Veterinary Notes for the Farmer

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 63, Issue 3, 15 September 1941, Page 231

Veterinary Notes for the Farmer

Lamb Losses at Marking Time

LAMB losses at marking time may be due to several causes, some of which are preventible, while a few lambs may be lost after all care has been taken. ’ Losses may result from haemorrhage, from mis-mothering, or from infection of wounds by a variety of germs. In . the last-named case lambs may die from infection by the invasion of the wound by the tetanus germ, or by the germ, causing , blood poisoning. Other germs may invade the wounds, and, although not causing death, may result in causing lameness, involving the joints in what is known as arthritis. A certain amount of loss of condition results. The lamb receives a distinct check, and although it eventually recovers, the joints may remain permanently enlarged, even when the lamb is fattened and slaughtered. The operations involved at marking time are therefore of some importance, and require to be given consider-

able thought if : all loss is to be reduced to a minimum.

Primary Precautions

In the first place, it is important to check the site of the yard or temporary enclosure in which the. marking operations are to be carried out. ' Old yards used permanently for the purpose are somewhat dangerous as sources of infection. The best procedure is to enclose an area in the corner of the paddock by using hurdles and netting wire, selecting a fresh site each year. All knives and instruments used should be sterilised by boiling before use. When the instruments are not being used, such as between operations, they should be returned to a vessel containing a reliable antiseptic solution. The hands and finger-nails of the operator should be clean.

As soon as the operation has been completed the lamb may be returned to the paddock, where it should be placed on its feet to prevent the infection of the wounds by soil organisms. The risk of loss from mis-mother-ing should be considerably reduced if each paddock is dealt with separately, as the mob is much smaller than if all sheep are concentrated at a central or permanent yard. ' Loss of lambs from bleeding following the operation of marking depends to a large extent on the methods used for castrating and tailing. There are many safeguards available nowadays to prevent excessive bleeding, following operation. There are several castrators and tailers on the market, all designed to prevent excessive bleeding from the castration and tailing wounds. In addition, some owners use the hot iron for tailing and in this way bleeding from the tail is controlled.

The Burdizzo method of castration is also used with a view to preventing infection and bleeding. Where castration and tailing are carried out by using the knife, it is important to guard against infection by observing cleanliness during the operations. A common extra precaution is to apply an antiseptic lotion to the wounds before the lamb is released. If these precautions are not observed, together with the use of temporary clean grassy enclosures, infection of the wounds may follow.

Arthritis

The first symptom of infection following marking is the development of lameness in a number of lambs. > When the lambs are caught and closely examined a certain amount of swelling of joints is noticeable, and the wounds are frequently covered with a scab, underneath which is found pus in varying amount. Occasionally the lamb dies following infection, when small abscesses are found in such internal organs as the liver and kidneys. As a rule, however, the lameness gradually disappears, the swelling in the joints subsides, and an apparent recovery takes place. The lamb receives a severe check, however, and on slaughter may be found with one or more enlarged joints.

In the case of infection with other organisms causing blood poisoning, the deaths occur, suddenly. The site of operation quickly turns black and gassy, and such animals quickly undergo putrefaction following death. Lockjaw or tetanus infection is caused by the entrance of the soil germ, known as the tetanus bacillus. This organism more frequently shows up during the healing stage of the wounds, when the infection lies locked up in the wound underneath the scab. Frequently there is very little pus, if any,

found in such cases. Affected lambs first develop a stiffness in movement and later lie down and are. unable to move or suck. During the late stages before death supervenes, the lambs are frequently twisted or distorted due to the tetanic spasms bringing on irregular contraction of certain groups of muscles. Tetanus infection is more likely to be seen on farms where a certain amount of cropping is carried on. It is more rarely seen on purely grazing properties.

Paralysis in the Cow After Calving

PARALYSIS in the dairy cow after calving is quite commonly seen from time to time. Paralysis is regarded more as a symptom of disease, although quite frequently paralysis by itself is regarded as a disease or diseased condition. It is rare, however, to find paralysis not associated with some other disease or set of circumstances in which paralysis is a common or expected complication. Thus, paralysis may be associated with an accident in which the spine or backbone is involved. Paralysis is

seen as a complication of the syndrome known as milk-fever, especially when the animal is in the comatose stage. It may be seen as a sequel to milkfever, in which case the animal recovers consciousness and to all intents and purposes is normal in many respects, but is unable to get up and move about. It is frequently seen in animals in low condition due to sheer debility and weakness following upon a period of feed shortage and exposure to severe weather. A partial paralysis or inco-ordination of movement is seen in many cases of poisoning, in cases of grass tetany or grass staggers, in paspalum staggers, or in numerous cases coming under the heading of malnutrition in young growing animals.

Treatment

Where paralysis develops in the dairy cow after calving without any complications, the following, line of treatment may be carried out. Any complications must first be dealt with in order to expedite and assist recovery. The paralysed animal should be kept dry and warm. If possible, remove it to a dry, warm shed, even though a sledge or large door is required for the removal. Plenty of straw bedding should be provided to prevent bed sores and to enable the animal to be turned from side to side at regular intervals. A laxative diet should be given, and may include green feed or bran mashes. Forced feeding is not desirable unless the animal is very weak or emaciated, when various easily-digested but nourishing gruels may be given in this way. It is a common practice to apply a blister or liniment to the loins and back. If a mustard paste is used it

should be well rubbed in for several minutes; the animal is then covered and kept warm and free from draughts. Stimulants of various types are frequently prescribed. A common mixture is that prepared by mixing |oz. of carbonate of ammonia with £- oz. of powdered nux vomica and dissolving the powder in a pint of cold water. This drench may be given twice daily for several days or until recovery takes place. In all cases it is advisable to consult your veterinary surgeon and have the animal thoroughly examined. There may be hidden injuries or fractures of bones accounting for the conditions which are not apparent to the ordinary observer. Frequently, such injuries occur at calving time, due to difficult calving, large foetus, narrow pelvis, mal-presentations of various types, or unseen injuries. Good nursing, is a first essential in the treatment of uncomplicated cases of paralysis, and this applies to all classes of animals.

Answers to Correspondents

Worms in Stock

K.S. (AUCKLAND):— In a publication entitled “Internal Parasites of Sheep and Calves and Their Treatment,” the writer mentions using a 2 per cent, solution of CuSO4 and nicotine sulphate and a 5 per cent, one. Is it safe to use a 5 per cent, solution for the 8- to 12-month-old lambs? I give 1 oz. of the 2 per cent, solution. Would 10 ccs. of the stronger mixture have any injurious effect, especially as the nicotine portion is more or less powerful? If you could let me know I’d be very much obliged. It seems to me that the stronger the actual dose, the bigger chance of killing the worms this so?

LIVESTOCK DIVISION:—

It is quite safe to use the 5 per cent, solution provided the warning given in . the bulletin is also observed—is, where lambs are weak draft them off and give them the next dose lower down according to age and repeat in

10 days; otherwise with a full dose they may die. The reduction in the total amount of the dose is not made with the idea of increasing its strength, but with a view to convenience as regards dosing. No matter what strength solution is given by mouth, it is rapidly diluted by the fluids present in . the stomach and bowels; consequently the concentrated action does not take place.

Ailment of Cow's Stomach

L.S. (AUCKLAND):— I have just lost a pedigree Jersey heifer 11 months old. When we opened her up, two stomachs were empty; one of the left side was full of soft food and fibre, etc., and the other up on the right side was packed tight with slabs of dryish material like fibro-plaster between the partitions. She has been eating hay lately, so we presume that was the trouble, and probably not drinking enough water with it. She was passing nothing except mucous tinged with blood.

We were told she had a chill, , and dosed her with salts, lime water, raw eggs, whole i milk, etc., to keep her strength up, but of no avail. She had about 12 quart bottles a day. Is there any cure for this condition? The calf’s stomach was as hard as a football and packed ; tight. We lost a yearling. two years ago which had had a lot of hay in winter. til.— 4U—UH—llli—UH—Uli—UH-UH—llli—UH

She lingered on until ,February. Would this be the same trouble possibly? LIVESTOCK. DIVISION:— The \ third stomach which you describe as containing dry material is always of a much firmer consistency and its contents drier than any. of the other stomachs. In the case you refer to, however, this dryness seems to have been excessive. . ■ The third stomach is under different nerve control from the others, and does not respond to dosing with the ordinary purgatives; stimulating treatment is necessary to restore its functions. A drench made up as follows should be given in cold water every fourth hour: — i ounce of carbonate of ammonia. J dram of powdered nux vomica. / No gruels, milk, etc., should be given as drenches; hay tea should be given in their place.

If no response is obtained to treatment after two days, then two pints of liquid paraffin Should be given as a drench and ■ the stimulant treatment continued. z This stomach rarely becomes affected in the first instance. Its derangement usually results from the cessation of the normal movements of the first and second stomachs due to disease or unsuitable feeding.

Skin Irritation in a Horse

F.W. (WARKWORTH):— A valuable draught mare, aged, in good condition, seems to be getting . affected with some skin sores. Up to quite recently her coat of hair was shiny and sleek, but now pretty well all over the head from the nose up there are patches of hair coming off clean from the skin, and, apart from a watery appearance, shows no discharge. I notice . she spends a lot of time rubbing on posts, etc., as if irritated with some itchiness. I do not really know whether these patches are actually ~rubbed off as they form or not, but when first I noticed the fresh ones they just seemed as if they had been shaved off, and sort of watery skin was left. So far only the head is affected, much disfiguring the appearance. I was wondering whether there would be some external treatment, or, if internal, could I mix the remedy with some feed, chaff, or bran. The horse has been running, on short but fresh grass all the winter, and has had access to plenty of fairly good quality

hay, but- has never been on hard feed, and is also rugged. What do you consider the best treatment for cattle tick on horses? As I live in badly-infested areas, they are very severe on horses later in the year. LIVESTOCK DIVISION:— The condition affecting the mare’s head is most likely due . to digestive disorders. The mare should be given a bran mash for two nights in succession, and then given a drench of loz. of barbados aloes in 2 , pints of hot water. As a local application the following may be used every third day: — Flowers of sulphur Boz. Rectified oil of ■ tar 4oz. Linseed oil 1 pint. , Lime water 1 pint. The best. method of dealing with, cattle tick on horses is to spray as required with a reliable cattle tick dip.

Advisory Service on Veterinary Matters. Farmers are invited to submit inquiries connected with the health of their stock, and the > replies will be published under this heading. niffCinTD m ■ I im—an—tin—uu—uu—mi—uu—-mi—iiu-uu—