The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-05-22
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AxoTURIA.

4
Ax0TURIA.
Abstract Of Press Bulletin No. =, By
DR.. N. u. REYNOLDS, University Ex.
pertinent Station.
st. Anthony Park, Mimi, April %,
lS96.-Azoturia is common and very
serious disease which affects horses
under certain wen defined conditions.
It is common, frequently fatal and al
ways affects the best and most valua-
bic horses, and is SO very easily pre-
vented that it would seem as though
the farmer should be familiar with
this disease and his knowledge should
come along other lines than that of sad
experience. Farm horses in the North
west do comparatively little work dur
ing the winter, and are In high flesh
when early spring work opens. This
condition, together with the fact that
the early spring is necessarily . sea-
son Of irregular work, will explain
why 80 many cases Of axoturia occur
during the spring months. It is hoped
that this little bulletin may prove Of
timely value to the farmers Of Mime
sofa.
Azoturia rarely appears among the
horses at pasture or among those do
ing regular work, but almost invaria-
bly, during exercise after period Of
idleness, ON full feed, which has sue
ceeded a previous period Of work.
This disease is frequently confound-
ed with collie. Sometimes farmers call
1T spinal disease and sometimes it is
thought to be an Inflammation of the
kidneys; but is easily distinguished
from any Of these by the history which
Is very uniform, by the symptoms
which appear and by the condition Of
the urine.
Mild cases may recover in three or
four days. The more severe cases
either die in few days or there may
remain a persistent and more or less
complete paralysis of the hind quar-
tiers and limbs for several weeks.
Among the predisposing causes are
high flesh, diet rich in flesh forming
materials, and full feed during a
period Of rest following q period of
regular work. Most cases appear dur
ing the prime Of Life and mares are
more frequently affected than geldings,
but all are liable.
The chief precipitating factor is
active exercise, following idleness ON
full feed under conditions above given.
1t lis probable that there occurs an &C.
emulation Of surplus proteid matters
in the system during the period of idle
ness which is rapidly disorganized
when exercise begins. Just what part
may be played in this disease by sud-
den exposures to cold after confine-
ment in warm, damp stables is point
Of dispute. Some authorities ascribe
q very prominent place to this condi-
ton among the causes Of azoturia. 1t
is quite possible that the two condi-
tiOns of accumulated prOteids and sud-
den exposure to cold may be associated
in many cases.
Symptoms-The symptoms appear
suddenly and are very uniform. The
horse frequently comes out of the sta
BILE feeling unusually we'll; then, after
going short distance, there is q sud-
den lameness in his hind legs. Some
times both are affected alike, but usu-
ally one first, and more frequently the
left. The horse staggers, is very weak
on his hind legs and may fall before he
can be unhitched. These patients per-
spire very freely before and after 60
ing down; the muscles over the loins
and hips are hard to the touch, and
frequently tender on pressure and may
tremble or twitch. The urine is highly
colored, varying from red to almost
black, and is usually increased in spe-
cific gravity; /. e., heavier than nat
ural. The pulse may run up to GO or
80 per minute (normal, AZ to 49,; the
temperature may be increased to 1O2
or 104 normal, 1915, but in many
cases the pulse and temperature
vary but little from the normal The
bowels may be normal and the appe-
tite fairly good in mild cases. The
skin sensation may be diminished as
shown by pricking with a pin. The
natural action of the intestines may
be suppressed but the bowels will
usually evacuate under the influence
Of an injection or other local irritation
A chronic paralysis affecting one or
both hind limbs may be q very trouble
some factor in the case.
Treatment is given and discussed
in the full bulletin as published by the
Experiment Station. 1t is not given
here because of the length and be-
cause Of the Chief purpose of the bulle-
tin after all is to direct the attention
of farmers toward the idea of preyen-
ton.
Prevention.-Prevent is simple,
easily applied and without expense.
One attack predisposes to others and q
horse that has had Azoturia once is
very apt to have 1t again and the Sec
ond attack is more easily brought on
than the first There Is but slight
danger Of Azoturia for the horse that
IL thin and weak, for the young colt
or for the aged, for this disease usual
" Affects one in good flesh and in the
prime Of life. When such horse has