This is a disease which has existed on certain farms for years without either the owners or Veterinarians knowing what it was, and it is only within the last few years that we have known that it was caused by a definite disease germ.
Symptoms.—This disease usually attacks whole herds rather than individual animals. At first there is loss of condition and weight with rough coat and dry skin, then diarrhea is noticed, the discharges being brown and like molasses. There is no fever, but the animal has little appetite and keeps getting thinner and weaker all the time until it finally dies from exhaustion. The course of the disease is long—from two months to three years—and is always fatal.
Treatment.—In suspected cases give F.F., twenty drops every three hours, until the animal improves or the disease becomes thoroughly developed in which latter case the animal should be killed at once, and the place disinfected as given under abortion on page [122].
Stomatitis
This is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the lips, cheeks and gums and occasionally also of the palate and tongue. It may occur as one of the symptoms of a disease of the digestive organs or general disease; or may be caused by thorns, sharp teeth, rough food, poisonous plants, mercury, fungi, etc.
Symptoms.—The membrane of the mouth is red and inflamed and the animal does not eat because of the pain in chewing. In some forms of this disease there are also swellings and tenderness about the pasterns and cracks and scars on the udder and teats, which makes the disease look very much like foot and mouth disease. However in foot and mouth disease, the whole herd and also hogs and sheep are attacked, while with stomatitis only a few cattle are affected.
Treatment.—Give C.C., in the morning, and I.I., at night, also wash the mouth with Humphreys’ Marvel Witch Hazel and water half and half. Give plenty of clean pure water, and only soft or liquid food, such as gruels, mashes, etc.
There is also a form of this disease which attacks calves (calf diphtheria) usually under six weeks old. The mouth is covered with yellow-gray patches and there is high fever, swelled glands about the throat, and great weakness. The treatment is the same as given above, except that as the disease is contagious, the calf must be separated from the other animals and everything that it has come in contact with disinfected.
Boulimia—Excessive Appetite
An unusual increase of appetite is a symptom of a morbid state of the constitution. Though the animal eats largely, greedily, and even shows a disposition for uncommon food, which he takes gluttonously, he may become more and more emaciated. Suitable food should be given; at the same time it should be fresh, and not in excessive quantities, although there is a desire for it. Fresh, cold water should also be given.