Lameness of the Horse Part 26

Treatment.--Location of the site of injury is advisable in all cases and in some instances provision for drainage, as in puncture wounds, is helpful. Locally, curettage and the application of suitable antiseptics are indicated. Hot fomentations are beneficial and should be continued for several days if necessary, to stimulate resolution. A brisk purge should be admintered at the onset and strychnin, because of its indirect stimulative effect upon the circulation together with its tonic effect upon the musculature, is beneficial.

In all such cases rational treatment, good hygiene and careful nursing are the princ.i.p.al factors which stimulate recovery. Individual resistance or lowered vitality has a marked influence on the course of this affection.

NON-INFECTIOUS LYMPHANGITIS.

This type of lymphangitis is a.s.sociated with, or the result of, a derangement of digestion. It affects heavy draft horses, rarely other types of animals, and involves one or both hind legs.

Occurrence.--In healthy and well nourished horses irregularly used, this affection may suddenly manifest itself. It occurs in singular instances in mares that are in advanced pregnancy even when such animals are at pasture. Usually, however, this malady is found in heavy draft horses that have been kept stabled from one to three days.

Symptomatology.--At the outset in severe cases, there is elevation of temperature, labored breathing, accelerated pulse, anorexia and more or less swelling of the affected members. Swelling is very painful and when the affected legs are palpated, pain is manifested by flinching. The inguinal lymph glands are often swollen but in some cases they are not affected in any perceptible degree. In the average case suppuration does not occur and when conditions are favorable, resolution is complete within ten days. The extent of the involvement and the intensity of the affection vary materially in different cases and a chronic lymphangitis may succeed the acute attacks and finally in some instances, elephantiasis results.

Treatment.--An active purgative should be given at once and in the ordinary case, stimulants are indicated. If marked distress is present, morphin is given and where there is much rise of temperature, cold drinking water is offered in abundance and catharsis is enhanced by enemata. Locally, hot applications are of benefit. Hot towels or cotton held in position by bandages and kept soaked with warm water will relieve pain and stimulate resolution. Diuretics may be of benefit and anodyne applications are to be employed with profit in some cases.

Walking exercise, if not indulged in to excess, is helpful as soon as acute inflammation has subsided. By giving careful attention to the regimen and providing regular exercise for susceptible subjects, this type of lymphangitis is often forestalled.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 34: Manual of Veterinary Physiology. Page 610.]

[Footnote 35: Manual of Veterinary Physiology, page 601.]

[Footnote 36: Case report at meeting of the Iowa State Veterinary Medical a.s.sociation, Jan., 1904, by Dr. S.H. Bauman, Birmingham, Ia.]

[Footnote 37: Regional Veterinary Surgery and Operative Technique, by John A.W. Dollar, M.R.C.V.S., F.R.S.E., M.R.I., page 733.]

[Footnote 38: As quoted by A. Liautard, M.D., V.M., American Veterinary Review, Vol. 37, page 667.]

[Footnote 39: Quoted by Prof. Liautard, American Veterinary Review, Vol.

33, page 190.]

[Footnote 40: Traite de Therapeutique Chirurgical des Animaux Domestique par P.J. Cadiot et J. Almy, Tome second, page 460.]

[Footnote 41: Traite de Therapeutique Chirurgical, Tome second, page 465.]

[Footnote 42: Luxation of the Femur, by Wm. V. Lusk, Veterinary Surgeon, U.S. Cavalry, American Veterinary Review, Vol. 21, page 254.]

[Footnote 43: Because of the intimacy of the psoas major (p. magnus) and the iliacus they are sometimes called iliopsoas.]

[Footnote 44: Dr. John Scott, Peoria, Ill., in The American Veterinary Review, Vol. 16, page 16.]

[Footnote 45: Annotation on Surgical Items, by Drs. L.A. and Edward Merillat, American Veterinary Review, Vol. 31, page 358.]

[Footnote 46: W.L. Williams in American Veterinary Review, Vol. 21, page 452.]

[Footnote 47: Geo. H. Berns, D.V.S., report, American Veterinary Medical a.s.sociation, 1912, page 238.]

[Footnote 48: Joseph Hughes, M.R.C.V.S., in the Chicago Veterinary College Quarterly Bulletin, Vol. 10, page 15.]

[Footnote 49: Traite de Therap. Chir. Cadiot et Almy, Tome second, page 480.]

[Footnote 50: E. Wallis h.o.a.re, F.R.C.V.S., American Veterinary Review, Vol. 27, page 1189.]

[Footnote 51: Discussions on paper ent.i.tled "The Spavin Group of Lamenesses," by W.L. Williams, Carl W. Fisher and D.H. Udall, Proceedings of American Veterinary Medical a.s.sociation, 1905.]

[Footnote 52: "Hock-Joint Lameness," by Dr. James McDonough, Proceedings of the A.V.M.A., 1913, page 545.]