ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 48, Issue 1, 20 January 1934, Page 64

ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES.

1 i St IN order to ensure reply to questions, correspondents must give their name and address, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Letters should be addressed to the Editor. TREATMENT FOR DISTEMPER IN DOG. W. S. S., Masterton :— About five weeks ago a sheep-dog, aged seven years, fell sick with a sort of pneumonia, discharge of yellowish matter at nostrils, and severe stomach pains. I managed to nurse him through (whatever the illness was), and have been giving him cod-liver oil, but he has developed a “ chattering of the jaws ” when he is asleep as well as awake. He is working all right, but does not seem able to shake off this snapping of the teeth. Could you give . me a remedy ? The Live-stock Division :— Your sheep-dog has been affected with distemper. A sequel to distemper is what is known as chorea, the nervous symptoms of which are characterized by twitching of certain muscles or groups of muscles. In this case the muscles of the jaws are affected and this accounts for the' “chattering ” movements described in your letter. Chorea in dogs does not rapidly respond to treatment. It is advisable not to overwork the dog, to give as much rest as possible, and to provide a dark quiet sleeping-kennel. In addition, the following mixture may be given in doses of one tablespoonful every night for a few weeks. After using one bottle of medicine an interval of a week is advisable before repeating the mixture. The mixture is prepared by adding two drachms of iodide of potassium and two drachms of sodium bromide to an 8 oz. bottle of distilled water. This medicine may be obtained from any chemist. A gradual improvement should be anticipated rather than an immediate cure. • GOOSE-GRASS IN YOUNG PASTURE. G. M., Willowbridge : — In the spring of last year I sowed three bushels of Hawke’s Bay certified mother seed with an oat crop. There is a large amount of goose-grass showing since the ryegrass has come out in ear. How can I eradicate the goose-grass ? Would you advise me to cut it before the seed ripens ? The Fields Division :— In cases in which farmers have reported the presence of goose-grass early, and have taken the advice to graze for the first season instead of endeavouring to save a seed crop, the results have been quite good, and the goose-grass was prevented from running to seed and the next season the crops were almost pure rye-grass. Goose-grass seed can be dressed but of rye-grass and for that reason you may harvest the crop. Some goose-grass seed may fall, but if you keep the field grazed next season you will find very little goose-grass will be in evidence in the future in your pasture.

DIETETIC TROUBLE IN PIGS. J. H. A., Mangatoki:— I am having trouble with some of my pigs. They appear to be unsteady on their feet, and sometimes go down as though they had a big weight on their back, frequently kneeling on the ground. Their food consists of grass, whey, and a little meat-meal. Advice would be appreciated. Note.—The boar was the same when he was young. Would that have anything to do with it ? The Livestock Division :—• Your pigs are apparently affected with a form of rickets bordering on paralysis. Young pigs require more minerals and more protein in their diet than older pigs. It is advisable, therefore, to increase the ration of. meat-meal per head daily, and it is also necessary to see that the pigs have a run on green pasture. In all probability the boar was affected in the same . way when younger. The condition is a dietetic one, an improved food-supply bringing about recovery.