL PULSE THROBS PER MINUTE OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS—

Per Minute. The horse 36 to 42 Cattle 45 to 50 Sheep and goats 70 to 80 The dog 70 to 80 Swine 90 to 100

By taking the pulse we can form some idea of the character of the disease.

ABORTION IN MARES.

CAUSE.—Quality and quantity of food, poorly lighted, ventilated or drained stables, mare falling or slipping, sprains, kicks, hard, fast work or eating poisonous vegetation.

SYMPTOMS.—Mare will show signs of colic, the outer portion of the womb will be swollen, and if the colicky symptoms continue there will be a watery discharge and the membranes covering the foetus or foal will become noticeable. The animal strains when lying down or getting up.

TREATMENT.—Place the animal in comfortable quarters and blanket if chilly. When colicky pains are present treat the same as for spasmodic colic. To stop the straining and labor pains, give Tincture Opii one ounce, placing in gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun every two hours. One to two doses, however, are generally sufficient as the mare will either abort or the dangerous period will have passed. Keep the animal quiet and feed good nutritious food and pure water with chill taken off in small quantities but often. Disinfect the mare’s quarters thoroughly. A good general tonic should be used in this condition, one that will strengthen and assist nature to throw off impurities from the blood, such as Sodium Hyposulphite, eight ounces; Potassi Iodide, one ounce. Make into eight powders and give one powder two or three times a day in drinking water.

ABSCESS.

CAUSE.—Bruises and injuries. Abscesses are also seen in complications with various diseases, perhaps the most common being distemper, laryngitis, etc.

SYMPTOMS.—Symptoms will vary, of course, according to the development of the disease. It may not be noticed at first, but upon careful examination small tortuous lines will be observed running from the point of irritation. In many cases a swelling is noticed which is hot, painful and throbbing and enlarges rapidly. In two or three days the soreness and heat gradually subside, but the abscess continues to grow. The hair falls from the affected parts and in a short time the abscess discharges, and the cavity gradually fills up and heals by granulation.

TREATMENT.—In all cases hasten the ripening process as much as possible by applying hot water packs or hot bran, flaxseed or vegetable poultices. It will usually be found a safe plan to encourage the full ripening of an abscess and allow it to open of its own accord, as it will heal much better and quicker and you take no chances of infection with an instrument. When opened do not squeeze the abscess to any extent, but press gently with clean hands or cloth, to remove the clot, and after this simply keep open by washing the abscess with a three per cent Carbolic Acid solution or Bichloride of Mercury, one part to one thousand parts of water. When an animal has abscesses it is well to give the following blood purifiers or internal antiseptics: Hyposulphite of Soda, eight ounces; Potassi Iodide, one ounce. Mix well and make into eight powders and give one powder twice daily in drinking water, or place in gelatin capsule and administer with capsule gun. This prescription will prevent the absorption of impurities from the abscess into the blood.

ANEMIA.

CAUSE.—Insufficient quality and quantity of food, insanitary surroundings, overwork, lack of exercise, drains on the system from acute or chronic diseases, worms; and can also be brought about by excessive heat, cold or pressure and lessening of the calibre of the arteries, poisons in the blood, suppurating wounds, repeated purging or bleedings.

SYMPTOMS.—The visible mucous membranes of the nose, eyes and mouth are pale and sometimes have a yellow appearance. There is weakness, temperature of the body is lower than normal; pulse weak, legs cold to the feet, cold sweats are often present, breathing is quickened, especially in its last stages, animals tire easily, appetite and digestion become poor, swelling of the legs and the under surface of the abdomen, sheath and udder; the skin becomes rough and dry.

TREATMENT.—Remove the cause if possible in its first stages, or when first noticed. Give a physic of Calomel, two scruples; Aloin, two drams; Pulv. Gentian, two drams; Ginger, two drams. Place in gelatin capsule and give at one dose with capsule gun. Also, administer the following: Arsenious Acid, one dram; Ferri Sulphate, three ounces; Pulv. Gentian, three ounces; Pulv. Fenugreek Seed, three ounces, and Pulv. Anise Seed, three ounces. Mix well and make into twenty powders. Give one powder three times a day in feed, or place in gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun. Endeavor to build up the condition of the animal by the proper quantity and quality of food. Give pure water to drink, also provide sanitary conditions, as pure air, sunlight if possible. Turn out to grass when the weather is favorable. This treatment should be continued until the animal shows sign of improvement. However, the administration of physics should be given with great care so as not to produce superpurgation of the bowels (scours), as physics in this condition would tend to weaken the animal.

It is to be borne in mind that pure water and nourishing food play a very important part in the treatment of Anemia.

APHTHAE.

(_Sore mouth and tongue—Pustular Stomatitis_)

CAUSE.—Superficial eruptions of the mucous membranes of the mouth and tongue. Frequently seen during convalescence of intermittent fever. This condition may also follow diseases of the digestive system, as Indigestion, etc., due to the blood absorbing toxic materials which break out in the form of pustules about the mouth and the whole alimentary canal (stomach and intestines).

SYMPTOMS.—The appetite is impaired, the mouth hot, the pulse not much affected as a rule, the temperature is slightly elevated, the animal is unable to masticate, and small vesicles appear and eventually terminate into pustules and burst and discharge a small amount of pus at the parts where the sores are the deepest.

TREATMENT.—Remove the cause if possible. Feed clean, soft food that is easily digested, as hot wheat bran mashes and steamed rolled oats, vegetables, etc. For a mouth-wash dissolve the following: One dram of Copper Sulphate, one dram of Chlorate of Potash, one dram of Boracic Acid in clean hot water, and syringe out the mouth two or three times a day. To the drinking water add one ounce of Hyposulphite of Soda twice a day. Where the appetite is impaired, administer the following: Pulv. Nux Vomica, Pulv. Gentian Root, Pulv. Iron, Pulv. Nitrate of Potash each two ounces. Mix and make into sixteen capsules and give one capsule three times a day with capsule gun.

AZOTURIA.

CAUSE.—This disease is usually due to work after a period of idleness, during which the animal has been liberally fed. It is found principally among highly-fed draft horses, and never in animals which are regularly worked. Light breeds of horses are also susceptible to this disease.

SYMPTOMS.—Attack is sudden and usually appears when the horse has traveled a short distance after having been stabled for a few days. The characteristic symptoms of this disease in an animal are: Excitability without apparent cause; actions seem to indicate injury of the hind quarters or loins. Animal has a peculiar goose-rumped look, owing to the muscles over the quarters being violently contracted, and are hard on pressure. One hind limb is generally advanced in front of the other, and on attempting to put weight on it, the hind quarters will drop until at times the hocks almost touch the ground. Sometimes a front leg is affected. The breathing is hurried. Animal is bathed in sweat, and is in such agony that it will seize almost anything with its teeth. Although the pulse is hard and frequent, the internal temperature, even in severe cases, seldom rises to any marked extent. The urine is dark-red to dirty-brown color. Owing to the stoppage of the worm-like movement of the bowels, there is generally constipation and retention of the urine. Sometimes the symptoms are milder than here described. In other cases the animal soon falls to the ground and continues to struggle in a delirious, half-paralyzed state until he dies. Sometimes this disease is mistaken for colic or acute indigestion, but it can be readily distinguished by the color of the urine.

TREATMENT.—At the first symptom, stop and blanket the animal and let stand from one to three hours. Then move to the nearest shelter, keeping the animal as quiet and comfortable as possible, as excitement aggravates the disease. Give Aloin, two drams; Ginger, two drams, in capsule, and administer with capsule gun. Also, give the following prescription: Potassi Nitrate, eight ounces; Sodii Bicarbonate, eight ounces; Potassi Iodide, one and one-half ounces. Mix well and make into thirty-two powders. Give one powder in drinking water every four hours, or in capsule, and give with capsule gun. Injections of soap and warm water per rectum are beneficial. Immerse a blanket in hot water and place over loins, then covering with a dry blanket, or, if this is impossible, apply the following liniment: Aqua Ammonia Fort., two ounces; Turpentine, two ounces; Sweet Oil, four ounces, and rub in like a shampoo over the loins. It may be necessary to draw off the urine, which is sometimes retained. Allow the animal to drink often, though in small quantities, of pure water with the chill taken off. If he is unable to stand on his feet it is well to turn him from side to side every six hours. It is also advisable to fill bags with hay and place against his shoulders to prevent him from lying flat on his side, as this may cause congestion of the lungs. Avoid drenching—it is dangerous. Should the animal show signs of uneasiness, give one ounce of Potassi Bromide in the drinking water every four hours until the excitement has subsided.

BARRENNESS.

(_Failure to Breed_)

CAUSE.—Contraction of the neck of the womb, growths on or in the ovaries, Whites or Leucorrhea. The first is the only form of barrenness which responds readily to treatment.

SYMPTOMS.—A mare may come in heat normally, or stay in heat continually, or not come in heat at all.

TREATMENT.—Wash the hands in some antiseptic solution, such as Carbolic Acid or Bichloride of Mercury, and see that the finger-nails are smooth. Grease the hand and arm with vaseline and proceed to dilate the neck of the womb. It may be difficult at first to insert the finger, but the opening will gradually enlarge. Work slowly and carefully until three fingers may be inserted. Breeding should follow about three hours after the womb has been dilated.

BLEEDING.

(_Hemorrhage_)

Bleeding sometimes follows operations as castration and wounds due to various causes.

TREATMENT.—When bleeding from a large artery, it should be tied with a clean silk or linen thread or twisted with a pair of forceps or cauterized with a hot iron. Sometimes compression by the use of tightly bound bandages proves effective, although the former appliances are more practical. Tincture chloride of iron, applied to small arteries or veins, causes the blood to clot in the arteries or veins, and hence stops the hemorrhage. It is very essential that all wounds should be treated antiseptically and I cannot say that I am in favor of washing a wound with water only in cases where the wound is very filthy, and I prefer powder applications in preference to any liquid antiseptics. The following will be found very effective in the treatment of the majority of wounds: Boracic acid, two ounces; iodoform, two drams; tannic acid, two ounces; calomel, one dram; powder finely and mix well. Place in sifter top can and apply two or three times daily.

BLOOD POISONING.

(_Septicaemia or Pyemia_)

CAUSE.—By the popular term, “Blood Poison,” is meant a state of constitutional disturbance brought on by the entrance of putrid products—usually from a wound—into the blood. As a rule some pressure or inoculation is necessary for the introduction of poison into the circulation; hence, the necessity of free drainage and thorough disinfection of the wound, and the only hopeful cases are those in which by this means the supply of poison may be cut short.

SYMPTOMS.—It is introduced through any wound or abrasion, whether due to injury, disease or by an operation. Signs of septic poison are heat, pain and swelling.

TREATMENT.—It is necessary to see that the wound has good drainage, and wash with Carbolic Acid, one tablespoonful to one pint of distilled water or Bichloride of Mercury perhaps is the best in an infected wound. Apply one part to one thousand parts water. Also, give internally, Potassi Iodide, one ounce; Sodii Hyposulphite, eight ounces. Make into eight powders and give one powder two or three times a day in their drinking water or in capsule, and give with capsule gun. This is an intestinal antiseptic which is very valuable in the treatment of Blood Poisoning. Feed soft, laxative food and green grass, if possible.

BOG SPAVIN.