CHOKING IN CATTLE

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1676, 13 April 1904, Page 64

CHOKING IN CATTLE

When feeding roots to cattle, as many djo during the winter, choking from the lodgment in the throat of pieces of them too Large to “go down” is 'not am uncommon occurrence.

White generally an easy thing to remedy if the right steps are taken, and tihie treatment given in time, it is aJisio very aipt to terminate fatally if relief is not given.

When an animail 'lras sojnething lodged in its throat the fact is readily known. It stops eating, oougji®, breathes heavily, becomes bleated', and if not relieved will drop down and die of suffocation. If the obect lodged is not far down it can sometimes be reached with the hand —a dlevis put in the mouth . will keep the mouth open. . When the obstruction cannot be reached it is well to try bo work it dowtn with the fingers from the outside.' A pint of linseed oil administered before will help. If the lump still remains immovable it must be forced out. An instrument called the probang is used for tMs purpose, but when one is not at hand a section or garden hose will answer. Oil it well, hold the head straight with the body and pass it slowly down the throat until the obstruction is reached ; then force it into the stomach.

For a day or two after the operation give the animal soft feed:, day. hard feed at this time tending to further irritate the tissues that are already irritated and partly paralysed. Small round potatoes and apples are very apt to cause olioking, and on account of their shape and the fact that

they cloee the windpipe so effectually, will cause death if not removed soon.