RED WATER.
(Hematuria)
Cause.—Marshy pastures, water from rich decomposed soil. Vegetation also has a tendency to produce it as cattle eating green shoots from oak, ash, hellebore, hazel and other resinous plants, etc.
Symptoms.—Bloody urine containing no blood clots. This condition is not noticed as a general rule until the cow loses flesh and the production of milk is considerably decreased. One particular symptom of this disease is the milk being exceptionally foamy and perhaps tinged with blood. If the disease is left to run its course, the cow will become emaciated and eventually dies.
Treatment.—Find out the cause and remove it if possible. See that the water supply is clean, feed nitrogenous food, as wheat bran mashes or steamed rolled oats. Do not permit the animal to eat resinous plants as stated above.
Administer Pulv. Gentian Root, four ounces; Pulv. Nux Vomica, four ounces; Pulv. Ferri Sulphate, four ounces. Mix and make into sixteen capsules and give one capsule two or three times a day with capsule gun. If the animal is constipated, give two drams of Aloin, three drams of Ginger. Place in capsule and give with capsule gun.
RETAINED AFTERBIRTH.
Cause.—Retained afterbirth may follow normal or abnormal calving where there has been more or less inflammation of the womb prior to giving birth, which causes the afterbirth to adhere firmly to its attachments. Cows in poor condition fed on poor food during cold weather are very susceptible to this accident; also very common in aged cows.
Symptoms.—Very easily detected by portions of the membranes (afterbirth) protruding from the Womb or Vulva, which becomes decomposed very shortly and offensive in odor. This accident is very serious when absorption is produced, ill health, drying up of the milk in addition to producing inflammation of the womb, Whites, etc. It may produce blood-poisoning and chances are you will lose your animal.
Prevention.—Very important. Feed the cow on food that is easily digested and supply her with fresh water to drink that is not too cold. Flaxseed Tea is very beneficial if given a day or so prior to calving and is prepared by pouring a quart of boiling hot water on one-half pint of Flaxseed, permitting it to cool of its own accord. Then compel the animal to drink it. This appears to have a very good effect on separating the afterbirth from the mushroom-like bodies of the womb to which it is attached.