The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1914-11-13
AzOTURIA, COLD WEATHER
DISEASE OF HORSES
Usually Kills Well Kept and We'll Fed
AnimaIs-SymptOmS Described


every winter that we have decided to
reprint for the benefit of owners as we'll
as the suffering animal the following
bulletin from a recent number OF the
Washington Agricultural News Letter.
Owners will know from the symptoms
here described whether their animals
are afflicted with azoturia.
With the approach of cold weather
horse owners should guard against
azoturia, which occurs almost invariably
in aforementioned animals and claims
many victims, especially during the
winter season.
Various local names have been given
to this disease, among which may be
mentioned "lumbago," spinal men
ingitis," and BLACK water" The two
former terms have been applied to the
hard and swollen condition Of the
muscles of the loins and Group and the
loss OF control of the hind parts COM
monty observed in these cases, and the
latter name is descriptive of the urine,
which is usually of dark coffee color.
While azoturia may occur at any sea-
son OF the year it is but seldom OBJ
served during the warm weather of
summer. 1t usually appears in highly
fed, we'll nourished animals which,
though accustomed to regular work,
have remained idle for one or more
days without corresponding reduction
in the rations.
AS a rule the animal is attacked sud-
denly soon after leaving the stable in
apparently perfect condition. The at
tack may occur after 5 or 10 minutes
driving or, in some cases, several hours
after the horse has left the stable.
Among the first symptoms are a
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 at
tempts to go on until he soon falls
helplessly. Usually there are efforts to
rise, but as a rule the animal is unable
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 prevent beating of
the head upon the ground, and if the
patient is very restless S strong man
should place his knees upon the
animals neck and hold the head firmly
uwon the ground. Throw warm
blanket over the PROSTATE horse and
arrange Immediately for his removal to
stable, where commodious and we'll
bedded box stall should be provided,
or, if such is not available, the barn
floor or comfortable shed can be
utilized.
In the meantime qualified veterin-
arian 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 catheter and draw
the urine at least twice day, and also,
as an item of nursing, to turn the ami
NAL from side to side at frequent inter
walls, in order to avoid development of
bed sores. Both treatment and nurs-
ing are best carried out under direction
of a skilled veterinarian who is equipped
with required instruments and can ap-
ply treatment as indicated in each in
dividual case.
Various theories have been advanced
in explanation Of the true cause and
nature OF azoturia. A majority Of in
vestigators. however, are inclined to
believe that it is an autointoxication.
The fact that development of the dis
ease is favored by rich feeding and a
period of idleness tends to lend weight
to such hypothesis. For practical pur-
poses, however, it is sufficient for the
owner Of good horses to know that the
disease may be prevented with the
greatest certainty by reducing the ration