The disease may advance for two or three months, and in case of pelvic fractures and distortions, there may be permanent lameness, and dangerous obstruction to parturition, even though the bones should acquire their normal hardness through the deposition of lime salts.
It has been noted that the disease is usually confined to well defined areas, and that even in these it has its periods of abatement and recrudescence so that given years are osteo-malacia years. In the department of l’Aube, France, Leclainche, particularly noted the enzootics of 1865–6, 1870, 1875–6, and 1883–4.
Prognosis. The gravity of the affection varies greatly under different conditions. Some outbreaks are mild while others are very severe, and the prognosis must vary with this gravity. Again at the decline of an enzootic the disease is more benign and less ruinous. A case in its very earliest stage is much more hopeful, than one that is far advanced, with bones extensively softened or even broken, digestion and assimilation badly impaired, and infecting sores and sloughs on different parts of the body. Isolated cases are usually much milder than when the affection has gathered strength enough to determine an enzootic.
Treatment. This will vary with the predominance of the causes, essential or accessory. In some cases the suspension of the injurious food and a rich alimentation on well grown fodders from sound lands will meet every need. Green clover, alfalfa, and other leguminous products, ground oats, beans, peas, linseed cake, rape cake, cotton seed and vetches may be especially named. Even animal food may be availed of, and cases are recorded in which cows have themselves hunted for snails and frogs and devoured them greedily. The free access to common salt, and a liberal supply of bone meal are helpful. Iron and bitter tonics, (gentian, quinine, salicine, nux, copperas, tincture of iron) and cod liver oil, in pint doses daily, have been found advantageous. Apomorphia has been found especially valuable in correcting the preverted appetite, and stimulating digestion.
Where it is feasible to move the affected herd from the unwholesome pasturage or locality to one in which the aliment is rich and the disease unknown, success usually follows the change.
On poor, uncultivated lands where the disease appears yearly, or at short intervals, intensive culture with heavy manuring, and the heavy feeding of the herd on grain products, linseed cake, etc., will often banish the trouble.
Care should be taken to change the water as well as the food.
Finally every drain upon the system should be lessened or stopped. The milk may be dried up and the animal should not be bred. Sweet, dry buildings, pure air, sunshine and grooming are important auxiliaries.
In severe outbreaks, in high conditioned animals, the owner often consults his interest, in sending the victims to the butcher as soon as the affection shows itself and before time has been allowed for the inevitable emaciation and loss.
Some, on osteo-malacia lands, have profited by changing the entire herd every two years, as they become rapidly worn out under successive attacks.