Treatment. Rest, cold moist applications, and massage constitute the best treatment in the early stages. Should swelling persist, one may afterwards apply a smart blister or even tap the joint aseptically, drawing off the fluid and then applying the actual cautery. Irritant injections must be avoided.
DISTENSION OF THE SYNOVIAL CAPSULE OF THE HOCK JOINT.
Bog Spavin in the Ox.
Bog spavin is frequent in working oxen and in oxen from three to five years old. It is due to strain in draught or to strain produced in rearing up at the moment of covering. Old bulls, heavy of body, and stiff in their limbs are predisposed to it.
Symptoms. The symptoms usually develop gradually and without lameness, but sometimes declare themselves more rapidly with lameness, accompanied by marked sensitiveness on palpation. At first the hock shows a generalised doughy swelling, soon followed by dilatation of the articular synovial sac. Somewhat later four different swellings appear—two in front, separated by the tendons of the common extensor and flexor metatarsi, and two at the back, extending inside and outside to the flexure of the hock.
Diagnosis. The only precaution required in diagnosis is to avoid confusion with articular rheumatism.
Prognosis. The prognosis is rather grave in the case of working oxen, and even of bulls; often slaughter is preferable to treatment.
Treatment differs in no respect from that of distension of the stifle joint. In young bulls aseptic puncture and drainage of the joint, followed by the application of the actual cautery, probably give the best results.
DISTENSION OF TENDON SHEATHS IN THE HOCK REGION.
Like the preceding, this condition is rarely seen except in bulls and working oxen. It is characterised by dilatation of the upper portion of the tarsal sheath, one swelling appearing on the outer side, the other on the inner.