VETERINARY QUERIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 47

VETERINARY QUERIES.

r Answered by a duly qualified Veterinary Surgeon. Queries must be received by SATURDAY night to ensure reply In the succeeding issue.]

R. C. W.—The best time of the year for the castration of colts from two and a-half to three years old i.s either in the spring or autumn. If performed in the winter rime the cold affects the wound and causes swelling, and in the summer time flie.s arc numerous and troublesome. C. P. C. —(1) Horse always rubbing or scratching himself: This affection may be what i.s scientifically known as prurigo, which is an itchy condition of the* skin all over the body, and is one form of surfeit ; or it may be mange, which is a parasitic disease, due to a class of insects called atari, of which there are three kinds that trouble the horse. If it is the latter you will see it by the skin being rough and scaly, and when rubbed much it becomes quite raw, while the hair comes off in patches. It mostly affects the head and neck first, but it spreads rapidly, and may be communicated to other animals by horses rubbing and scratching against posts, trees, fences, etc. For treatment wash the parts affected with hot water and strong soap to remove all scabs and scurf. Then when dry rub well in the following mixture:—Sulphur 4oz, oil of tar 2oz. linseed oil half a pint. If it is prurigo it will he necessary to give a purgative, and when he has finished purging give a tablespoonful of the following in bran mashes night and morning:—Four ounces of Epsom salts. 2oz nitrate ol potash, 4oz linseed meat. Wash him all over with soap and water, and when dry sponge him over with vinegar. Give green food if practicable. (2) Mare and foal which cannot be kept apart: Pend your foal away so far that it cannot hear its mother’s neighing, and keep it in a loosebox or in a secure stockyard for three or four days; then turn it out in company with young coins and fillies about its own ago. In regard to the mare, discontinue the vinegar applications, work her regularly, diaw off a little milk now and again, and it will soon dry up.