Clinical Signs:
When first noticed, the animal may be in a good state of nutrition,
but soon there is loss of condition. The animal becomes somewhat
restless, uneasy and depressed. The patient will almost at any time
eat the abnormal substances already mentioned, lick the clothes of
the attendants and gnaw at the fixed objects to which they may be
attached, such as the manger, partition etc. Later the animal
becomes quite thin and wasted. Animal shows various symptoms of
indigestion, such as intermittent tympany, irregular bowels, and
partially suspended rumination. The faeces become more or less dry
and firm, although occasionally diarrhoeic and offensive in odour.
The mucous membranes become paled and the skin harsh. If untreated
the animal may die from malnutrition and exhaustion, after a varying
period that may extend over months.
Treatment:
For
the purpose of treatment, first change the pasture; if housed,
remove to another shed. Complete change of environment is often
necessary. Then, administer a purgative, and follow with alkalies
and bitter tonics. The following mixture is particularly
serviceable:
Carbonate of iron =
120 g
Finely ground bone meal =
500 g
Powdered gentian (gentiana in Urdu) =
140 g
Common salt =
240 g
Powdered fenugreek (methi in Urdu) =
140 g
These are to be mixed, and a full tablespoonful should be given
three times a day. In addition, it is recommended that three
tablespoonful of powdered charcoal may be mixed with the feed. It is also well to provide the animal with rock
salt in his feeding trough. Successful results are also recorded
from the hypodermic injection of apomorphine daily, for several
consecutive days. To keep the problem away, the farmers should be
advised to supplement the ration with a balanced mineral-vitamin
mixture on regular basis. |