Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-01-01
Azoturia, A Cold-Weather Disease
OF Horses.
U. S. Department Of Agriculture

U. S. Department of Agriculture.
With the approach of cold weather hors
owners should guard against azoturia
which occurs almost invariably in well
conditioned animals,and claims many vic
Tins, especially during the winter season.
| Various local names have been given I,
this disease, among which may be men.
| toned "lumbagO, spinal meningitis" anC
BLACK water" The two former terms hav,
been applied owing to the hard and swollen
condition 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 descriptive of the
urine, which is usually of a dark coffee
color.
While azoturia may occur at any season
OF the year it is but seldom observed dur
ing the warm weather of summer, Ii
usually appears in highly fed, well-nour-
ished animals which, though accustomed
to regular work, have remained idle for
one or more days without corresponding
reduction in the rations
AS rule the animal is attacked sud-
denly soon after leaving the stable in ap-
parently perfect condition. The attack
may occur after S or 10 minutes driving
or, in some cases, several hours after the
morse mas lett the stable.
Among the first symptoms are a stag
gering of the hind parts, knuckline at the
pasterns, and profuse perspiration. 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 unable
to stand even should he regain his feet,
and 1t 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 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
a strong man should place his knees upon
the animals neck and hold the head firmly
upon the ground. Throw warm blanket
over the prostrate horse and arrange i'm
mediately for his removal to a stable,
where commodious and well-bedded box
stall should be provided, or, if such is not
available, the barn floor or q comfortable
shed can be utilized.
In the meantime qualified veterina-
rian should be summoned, azoturia being
q 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
frequent intervals, in order to avoid de-
velopment of bed sores. Both treatment
and nursing are best carried out under
direction of a skilled veterinarian who is
equipped with required instruments and
can apply treatment as indicated in each
individual case.
Various theories have been advanced in
explanation of the true cause and nature
OF azOturla. A majority of investigators,
however, are inclined to the belief that it
is an administration. The fact that de-
velopment of the disease is favored by
rich feeding and period of idleness tends
to lend weight to such hypothesis. For
practical purposes, however, 1t is sufficient
for the owner of good horses to know that
the disease may be prevented with the
Greatest certainty by reducing the ration
OF grain when the horses are not working
and by exercising his horses daily.