COLD (SIMPLE CATARRH)
Dangerous, because it may be confused with the early stages of roup
Symptoms. Discharge from the nostrils and the eyes, with occasional fits of sneezing; loss of appetite, and moping.
Cause. Cold and damp. Colds most frequently occur in wet weather and among poorly housed and poorly fed stock.
Treatment. Warm housing and protection from cold and wet. Give quinine—one grain to an adult fowl. Many believe in dosing fowls suffering from colds with red pepper given in the food. When there are signs of stuffiness, the eyes and the nostrils should be washed out once or twice daily. Carbolic acid 2%, or boric acid, about 3%, dissolved in water, is recommended for this purpose. Witch hazel has been found very effective.
Caution. There is a risk of mistaking the early stages of roup for a simple cold. Further, birds are more likely to contract roup when suffering from a cold, and should, on this account, be isolated and regularly examined.
Influenza. The term influenza, or grippe, is generally applied to a severe cold that has no symptoms of roup.
CONSTIPATION
Not common and seldom serious
Symptoms. The bird suffering is dull and listless. Its efforts to evacuate are painful and unsuccessful.
Cause. Internal blocking of the cloaca or the intestines, or, occasionally, of the vent by dirt accumulated on the outside. Want of exercise and lack of green food are held to be contributing causes.
Treatment. If constipation is due to dirt on the outside, cleanse vent by swabbing with warm water. When stoppage is inside and can be felt through the vent syringe with sweet oil. In other cases, give a purgative such as castor oil or Epsom salts. If worms are suspected as the cause, give santonin (see page 9), followed by a teaspoonful of castor oil.