The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1899-05-20
Dysentcry In Calves.

Dysentcry in Calves.
Dakota Farmer: Letters OF inquiry to
the veterinary department OF the Kan
sas experiment station, regarding this
disease, have during the past month or
more been so numerous and are cOntinu-
ing to come in at such a rate that It has
been thought best to give the public,
through the press, a.few Of the best
known facts regarding this extremely
fatal disease.
NATURE, occuRANCE AND CAUSE.
Dysentery In yonng animals is most
frequently met with iii calves, but also
causes untold losses IN pigs, lambs and
foals, and is common in dogs and cats.
That similar disease occurs in human
beings is we'll known fact. This di-
sease is so common in many localities,
becoming more prevalent from year to
year, that i'll some places the raising Of
young stock must be abandoned. Ac-
cording to Roell, dysentery is so preva-
lent in portions of Austria that in one
herd of 1913 calves, 1886 ANIMALS were
attacked and 1852 died-97 per cent.
This gives an idea of the mortality to bo
expected from this disease.
The disease attacks chiefly animals
from one to four days old; after that age
it is a much rarer occurrence. Often the
animals are attacked Immediately after
birth without previously having taken
any food whatever. This seems to prove
that the milk of the dam cannot be con-
sidered factor in producing this di-
sease. A further proof to this effect
seems to be that the feeding of milk from
stables free from this disease is no
hinlrance to its development.
Although the infectious principle is
not known, there is no doubt that the
disease is infectious and that tho cxcre-
mcnts harbor the Infectious principle
and constitute the chief medium for It's
dissemination.
1t seems that the disease can be tra.s-
mitted not only from animal to animal
of the same species. but also to animals
Of different species, e. g., from calves to
lambs and pigs (Koetelmann), Fried
berger and Froehner mention the fact
that infectious abortion and infectious
scours Mysentery) often occur at the
same time and thus seem to have some
thing in common.
SYMPTOMS.
The symptoms in different species OF
animals are much the same and are only
too we'll known by some cattleman. In
calves we find the following: Loss Of
appetite. diarrhea very soft or even
watery evacuations), restlessness, tenes-
mus GLeffectual straining to pass dung),
and cries of distress. Later, the excre-
ments. which at frst are Of q grue.-like
conslstence and Of a yellowish color. be-
come watery and whitish in color, mixed
with mucous and particles of coagulated
milk and even blood. At this stage the
excrements have a most disagreeablv
fetid odor. Finally involuntary evacua-
tions take place, the animals become
weak and lie down continually. have
cramps aud spasms and discharge saliva
from the mouth. The eyes become
shrunken and the hair rough, and gen
eral indications of emaciation can be
observed.
Death may occur within tWenty-four
hours Of the appearance Of first symp-
toms, but as a rule not until the lapse of
two OF three days. The mortality is very
high go to 100 per cent Of all attacked
animals die). Frequently all in sta
BILE will succumb to the disease. When
animals recover they remain weak and
nnthrifty for long time.
The symptoms in lambs and colts are
much the same as those given for calves
A few other diseases which may be con-
founded with dysentery are sometimes
met with, but careful observation and
the consideration OF all facts presented
will guard against false diagnosis.
! lRsEAl 1lENIs
Our greatest and might say our only
hope lies in prevention. Prevention
consists in the isolation of the healthy
and diseased animals, and In thorough
disinfection of the infected stables, yard!
and pens as we'll as disinfection Of tht
female genital organs before and afte
parturltion.
The isolation of pregnant cows ant
their removal to new. or thoroughly dis
infected old, quarters a week or ten day
before parturition is an excellent plan
This is more rational treatment ant
promises better success than any amoun
of drugs and medicines administered in
ternally. Animals already attacked mn.
be treated as follows: Give calves tw
or three table-spoonsful Of castor oil
lambs as mary teaspoonsful. Colts ma
; be given one to three grains OF calome
three times per day. The calomel, afte
, being trturated, with little sugar, ma
be added to a little milk and fed to tn
: calf. On the following day, or after th
. oil-or calomel-has lad its effect Qas
ative). the following. recommended b
Frledberger and Froehner may be given
Powdered rhubarb root, one drachm.
! Powdered magnesium carbonate, fl
: teen grains.
Powdered opium, thirty grains.
. Good brandy or whiskev, two ounces.
Mix, dilute with equal parts Of waite
shake we'll, and give to calf as one dos
:, repeating a similar dose every three
: six hours until the diarrhea is relieved.
:, The following treatment was USE
: with success by the writer: Take woo
y y tar, one pound, place in vessel ar