TROUBLE IN HORSES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20171, 4 February 1929, Page 15

TROUBLE IN HORSES.

WHEAT ENGORGEMENT. fSYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT. Advice on the treatment of horses suffering from engorgement of wheat, issued by tho New South Wales Deportment of Agriculture, i s valuable. The trouble usnaly manifests itself as a form of colic, tho intensity of tho pain being unfavourably influenced. by the following factors: — (a) Tho amount of wheat eaten j (b) working the animal directly after it has gorged itsfelf; (c) a predisposition of certain animals to gastric derangements. In mild cases tho symptoms are slight, the animal being dull, with no appetite and sluggish at work. With acuto cases tho pain is severe, causing tho horse to throw itself about and roll on the ground. Tho respiration is rapid, the membranes of tho eyes yellow, and tho abdomen 'will be slightly swollen and tense. Sweating is also common, and if no relief is obtained the patient becomes increasingly dull and stupid, or the pains may be more and more intense until death occurs.

The object of treatment is to remove the impacted mas:3 from the stomach. Experiments have shown -that death is caused by a poison formed by the wheat while in the stomach. To counteract this, therefore, some alkaline substance, such as bicarbonate of soda, is necessary. The animal should be allowed as much water as it likes to drink. The theory that water causes an additional swelling of the wheat, and thus ruptures the stomach, has no basis, since the digestive juices are present in sufficient amount to cause the grain to swell. To hasten tho action of the bowels, saline purgatives are preferable to aloes or linseed oil. First administer bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), 40z.; water, 1 pint. Then follow up with Epsom salts, 4oz. to 8oz.; ground ginger, £oz.; water, 1 pint. Another mixture is common salt, Ito 2ozs.; water, 1 pint. The bicarbonate of soda and water can be repeated in a couple of hours' time, and continued every three hours if deemed necessary. Enemas of large amounts of soapy water injected into the rectum stimulate the movement of the bowels, and thus aid in expelling their contents. In extreme cases of engorgement the above treament may not bo found to bring about much improvement, and a qualified veterinarian should bo called in, if possible since he has at his command certain apparatus and more potent drugs, which are too dangerous to be used by an unskilled man. If a veterinarian is not available the animal might be given chloral" hydrate, l£oz.; water, 1 pint. This counter* acts the spasms, checks fermentations, and thus gives the animal a chance of recovery. Under no circumstances should the horse be permitted to roll, as this frequently results in rupturo of the stomach.

While recovery is taking place, only laxative, soft food should be given until 'the tone of the digestive system is restored. The horse should not bo put to work too soon after an attack. Laminitis or founder is a frequent sequel to engorgement.