Treatment.—The parts should be well washed with tepid water, and Veterinary Oil applied. A.A., should also be given internally, two or three times a day; in some cases, alternated with I.I.
Garget—Inflammation of the Udder
Garget is a disease which prevails amongst ewes during the lambing season. It arises generally from the action of cold and wet upon the udder. Lying with the udder in contact with the cold, wet ground will produce garget; also prevalence of wet and easterly winds.
The udder swells considerably, is excessively tender, and speedily becomes hard and hot; the pulse rises; the appetite fails, and more or less fever is present. The progress of the disorder is very rapid, and often fatal; prompt treatment is consequently required.
Treatment.—The animal must be removed to a warm, sheltered situation, free from wet and cold. The best remedy is the A.A. It is the more demanded if the pulse is much disturbed and the patient feverish, and a dose should be given three or four times a day. The lamb must be allowed to suck, or the udder must be otherwise emptied of its contents. As the fever abates, use the C.C., in alternation with the A.A.
CHAPTER VI.—Part III.
DISEASES OF LOCOMOTION AND SKIN
Rheumatism
Sheep, particularly aged sheep and lambs, are subject to rheumatism, sometimes acute, sometimes chronic. They move stiffly, as if in pain, look thin and miserable. The symptoms and treatment are the same as those for the same disease in cattle (page [137]). In old sheep, only partial relief can be given; they should therefore be fed under shelter, ready for slaughter; if left to graze, they may not feed at all. Lambs should be sheltered and kept warm. B.B., is the proper and very useful remedy, given daily.
Lameness
A sheep frequently manifests sudden lameness; when it does so, the foot should be washed and examined. If there be a stone, thorn, or other foreign substance in the cleft, it should be removed, and the wound dressed with Humphreys’ Veterinary Oil. For other causes of lameness, see sections on foot-rot, rheumatism, etc.