Symptoms.—Sometimes there is lameness when the Thoroughpin is first noticed, but it will gradually disappear as soon as the inflammation ceases. There will be a puffy, soft enlargement which occurs at the upper and back part of the hock, beneath the great tendons. Generally both sides are enlarged and puffy, but occasionally it happens that one side only is involved. Thoroughpin is also a forerunner of Bog Spavin, as they generally are connected; as you are aware the hock contains joint oil as all other joints do, retained in place by a thin, white fibrous membrane. Irritation of the hock joint tends to develop an extra large quantity of joint oil, and the hock is less protected by tendons where a Thoroughpin or Bog Spavin occurs—hence those puffy swellings are filled with joint oil and are connected. If you press on one side of a Thoroughpin, you will see the other side bulge out. If you press on a Bog Spavin and there is a Thoroughpin present, you will see it bulge on either side of the Thoroughpin—or vice versa.
Treatment.—If on an old horse and the Thoroughpin is of long standing, treatment is unsatisfactory, but on the other hand, if the animal is young it can be successfully treated with Tincture of Iodine, one ounce; Gum Camphor, two ounces; Gasolene, one pint. Mix well and rub in with nail or tooth brush twice a week. Keep the animal quiet as possible, as the results will be accomplished much sooner. Never attempt to open or lance a puffy swelling about a joint, as it contains joint oil. The result would be an open joint.
THRUSH.
Cause.—The two main causes of Thrush are lack of pressure on the frog and the decomposing effect of filth and fermentation of organic matter which accumulates in the cleft of the frog.
Symptoms.—The animal in some cases is lame; there will be a swelling accompanied by a very fetid discharge; in some cases the frog has practically rotted away; there will be more or less inflammation in the foot. The legs may even swell. Thrush is more frequently found in the hind feet because of the manure and filth with which they must come in contact.
Treatment.—Cut away all loose pieces of horn from over the frog and apply a Flaxseed meal poultice and leave it on for twenty-four hours, after which wash well with Soap and warm water. Then apply Calomel to the groove in the frog. Keep the foot clean. Do not allow the animal to stand in filth.
WIND COLIC.
(Flatulent Colic)
Cause.—This dangerous form of Colic is a distension of the bowels with gas, resulting generally from the decomposition of undigested food in the bowels. It sometimes follows Spasmodic Colic, in which there is first spasms due to the irritations set up by the presence of undigested matter, and subsequently this food decomposes and forms gas. I may conclude that Flatulent or Wind Colic is usually caused by errors in feeding and watering horses. Perhaps the animal has been given large quantities of rank grass, watery roots, which on account of its moist nature is quickly swallowed without being properly masticated.
Symptoms.—The signs resemble those of Spasmodic Colic, except that they are less violent. In most cases there is general accumulation of gas, the abdomen distended to a considerable size before the animal shows signs of uneasiness. In cases where the animal swells on the right side, it is the large intestines filled with gas. In other cases where both sides are equally swollen, the stomach and small intestines contain gas. The horse’s back will have an arched appearance, passing gas from the anus frequently, and the horse will make attempts to vomit. In some cases actual vomiting takes place. This is a bad sign, as rupture of the stomach usually occurs at this stage.