Part 25 (1/2)

WHIP WORM

This worm is very uncommon, but occasionally is found in the large intestines.

CAUSE: The eggs become imbedded in the manure, bedding, etc., and then mix with the feed and drinking water and are taken into the digestive ca.n.a.l where they develop into matured worms. This worm is from one to three inches in length, the hind extremity of which is very thin, hence the name, ”Whipworm.”

SYMPTOMS: They produce very little disturbance, even though present in large quant.i.ties, except when other worms a.s.sist in their irritating the lining membranes of the large intestines.

MEDICAL TREATMENT: Withhold all food from eighteen to twenty-four hours, then give one teaspoonful of Gasolene thoroughly mixed with milk, to everyone hundred pounds of hog weight. Small hogs, reduce the dose in proportion to their weight. It is advisable to follow this dose for two or three consecutive days. Feed food that is easily digested, and see that they have fresh water to drink.

DISEASES OF SHEEP AND GOATS

Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

[Ill.u.s.tration: Photograph of sheep with numbers referring to the parts named below.]

1. Mouth 2. Nostrils 3. Eyes 4. Forehead 5. Poll 6. Ears 7. Neck or Scrag 8. Throat or Throttle 9. Brisket or Breast 10. Shoulder vein 11. Shoulder 12. Legs 13. Fore flank 14. Heart girth 15. Crops 16. Back 17. Loin 18. Rump 19. Coupling 20. Ribs 21. Belly 22. Sheath 23. s.c.r.o.t.u.m 24. Rear flanks 25. Leg of Mutton 26. Twist 27. Tail or Dock 28. Rump

CHAPTER IV

ABORTION

CAUSE: Is usually produced by injuries, or by the ewes being poisoned from eating poisonous foods, plants, etc. It has never occurred in infectious form in this country, although sometimes an outbreak is thought infectious on account of several ewes aborting about the same time, but all such outbreaks have been traced to some irritating poison which they had taken with their food or drinking water.

PREVENTIVE TREATMENT: Remove the aborted lambs or kids and afterbirth from the yards, and also withdraw the ewe or nanny and place her in comfortable quarters. She requires care and extra nursing, or she will become very poor and lose a large portion of her fleece.

MEDICAL TREATMENT: If due to poisonous plants, etc., when the first symptoms of Abortion or poisoning are noticed, give six to ten ounces of Castor Oil. Warm the oil so it will run freely. Set the sheep or goat upon its haunches and pour very slowly. Great care must be exercised so as not to let any of the oil enter the lungs, as it may produce fatal pneumonia. Feed food that is easily digested and supply them with pure water to drink. When the general condition is weak or run down, so to speak, the following tonic is recommended: Pulv. Gentian Root, one ounce; Pulv. Nux Vomica, one ounce; Pulv. Pota.s.sium Nitrate, one ounce; Hyposulphite of Soda, three ounces; Protan, three ounces. Mix and make into twenty-four powders. Give one powder two or three times daily well back on the tongue.

REMEMBER all tonics are bitter, therefore beware of any so-called tonics that the animals eat readily as these possess no real tonic values.

BLACK SCOURS

(Verminous Gastritis--Strongylosis)

CAUSE: Due to a worm (Strongylus Contortus) measuring one-fourth to one inch in length, inhabiting the intestines and the fourth stomach of sheep and goats. This disease is frequently seen in low, marshy pastures, where animals infested with the worm pa.s.s the ova or egg with the feces, the eggs developing into an embryotic worm which is again taken with the food or water by non-infected animals, whereby this disease again attacks the intestines and fully matured worms develop.

SYMPTOMS: Naturally, the symptoms vary according to the violence of the attack. In well developed cases, the animal strains to defecate, and pa.s.ses shreds of intestinal mucous along with blood-stained feces.

Finally a severe dysentery takes place, the animal becomes correspondingly weak, and death takes place in two or three days. Some cases become chronic, in which death does not take place for a month or more. However, the latter is uncommon. Other signs are staggering gait, trembling, eyes fixed, showing wild expression, neck turned to one side.

Then the animal appears as if in pain, and looks around at the flank frequently. There is a chopping of the jaws, and a very free flow of stringy saliva dropping from the mouth. When an animal dies from the symptoms just described, it should be cut open and carefully examined for this particular parasite, which can be easily seen with the naked eye.

TREATMENT: Very successfully treated when the first symptoms appear by administering one ounce of Gasolene with a pint of Milk. To lambs or kids give half the dose. Every precaution should be taken so as to prevent the drench from entering the lungs. Perhaps the best method is to set the animal on its haunches and pour the liquid slowly and carefully; if they cough, let them down. Any drench entering the lungs produces fatal pneumonia. Feed good nouris.h.i.+ng food, and supply them with fresh water to drink.