Veterinary Notes for the Farmer

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 63, Issue 5, 15 November 1941, Page 421

Veterinary Notes for the Farmer

Proper Housing and Feeding of Dogs Will Prevent the Spread of Hydatids

Contributed by the

LIVESTOCK DIVISION.

NO apology is offered for again discussing the important part played by the sheep dog in his relationship to sheep farming in this country. The value of the sheep dog in the management and handling of the sheep flocks has been fully recognised, and sheep dog trial associations and other kindred bodies have demonstrated to the public the wonderful work which the dog is capable of doing in the interests of his owner. It is not too much to ask, then, that such dogs should be adequately fed and looked after at all times. Each animal is not necessarily a trial dog, but each animal, if properly cared for. and trained, will respond by giving useful service in return. . '

One feature of the close association of the dog, with livestock is the ready means thus provided for the propagation and spread of the notorious hydatid disease in animals and man. The dog is the distributor of this disease, and the country dog is . more troublesome in this . respect than the city dog. This position should not obtain if the country dog’s movements and feeding were under proper control, and means has already been provided for the removal of the disease worms from dogs. All owners are supplied wtih a reliable remedy to be used for dosing dogs to remove the worms responsible for hydatid disease. Every owner should see that his dogs are dosed at regular intervals, and should insist that all shepherds’ dogs on the farm are also treated. - If.the dog’s food is then under control, the risk of hydatid disease in farm animals and farmers themselves is in. like measure reduced.

Apathy of Public

The fact that a marked reduction in the incidence of hydatid disease in animals and man has not ■ taken place since the introduction of the worm remedy is . a direct' reflection on the apathy of the, dog-owning public in country districts. The time has , arrived

■ iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinaiiaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiii). when an improvement in the incidence of hydatid disease in , all lambs and younger animals going - forward for slaughter should be apparent. The following notes on the treatment of the sheep dog in regard to housing, feeding, and the prevention of the spread of hydatid disease have been repeated in the hope that more owners will endeavour to rid all dogs on the property from worms, and thereafter endeavour to keep the dogs free from such serious disease-producing parasites. It is in the interests of the farmer, his family, his livestock, and his dogs.

In a country which excels in many other aspects of public health it is a serious reflection to think that New Zealand holds such a notorious position in regard to the incidence of hydatid disease in man and animals. Housing The ideal housing is a dry and wellventilated kennel, free from draughts, which can be easily cleaned out at intervals. The addition of a small yard will eliminate' the necessity of keeping the dog on a length of chain for long periods, which is not beneficial to the dog’s health. Short of the above, much can be done to ensure the dog being reasonably warm, dry, and comfortable. Kennels can, for instance, be made easily movable, and sites should be changed at frequent intervals. Surroundings should be sheltered, sunny

in winter and clean, and drinking water should always be available. Feeding The working dog must be adequately fed. The common practice is to kill for “dog-tucker” at suitable intervals. Under the Meat Regulations, 1940, it is an offence to give dogs raw livers or cause them to be fed with any diseased meat or offal in view of the grave menace to human health from hydatids. The meat is apt to become somewhat high during summer unless a large number of dogs are kept on the place. Furthermore, it has been proved that ; an exclusive diet of flesh for the working dog does not give as good results as a mixed diet containing a proportion of starchy foods. Some bones must be provided, as they are essential to the proper functioning of the dog’s digestive processes. Rabbit and poultry bones are, however, not suitable, as they are hard, dense, and splintery, and can cause laceration of the gut, or may accumu- , late in the gut into dense, compact obstructions.

It is suggested that a more suitable and simple method of feeding is by the use of meat-meal, such as is fed to pigs, combined with a proportion of household scraps and bones, the last being essential for the dog’s good health. In one instance which came under notice, working dogs have been kept in excellent order for a number of years on:— ■ , 10 to 12 ounces of meat-meal daily, made into a thin soup, with skim-milk and with a proportion of household scraps and bones added. The meat-meal costs 12s. per cwt. On other places, a proportion of pollard mixed with meat-meal has given good results. It is stated that dogs so fed have far less tendency to wander when let off the chain or to interfere with dead carcasses. Before leaving the subject of the feeding and housing of the farm dog, it is earnestly desired to suggest that “the labourer is worthy of his hire,” and the great services rendered to his owner by the sheep dog are worthy of comfortable kenneling and good feeding. In particular, the practice of

allowing sheep dogs off the chain daily to feed on the nearest dead carcass is not wise. The dog is not naturally a feeder on carrion, in which he differs from the jackal and the hyaena, and sheep dogs which are allowed to feed > i on dead carcasses run a grave risk of sooner ) or later becoming sheepworriers. Health The farm, dog which is allowed to feed on hydatid-infested offal or carcasses is a grave menace to human health. Meat-meal, whether used continuously, as above, or as a supplement to specially-killed carcasses, will prevent this, in conjunction with the arecoline dose issued with the dog license and administered quarterly. , This dosing also eliminates the large tapeworm of the dog, if present, which definitely affects canine health. Economically increased returns will result from no carcasses or offals being condemned at the works for hydatid infestation.

A Method of Castrating Pigs When Assistance is Not Available

METHODS commonly employed in castrating pigs usually require two men to perform the operation. Some farmers adopt the same method as is used in similarly operating on ram lambs, while others employ various other methods, such as holding the pig in a trough or flat on the

ground. The, accompanying photographs illustrate a much easier and quicker method by which the operation can be performed by one man alone. In these days of labour shortage, when many farms are being carried on single-handed, it is a great advantage not to have to call on extra assistance for this job. There is also a definite saving in the amount of . time required to complete this task. It is within the scope of any man to perform the operation in one minute, and, therefore, once the sow has been separated from the litter and the litter is enclosed in a small pen, the whole job takes as many minutes as there are boars in the pen. Another important advantage is that by holding the pig with its head downwards, as is shown in the photograph, the weight of the abdominal contents is towards the chest cavity, and, consequently no weight at all is upon the scrotum This is a very decided . gain when dealing with ruptured pigs. As with other methods of castration, it is important that strict cleanliness be observed in carrying out the operation. When this method is adopted it is very necessary to ensure that the incision is made at the lowest part of the scrotal sac in order to prevent pockets where blood and pus may accumulate. Strict cleanliness, free drainage to the wounds, the absence of pocket?, and an adequate incision are all essential factors in preventing pus formation and in eliminating the risk of abscesses in the scrotal sac.

Answers to Correspondents

After-calving Douche.

W.M. (HAVELOCK)

Will you please advise me what your Department recommends as an aftercalving douche for dairy cows? For years past I have successfully used a

proprietary disinfectant for irrigating cows, but am now unable to procure it. I may say that while using it practically all cows proved in calf at first service, while last season, when no precaution was taken as regards irrigation,

the majority failed to do so, some even at the second service, hence this inquiry. - z LIVESTOCK DIVISION:— Permanganate of potash (Condys) and salt may be used. Make a strong solution by dissolving a dessertspoonful of Condys crystals in a pint bottle of clean water, which is kept as a stock solution. For a douche add just enough of the strong solution to a gallon of warm water to colour it a pale pink (probably a dessertspoonful) and a teaspoonful of salt. , \ It is by no means certain that the .failure to douche cows last season was the cause of cows being more difficult to get in calf, as this might have been due to seasonal conditions, or to. deterioration of bull, or perhaps to change of bull. Where cows calve and clean ■'■.< > . . . . normally, the practice of douching after calving is not desirable;.

Blood Scours in Calves.

A.F.M. (MARTON):— Would you please give me advice concerning, the following: — . (1) For several seasons I have had great difficulty in rearing calves be-

cause of blood scours. They are quite all right -until-they . start to eat/grass, that is, about two weeks after birth, and then the trouble starts. I always tie a calf affected with blood scours up so that it cannot wander about and graze until the trouble has been overcome, but in many cases the hemorrhage is so severe that the calf dies. •<».—— 411—Illi —llli —llli——llli—llli Illi —llli Illi HU—HB«t>

♦ !!■—BO irnr-MK ~ OK UM— —HH-—HW— —UH——Illi——nil——rtll —Kit—UH— I can find nothing wrong with the paddock, and a gorse hedge, the flowers of which I thought they might be sucking, was fenced off, but the trouble still persists. (2) I have two heifers I cannot get in calf. They had the first calf in normal fashion, but since have failed , to hold to the bull. Each time they come in season there is a rather abundant show of blood. I have kept them away from the bull during the winter

months, and intend to put them again with the bull shortly. Is there any pro- ; spect of getting them in calf? LIVESTOCK DIVISION:— *- (1) Calves with blood scour.. This may be due ; to a parasitic infection (cqccidiosis) or to a type of dysentery caused by irritation from food or bacterial infection. Coccidiosis' appears to be a likely cause, except that it would be unusual in calves quite so young. I should be very glad if you could arrange to send a small sample of the droppings actually containing blood clots, etc., in a small glass jar or tin, well packed, to the Superintendent, Animal Re- ■ search Station, Wallaceville, asking him to examine for coccidia. If these are present it would be advisable for you to give up your-present yard or paddock completely for a season to allow the disease to die out. In any case, this might be a wise step. For treatment of affected calves you might try small (half-teaspoonful) doses of sulphate of iron, dissolved in 4oz. of water, with a. dessertspoonful of vegetable turpentine, shaken up with about 6oz. of milk, as a drench. Give once a day for two or three» days.

For prevention, keep .calves in cleanest and driest available. conditions, feed regularly, measured amounts, add a cupful of lime water to each feed for three weeks about susceptible age. (2) Heifers failing to breed. It is reasonable to expect that after a season’s spell these heifers will now breed normally. The / blood discharge does not necessarily indicate any disease of the organs.

Black Pox in Cows

A.M.L. (WANGANUI):— This week, I received a letter from my son, who is share-milking for me, that about 12 cows have recently become infected with what he says is “black pock.” He says the trouble commences with tiny, sores about the size of a pin-head, and , that these sores gradually grow and grow. He did not know what the trouble was, and put ; Condy’s crystals in the washing water and milked the infected cows separately. Later, he sent for a proprietary treatment, but before it arrived one cow, he said, had the trouble through her system and died. I shall be grateful if you will give your opinion and advice on this trouble. The farm is one of 150 acres,

easy " hilly land, near Wellsford. North Auckland, and about, 50 cows are at present, being, milked. LIVESTOCK DIVISION:— . Black pox is caused by an infection with a dirt or soil organism and, once established, is difficult to eradicate. It is most important to milk the affected animals last,' or, better still, to have them milked by someone not engaged in the general milking. The following preparations ■ have given good results: — (1) 3 per cent, solution of salicylic acid in glycerine. ■ (2) Salicylic acid, 2 drams; ’ benzoic acid, 1 dram; lanoline., 6-drams; petrolatum, loz. Applications should be made after each milking. . , A common seat for this disease is the point of the teat, over which a hard

black scab develops, making milking difficult if not impossible. The ointment referred to above will soften this scab. The use of a teat siphon is strongly condemned, as it will almost certainly produce mammitis. This may possibly have caused 1 the death of the cow mentioned in your letter. In some cases where the teats are badly affected and milking is painful,, a piece of the inner tube of a bicycle stretched over the teat is helpful. .

Radio Broadcasts

r T~’HE following programme of radio THE following programme of radio broadcasts for farmers will be given under the auspices of the National Pig Industry Council during. December: 4YA, December 8, 7.15 —Subject not decided. Mr. N. Macdonald, Otago and Southland District 'Pig Council. 2YH Napier, December 11,. 7.30 p.m. — “Common Ailments of Pigs and their Treatment,” by N. Owtram, Tairawhiti District Pig Council. IYA, December 18, 7.15 p.m.— Breeding the relationship between the Pedigree Breeder and the Commercial Producer.” by C. P. 'Harington, Waikato District Pig Council.

Cows "Blown" on Red Clover

F.B. (SOUTH CANTERBURY):— -5 (1) What is the correct treatment for a cow “blown” on red clover? / In regard to this: (2) Is washing soda better than baking soda, and what quantities? (3) Is a clover paddock less dangerous the first year after being sown than in the following years? (4) Would grazing sheep with cows be an advantage?

LIVESTOCK DIVISION:—

(1) When a cow becomes “blown” on clover the condition is the result of the rapid fermentation of the' clover in the cow’s rumen; Large amounts of gas, chiefly carbon dioxide and marsh gas, are produced and cannot escape by the normal processes. Treatment naturally lies in assisting the escape of the gas and preventing further fermentation. It is frequently found that by putting a gag in the cow’s mouth the expulsion of gas is greatly assisted. The

simplest gag is a piece of stick placed in the mouth and tied behind the horns or pole. This method is generally effective. ; x ■■*•.. • • . ■ At the same time, it is advisable to give the cow a drench of 2oz. of oil of turpentine (not mineral turpentine) in a pint and a half of linseed oil. . The turpentine, aids in the expulsion of gas, and the oil acts as a purgative and rids the system of the toxic products of fermentation. As an alternative treatment bicarbonate of soda in half to loz. doses may be given in water every two to four hours. (2) With reference to the relative merits of washing soda (carbonate of soda) and baking soda ((bicarbonate of soda), these differ only in the degree of their action, and in consequence of the tendency of the carbonate to irritate, the bicarbonate is almost invariably prescribed. If the carbonate

. is used, the dose rate is half . that of the bicarbonate as stated above. (3) The danger of “blowing” on clover seems to depend more on the climatic conditions than on the age of the pasture. Cows should not be turned on the clover early in the morning when it is heavy with dew or after rain. When there is a danger of “blowing” the cows should be grazed on the clover for short periods and then only after they have been on other pastures, as empty cows turned

on to succulent clover will gorge themselves, frequently with disastrous results. (4) It is unlikely that any advantage would be gained from grazing sheep with cattle, as sheep would graze part of the area too short for cattle to touch, and the area which the cattle could graze would have its ' normal effect on them. I can see no short-cut to prevention in this method. <

By

G. R. MACKINTOSH.

Inspector of Stock, Taumarunui.

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.