FARM AND DAIRY

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9211, 23 April 1938, Page 4

FARM AND DAIRY

CARING FOR STOCK DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT. KNOWLEDGE OF TEMPERATURES Stock owners arc frequently required to diagnose and treat sick animate, and, from their constant, observation of stock in good health, are quick to notice any abnormal behaviour due to sickness. A knowledge of the normal temperatures, pulse and respiration rates of various animals is most valuable in arriving at a correct diagnosis of the trouble. The temperature of all young animals is somewhat higher than that of older animals, and various influences—such as periods of oestrum (heat), time of day, external temperature, and so on —may alter the temperature of the mature animal. The temperatures of healthy farm animals are: Horse, 09.5-101 degrees; cow, 100-101 degrees; sheep, 103 degrees; pig, 102.5 degrees. The temperature of an animal is usually measured in the rectum, and a self-registering thermometer, such, as is commonly used in ordinary medical or nursing practice may be used. Care should be taken to see that the column of mercury is shaken down. A small quantity of vaseline smeared on the bulb as a lubricant to assist the passage of the instrument ■:■ desirable, and it is inserted with ,i circular motion between the lingers dnvard in a line with the backbone, ind allowed to remain for a few minutes before it. is withdrawn carefully and the reading taken. DANGER POINTS. If the temperature of an animal is found to be about 2.5 degrees above normal, it is said to have a low fever; if it reaches the vicinity of 4 degrees above normal a moderate fever is indicated, and if in the neighbourhood of t! degrees above normal it has a high fever. In .some cases, such as tetanus and sunstroke, the temperature may be as much as 10 degrees above normal. Having decided by use of .the thermometer whether the sickness is of a febrile (pertaining to fever) or sunfebrile nature, treatment and nursing must be considered.

Good nursing is of the utmost importance. The patient should be provided with a soft bed, shade from sun, wind, or rain, and a rug in cold weather. A supply of water and green feed should also be provided if possible.

Medicines are usually administered by the mouth in the form of a drench, and it is necessary to use care and patience when using this method. The head of the animal should not be raised above a horizontal position, and only small quantities of the drench poured into the mouth at a time, allowing time for swallowing. Pinching the throat to induce swallowing should not be practised, and the headshould be lowered if the patient commences to cough. NEW SHEEP CROSS. The experiment of crossing a New Zealand Corriedale ram with a Dorset Horn ewe is being made by Sir Fredcrick Akroyd in England. The Dorset Horn is particularly valuable owing hi its ctipacity to breed at any time ; ni' the year, thus providing a source for mit-of-scason lamb. By crossing it with Corriedale it is hoped to improve the breed's wool-bearing properties and still maintain this breed characteristic which is common also to the Merino ancestor of the Corriedale. The ram was purchased by Sir Frederick from a Scottish farmer who obtained a number of Corriedales after Hie Empire Exhibition at Wembley. 'Phis information is of particular interest in view of the recent im- ! port at ion of Dorset Horn ewes to this nonunion. I