The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1913-09-05
collie in HORSES

The state agricultural experiment
station at Pullman has just issued the
following newspaper bulletin over the
signature of ]. w. Kalkus, assistant
veterinarian:
Among the numerous ailments to
which horseflesh is heir, the so-called
COLES are probably the most common
at this season of the year. The term
collie has long been used to designate
an abdominal pain caused by some
disturbance of the stomach or intes-
| tines, and as these organs are quite
complicated in the horse, it is obvious
that the word does not signify any
special disease. Many stockmen are
prone to think that all colics are
alike and many conclude that because
| one horse RECEIVERS from an attack
without treatment, all other cases
have like chance. This, however, is
not the case, as the severity of an
| attack depends largely on the variety
perienced man to make a differentia-
ton.
The common cause of collie at this
season of the year is the sudden
change from old to new hay. This is
so relished by the animal that the
stomach becomes overloaded, causing
fermentation and resulting in
distention of the stomach or intestines,
or both, by gas. This type of collie is
one of the most dangerous and rapidly
fatal forms of the diseases known.
The construction of the stomach and
intestines is such that once distended
it is impossible for the accumulated
gas to escape unless it is aided either
by the introduction of a stomach tube
or trOcar.
1t is well to keep in mind that
horses are apt to overload on new hay
and every feeder should be very eau
tious and give only a small amount
at time until the animals become
accustomed to the change. 1t is also
well to give every horse that receives
dry feed bran mash, either wet or
dry, containing a handful of linseed
meal and little salt, at least twice
weekly. Such slight precautions when
neglected often result in the loss of
valuable horse.
The symptoms of collie are no doubt
familiar to all horse owners, although
the symptoms differ somewhat with
the various forms of the disease, they
may be summed up as follows:
Pain, which may come on suddenly
or gradually. If in harness the horse
goes Short" gives way in the hind
quarters, stops, becomes restless.
paws the ground and stamps, shakes
himself, and can be prevented only
with difficulty from lying down. Later
on he often totters, groans, kicks with
the hind legs at the abdomen, looks
round at his hind quarters, whisks his
tail, stands over at the knees, arches
his back, stretches the head and neck,
and places the hind feet under the
body. AS rule, the animal lies down
very carefully and slowly, or makes
attempts to lie down, but sometimes
may throw himself recklessly on the
ground. He may lie still or roll and
kick violently. He may sweat pro-
fusely and bloat and die within four
or five hours from the outset.
During the onset of an attack of
collie it is well to give one quart of
raw linseed oil, to which has been
added one ounce of spirits of turpen-
tine and two drains of fluid extract of
nux vOmica. Feed should be entirely
withheld for at least twenty-four
hours, but allow plenty of water. If
bloat is excessive it should be prompt
ly relieved with trocar by an ex.
perienced hand.