BLACK TOOTH.
Cause.—Black Tooth, so called in swine, is principally due to injuries to the teeth received by chewing hard matter, such as bone, etc., which causes them to decay.
Symptoms.—Toothache. Toothache in swine is similar to that exhibited by man, in showing loss of appetite, salivation, or slobbering, hanging the head mostly to the side which is affected, loss of fear of man, and offensive breath. If the hogs are fed on strongly acid food for any length of time, their teeth may become dark colored. As the teeth are not materially injured, so long as decayed tooth substance cannot be noticed, and while the appetite and chewing facilities of the hog do not appear to be diminished, no interference will be necessary.
It is customary with some people to examine the teeth of hogs, and if one tooth is found darker colored than the others, it is supposed to be the cause of the hog not doing well, if he is in poor condition, and the tooth is hammered off flush with the jaw, leaving the broken roots, lacerated gums and nerves to increase the hog’s suffering. If the hog recovers, it is often concluded that this was a case of Black Tooth.
My advice is, if you are determined to have the tooth out, extract it properly. Do not break it off. When your hogs are not thriving, give them the regulator and tonic prescribed on the first page of this chapter.
BLOOD POISONING.
(Pyemia Septicemia)
Cause.—Due to the toxic substance produced by germs that invade wounds, bruises, abscesses, or womb following farrowing, if lacerated.
Symptoms.—The seat of injury becomes swollen, pus may adhere to the hair, temperature elevated, appetite poor, hog moves about very slowly, becomes separated from the rest of the drove, lies around in some cool, quiet place, eventually becomes very weak and poor and dies, if good attention is not given.
Treatment.—Separate from the other hogs and remove to a clean, comfortable place and wash the seat of injury with some good disinfectant, as a five per cent Carbolic Acid solution. In cases of abscess, open it low so as to assure good drainage. Keep clean, cool water before your hogs at all times. Give mashes made from wheat bran and hot water, or any good substantial food that is easily digested containing regulator and tonic prescribed on the first page of this chapter.