Little Falls herald., 1914-11-27
Az0TURIA, a COLD WEATHER
DIsEAsE OF HORSES

With the approach OF cold weather
horse owners should guard against
azoturia, which occurs almost invaria-
IDLY in well-conditioned animals and
claims many victims, especially during
the winter season.
Various local names have been Civ
en- to this disease, among which may
be mentioned 1tlumbago, y tsspinal
meningitis, and stblack water, The
two former terms have been applied
owing to the hard and swollen condi-
tion Of the muscles Of the loins and
Group and the loss of control Of the
hind parts commonly observed in
these cases, and the latter name is de-.
scriptive Of the urine, which is .usu-
ally Of a dark coffee color.
While azoturia may occur at any
season of the year it is but seldom
observed during the warm weather of
summer. It usually appears in highly
fed wellnourished animals which,
though. accustomed to regular work,
have remained idle for one or more
days without a corresponding reduc-
tion in the rations.
As a rule the animal is attacked
suddenly soon after leaving the stable
in apparently perfect condition. The
attack may occur after 5 or 10 minu-
utes' driving or, in some cases, several
hours after the horse has left the sta
BILE.
Among the. first symptoms are
staggering Of the hind parts, knuck-
ling at the pasterns, and profuse per-
spiration. In spite of such spasms in
muscles Of the hind parts the horse
attempts to 60 on until he soon falls
helplessly. Usually there are efforts
to rise, but as rule the animal is un-
able to stand even should he regain
his feet, and it becomes necessary to
remove him to the stable on wagon,
sled, or drag.
Horses attacked with azoturia
should be Immediately freed from the
wagon and harness and be provided
with ample straw or other bedding to
protect them from injury incidental
to the struggle to regain their feet.
Especial care must be taken to pre-
vent beating Of the head upon the
ground, and if the patient is very
restless a strong man should place
his knees upon the animals neck and
hold the head firmly upon the ground.
Throw warm blanket over the pros
trate horse and arrange Immediately
for his removal to stable, where a
| commodious and we'll bedded box stall
should be provided, or, if such is not
available, the barn noor or conf
Portable shed can be utilized.
| In the meantime a qualified veteri-
marian should be summoned, azoturia
being disease which requires skillful
treatment and careful nursing. Until
the horse is able to stand it will be
necessary to pass a catheter and draw
the urine at least twice day, and
also, as an item of nursing, to turn
the animal from side to side at fre-
duent intervals, in order to avoid de-
velopment. Of bed sores. Both treat
ment and nursing are best carried out
under direction Of skilled veteri-
marian who is equipped with required
isz'+ruments and can apply treatment
a. IN 7icated in each Individual case.
Na:ous theories have been advanc-
e il explanation Of the true cause
nature of az0turia. A majority
& Investigators, however, are inclined
- the belief that it is an autointoxi-
| ration. The fact that development Of
the disease is favored by rich feeding
and a period Of idleness tends to lend
weight to such hypothesis. For prac
tical purposes, however, it is sufficient
for the owner of good horses to know
that the disease may be prevented
with the greatest certainty by reduc-
ing the ration Of grain when the
horses are not working and by exer-
cising his horses daily.