Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1911-09-01
COMMON DISEASES.
MILK FEVER.
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Milk fever or parturient apoplexy
as it is sometimes called Is q condi-
ton which arises in cows as result
of giving birth to young. The term
milk fever" is somewhat misleading
as there is seldom any elevation Of
temperature; 1t is more truly refer
able to the nervous system and is
really a paralysis of certain Of the
sensory nerves and nerves of locomo-
ton.
Causes.
There are several contributing
causes to this disease in cows. Age is
a factor. and it is generally young
and vigorous COW that is attacked
after bearing her second or third calf.
Heifers seldom succumb. Cows that
are exceptionally heavy milk produc-
ers are also more liable to suffer, and
the general saying that it is the best
COW in the herd" is not without foun-
dation. Such heavy producers are. as
rule, very hearty and consume large
quantities of forage in order to main
tain the production and repair the
constant waste. It il very natural.
then, that the system is charged with
large quantities Of rich blood and is
in state Of plethora. During the in
terval between the time the animal is
dried off" until the act of parturi-
ton takes place. there are formed in
the udder substances Of poisonous
nature which are termed leucomains.
Lastly. unless animals are carefully
watched or are allowed plenty Of sue
culent food or green forage, a state Of
constipation is liable to ensue about
the time the animal begins to spring"
In getting ready for parturition.
I. Prevention.
Any sudden change of heavy diet is
to be avoided. II the COW is running
On pasture It may be we'll to get her
mp a week or ten days previous to
calving and give dry. nourishing and
laxative food in small quantities. Oc-
casional bran mashes. roots or other
succulent foods should keep the
bowels loose If she tends to become
constlpated, quart Of pure raw lin
seed oil as laxative is to be recon-
0ended. A good cathartlc consisting
OF one to one and ham pounds OF
Epson salts should be given several
hours before or directly after calving
Symptoms.
Extreme nervousness is many times
10 mi Vr,sv
may be checked and the animal seam
restless and irritable Switching Of
the tail and stepping about in the stall
are to be observed Many times these
early symptoms pass unnoticed and
The animal shows weak and I'M
steady gait especially in the hind
limbs, food Ia refused. swallowing be-
comes difficult, and finally the patient
goes down. When down she Is unable
70 rise. A wild expression shows in
the eyes whoee pupils become dilated
Later deliFium may set in. The head
h thrown about, bruising the face and
load without apparent pain. Finally
the animal may lie in semi-comatose
condition, either with the nose in the
6ank or the body stretched out broad.
side.
Treatment.
The first essential is absolute quiet
Keep the COW CD her sternum by prop
ping up with bags Of straw or shaw
iAgs. Support the head by q halter
with a rope fastened directly above
It. If extremely cold weather, blanket
freely. Equalize circulation by rub
bling the limbs A mustard paste
mixed with vinegar vigorously rubbed
on the limbs and along the spine will
stimulate the circulation. Do not at
tempt drenching as the animal is I'M
able to swallow. Udder injections
should be made. The udder and teats
should be thoroughly cleaned. Use Il
teat tube which has been sterilized
by boiling and after withdrawing all
the milk from the udder inject boiled
water which has been cooled to 1902
degrees +. Fill each quarter as full
as possible. Sterilized air may be
used by the aid of milk fever appa-
ratus which may be obtained from any
reliable instrument house or through
your druggist AS the cost of these
is nominal one should be on hand
Lastly. bear In mind to thoroughly
cleanse the udder and teats and
Sterilize the teat tube before inject
ing. Inject all the quarters will hold
and in most cases satisfactory results
will be obtained.