27 



THE KIDNEYS AND URINARY ORGANS 



The function of the kidneys is to eliminate water and other wastes 



from the body. 



Probably no organ of the body is so quickly effected by the disorder 

 of some other organ of the body as are the kidneys. Digestive dirorders, 

 liver disorders, disorders of the gall and even nervous disorders reflect 

 themselves in disorders of the kidneys. This is because of the extra 

 work required of the kidneys. 



The color of the urine of a healthy horse depends largely upon the 

 kind of feed they are receiving. On grass the urine is white probably 

 due to salt deposits. On hay, corn, and oats it is amber color witli a 

 distinct and characteristic odor. 



EXCESSIVE URINATION 



Otherwise Knoivn as {Diuresis, Diahetis Insipidus, or Polyuria) 



CAUSES 



Excessive urination is caused by new or musty oats, hay or other 

 musty feed. This disease is therefore more frequent in wet seasons. Millet 

 hay is particularly liable to cause this disease. Harmful drugs in stock 

 powders or patent feeds are frequent causes. 



SYMPTOMS 



Horses may drink as much as 18 gallon of water a day in hot weather 

 when effected with this disease and urinate as much as 12 gallons a day 



Often the disease is mistaken for colic for it frequently happens that the 

 horse has colicky pains and symptoms. The horse gets hollow in the 

 flanks, gets thin in flesh, the hair stands erect, and loses its luster, the 

 eyes are sunken and after running for some period the horse gets sluggish. 



TREATMENT 



The most effective treatment is to remove the cause, which is usually 

 located in the feed. 



I have had cases where the horse could not receive oats or grass 

 without becoming noticeably worse. Again I have had cases other years 

 that could not eat oats, clover, or millet hay without becoming worse. 



