The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1914-11-28
Horse Owners Should
Guard Against AzOturid
Utah Agricultural College Week.,
News Letter.

With the approach of cold weather
horse owners should guard against
azoturia which occurs almost lnvari
ably In wcll-condltioned animals and
claims many victims, especially dur
ing he winter season.
Various local names have been Civ.
en- e. this disease. among which may
be mentioned "lumbago," "spinai
mel! ngltis." and BLACK water" The
two former terms have been applied
owing to the hard and swollen con
dillon OF the muscles Of the loini
and Group and the loss OF control OF
the hind parts commonly observed II
these cases. and the latter name H.
descriptive of the urine, which is us
ually of dark coffee color.
While azoturia may occur at any
season OF the year II Is but seldom
observed during the warm weather OF
summer. II usually appears In high.
ly feed. well-nourished animals which
though accustomed to regular work,
have remained idle for one or more
days without IA corresponding reduc-
ton In the rations
AZ a rule the animal is attacked
suddenly soon after leaving the sta.
BILE In apparently perfect condition
The attack may occur after 1--WE OF
ten minutes driving or, in some cases,
several hours after the horse has left
the stable.
Among the first symptoms are
staggering In the hind parts, knuckl-
ing at the pastern, and profuse per-
SEPARATION. In spite of such spasms
In muscles of the hind parts the horse
attempts to go on until he falls help
lessly. Usually there are efforts TO
rise, but as a rule the animal is un-
able to stands even should he regain
his feet. and II becomes necessary to
remove him on wagon. sled or drag.
The animal husbandry department
OF the Utah Agricultural College rec
ommends the following treatment for
this disease; Horses attacked with
axoturia 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, IL the patient is very
restless a strong man should place
his knees upon the animals neck aud
hold the head firmly to the ground
Throw warm blanket over the pros
trate horse and arrange Immediately
for his removal to o stable, where n
commodlous and well-bedded box
stall should be provided. or. II such
Is NOT available. the barn floor or u
comfortable shed can be utilized.
>/ln the mean time qualified yeter-
marian should be summoned. azoturia
being a disease which resulres skill
full treatment and careful nursing.
until the horse Is able TO stand II
viii be necessary TO pass cathetcr
aud draw the urine ut least twice Il
day, and also, as an item of nursing.
to turn the animal from side to side
at frequent intervals. In order to
avoid development of bed sores. Both
treatment and nursing are best car
rled out under the direction OF a
skilled veterinarian who is EQUIPPED
with instruments and can apply treat
ment as indicated in each individual
case
Various theories have been adyanc-
ed In explanation OF the true cause
and nature OF azoturla. A majority
OF investigators. however, are inclin-
ed TO the belief that It is an auton-
toNlcatlon, The fact that development
OF the disease Is favored by rich feed
ing and period of ldleuess tends to
lend weight to such hypothesis. For
practical purposes, however, It is suf-
fcient for the owner OF good horses
to know that the disease may be pre-
vented with the greatest certainty by
reducing the rations OF grain or al
falfa hay when the horses are not
working and by exercising his horses
daily.