CARE OF SICK ANIMALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18341, 6 March 1923, Page 12

CARE OF SICK ANIMALS.

SKILFUL NURSING NEEDED. In looking after and caring for the sick animal, rays the Farm and Rural Review, it must be borne in mind that the administration of medicine is only of secondary importance. Skilful nursing, careful attention to feeding, and suitable quarters are of much greater importance than medicine to the welfare of the animal. In the past the administration ol strong and dangerous drugs was considered the essential part of the treatment. _ If the animal recovered the credit was given to the medicine, whereas, in nine cases out of ten, the animal recovered in spite of, and not because of, the treatment. Every live stock owner should have on hand a few well-known drugs for use in emergency cases, but to give medicine without any real knowledge of the symptoms or what action may be expected from their use is only inviting trouble, and often ends with disastrous results. Nature has bestowed certain natural powers of recovery upon every animal. T f these natural powers are interfered with, as is very often the case, by the indiscriminate use of drugs, the animal's chances of making a recovery are greatly lessened. The beneficial effect of pure air and abundance of Bunlight, accompanied with proper ventilation, can hardly be over-estimated in tho treatment of the sick animal. The feeding of sick animals is a very important factor towards a successful recovery. The appetite often gives a fair idea as to the progress of the patient; when all food is refused the case must be considered as a serious one. Efforts must be made to tempt the appetite with succulent and appetising foods. Forcing liquid foods on the animal by drenching is both cruel and detrimental to its progress, and often re- • sults in upsetting its digestion and causing it ccmple.tely to refuse any food placed before it which it might have eaten in a natural manner. When an animal shows no inclination to eat, be sure that food is not left in front of him for any length of time, as .t is apt to tnrn sour, and in certain diseases, which are accompanied by discharges, may become contaminated with infectious material. Pure cold watpr , never did a sick animal any harm. It ■ does not matter what disease it is suffer--5 ing from, an abundant, supply of cold water should be at the disposal of the patient. Suitable clothing is of importance; when properly used it can be of great benefit to the animal. An excessive amount of clothing causes fatgue and ! i sweating. Shivering fits, patchy sweats on differi ent parts of the body, and coldness of :.he ( legs are indications for the use of blankets. When the legs feel cold, a condi- . tion which can be easily diagnosed by passing the hand down the limbs, ban- ' dag should be applied; cotton wool should be wrapped around the leg and bandages then put on. Bandages should be removed every day, and the legs well , hand rubbed. This helps to promote cir- , eolation. Where high fever is present b too heavy clothing should be avoided. 4 Undipped horses have not the same need lot clothing as clipped horses.