Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1914-11-13
COLD WEATHER
HORSE DISEASE
Horse Owners should Guard Against
Azotusia Which Occurs in weh
Conditioned .snimals in Cold
weather.

Conditioned .snimnIs in Cold
weather
tFrom the Bulletin Of the United
States Department Of Agrlcul-
turo)..
With the approach Of cold weather
the horse owners should guard the
approach Of azoturia which occuro
almost invariably in well condition.
ed animals and claims many victims
during the winter season.
Various local namAs have been
given to the diesease, among which
may be mentioned iumbago. spinal
meningitis, and black water. The
two former terms having been sup
piled owing to the hard and swollen
conditions Of the muscles of the loin
and Group and loss OF control Of the
hind parts commonly observed in
these cases, and the latter name Is
descriptive Of the urine, which is
usually of dark coffee effect.
While the disease may occur at
any season Of the year it is but sell
dom observed during the warm sea-
son OF the Year It usually occurs
among highly fad, well nourished
animals which. though accustomet
to work have remained idle for one
or more days and have not had their
feed rations reduced accordingly.
AS a result shrdlu shrdlu cmfwyp
AS a rule, the animal is usually
attacked suddenly soon after he de-
parts from the stable in apparent
perfect condition. The attack may
occur after five or ten miiiutes driv-
ing, or, in some cases. several hours
after the horse has left the stable.
Among the first symptoms of the
disease are staggering of the hind
parts. knuckling at the pdsgern, and
profuse Precipitation. In spite Of
the spasms of the muscles of the
hind parts the animal attempts TO
go ON until he soon falls helplessly.
Usually there are. efforts to rise but
as rule the animal is unable to
stand should he gain his feet. and 4
becomes necessary to remove him
to the stable on a wagon. sled, or a
drag
Horses attacked with azoturia
should be Immediately freed from
the wagon or harness and provided
with straw to protect them from in
jury 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 strong man
should place his knees upon the an
imars neck and hold the head firmly
upon the ground Throw a warm
blanket over the PROSTATE horse and
arrange Immediately for. his remov-
al to the stable. where commodiou
and well bedded box stall should
provided. or, IL such is not available
the barn floor or comfortable shed
can be utilized.
In the meantime a qualified vet
erinarian should be summoned, az
oturia being disease which requires
skillful treatment and careful nur :
ing. Until the animal is able to
stand it will be. necessar yto pass a
catheter and draw the urine at least
twice a day and also to turn the an
imaI frequently from side to side to
prevent the development Of bed sore.
Both treatment and nursing are best
carried out under,the direction of o
lakilled veterinarian who. is equipped
with the required instruments and
can apply treatment as indicated ip
each Individual case.
Various theories have been ad-
vaneed An explanatioa Of the true
cause and nature OF azoluria. A
majoriay Of The investigators are IA
tclihed to believe however that it Is
an autointoncation. The fact that
the Development Of the disease Is
favored by rich feeding and q per
! lod Of idleness tends to lend weight
TO such Hypothesis. Fer practical
purposes. however It is sufficient d
the owne rof good horses to knnv
that the disease may be prevented