The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-05-14
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!: An. 110
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AZOTURIA.s
abstract of Press Bulletin No 4, by
Dr. NJ II. Reyn Odds, University Elk
n rfl IN q n g =, II 49,


Il pertinent Station @EE5
st. Anthony Park, MINI, April %, 4
1896. Azoturia is a common and very
serious disease which affects horses
under certain well defined conditions. A
1t 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
E 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 a sea-
son OF irregular work, will explain
why 50 many cases Of azoturia occur
during the spring months. It is hoped
that this little bulletin may prove Of
timely value to the farmers Of Mime
sofa. :. Il
Azoturia rarely appears among the
horses at pasture or among those dos
ing regular work, but almost invaria-
bly, during exercise after a period of
idleness, on full feed, which has sue
ceeded previous period of work.
This disease is frequently confound-
ed with collie. Sometimes farmers call
it 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 persistent and more or less
complete paralysis of the hind quar-
ters 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 a 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.
It is probable that there occurs an ac-
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 a point
Of dispute. Some authorities ascribe
very prominent place to this condi-
ton among the causes Of azoturia 1t
is quite possible that the two condi-
tons 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
Die feeling unusually we'll; then, after
going short distance, there is a 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 go
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-
cifc gravity; i. e., heavier than nat
ural The pulse may run up to go or
so per minute normal, ~ to 49,; the
temperature may be increased to 1O2
or 1O4 normal, 1O1.59, but in many
cases the pulse. and tempera tmre
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 NAV
be suppressed but the bowels will
usually eyacuate under the influence
OF an Injection or other local irritation
A chronic paralysis affecting one or
both hind limbs may be a very trouble
some factor in the case Il
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 bu1le-
tin after all is to direct the attention
of farmers toward the idea Of proven
ton.
Observation-Disclosures is simple,
easily applied and without expense.
One attack predisposes to Others and
horse that has had Azotllria once is
very apt to have it again and the sec
B Ond attack is more easily brought on
than the first There is but slight
danger Of Azoturia for the horse that
is 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
been working for a time and must
stand idle for few days or even.
twenty four hours, make very large
reduction in the grain ration or stop
all the grain if the horse is quite fat,
) for fat horse needs but little grain
when standing idle under any condi-
lions and especially is this true if he
has recently been at work. Allow
plenty Of water and turn out in the.
yard every day if possible 1t would
be still better if the horse could be.
continued at light work. When such
horse has been standing for some
time after previous exercise and the
grain has not been reduced as it should
have been, the next best thing is to
give single dose Of some medicine
for decided cathartic effect; e. G., a.
quart Of raw inseed oil thirty-six
hours before hitching and then work