The Dickinson press., 1896-05-23
49,
'a 49,
AZOTURIA.

e.
AZOTURIA.
Abstract Of Press Bulletin No.. 2, by
DR.. NJ. II. Reynolds, University Ex-
pertinent Station.
st. Anthony Park, Mimi, April %,
1S96.-Azoturia is a common and very
serious disease which affects horses
under certain well defined conditions.
1t is common, frequently fatal and al
ways affects the best and most valua-
BILE 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 q "a
son of irregular work, will explain
why so many of azoturia occur
during the spring months. 1t 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 these do
ing regular work, but almost invaria-
bly, during exercise after q period of
idlencss, on full feed, which has sue
ceeded a previous period of work.
This disease is frequently confound-
ed with collie. Sometimes farmers call
it spinal disease and sometimes 1t 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 a 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 cause are
high flesh, diet rich in flesh forming
materials, and full feed during q
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.
1t 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 conine-
ment in warm, damp stables is a point
of dispute. Some authorities ascribe
a very prominent place to this condi-
lion among the causes of azoturia. It
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
Die feeling unusually well; then, after
going a short distance, there Is a sud
den lameness in his hind legs. Some
times both are affected alike, but usu-
ally M first, and more frequently the
left. The horse staggers, is very weak
on his hind legs and may fall before he
can be u%nhitched. 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 NAV |
tremble or twitch. The urine is highly |
colored, varying from red to almost
black, and Is usually increased in spe-
cihc gravity; l. e., heavier than nat
ural. The pulse may run up to go or
80 per minute (normal, ~ to 48); 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 anne
title 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 viii
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 preven-
ton.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES is simple. |
easily applied and without expense.
One attack predisposes to others and a
horse that has had Axoturia once Ia
very apt to have it again and the sec
ond attack is more easily brought on
than the first. There il 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
ly affects nj in good flesh and in the
prime Of life. When such a horse has
been working for a time and must
stand idle for q few days or even
twenty-four hours, make a very large
in the grain ration or stop
all the grain II the horse is quite fat. |
for a fat horse needs but little grain
when standing idle under any condi- |
tons 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. It would
be still better il the horse could be
continued at light work. When such
a horse has been standing for some
tine after previous exercise and the
grain has not been reduced as it should
have been, the next best thing is to
give a single dose Of some medicine
for a decided cathartic effect; e. e., a
quart of raw linseed oil thirty-six
hours before hitching and then work
very moderately the first day, for
quick or violent exercise seems more
liable to bring on an attack than slow
and gentle use. This should be borne
in mind when taking q horse out for
the first time after a period of idle
ness.
f BreSking a Colt,
There are two very essential things
regarding breaking in q colt. First
you must he a man Of courage, and
second, you must be blessed with a
mild disposition and be a true lover
Of the class Of animals you are handl-
ing. II you have an ungovernable
temper, don't ever undertake to break
In q colt. There are times when the
whip must be applied, but all men do
not know when to stop when they