30 Dropsy 



SYMPTOMS 



There is the chronic and acute form of nephritis. The acute as I 

 have observed the disease is the termination of the chronic. The chronic 

 form more often manifests itself in as much as several days of suppressed 

 urination or the urination may be frequent and of a deficient amount. 

 These may be the only noticeable symptoms in some cases. 



In the more acute form the horse takes ill quite suddenly, becomes 

 weak and if exerted lays back, wabbles, rolls and may fall in the harness. 

 Such an attack usually occurs after a period of rest following heavy work, 

 hence the name, "Monday Morning Disease" given it in the cities. Dur- 

 ing the rest on heavy feed, the intestines have not done as much work and 

 extra work has been thrown on the kidneys. However such a disease 

 might occur on Wednesday or Thursday. 



One or all of the following symptoms may be present: colicky 

 pains, weakness, loss of appetite, rise of fever, straggling gait, or head 

 back and difficulty in rising when down. The legs, joints, abdomen and 

 even the belly may be puffed out with a dropsy like swelling. By in- 

 serting the oiled Jiand in the rectum of the horse or vulva of the mare 

 no urine is to be found in the bladder. The last two symptoms are 

 different from those found in inflamalion of the bladder. In inflamation 

 of the bladder dropsy is not present and often the bladder is full. The 

 urine is thick, slimy and highly colored in nephritis. They do not al- 

 ways flinch when pressure is applied over the kidneys. 



See also Congestion of the Lungs. 



TREATMENT 



Do nothing to exert the horse, blanket them and apply hot cloths 

 over the kidneys. Do not give or apply externally lineaments, turpen- 

 tine, croton oil, gasoline or any drugs that will irritate. A quart to 

 one and one-half quarts of raw linseed or castor oil may be given to 

 keep the bowels open and take work off of the kidneys. Give all the 

 sweet milk they will drink and make it the chief food. Give some g^ass 

 timothy hay and oil meal but very little grain. Give the horse plenty of 

 water several times daily. If they do not drink pretty plenty of water 

 some salt may be added to increase the thirst. The chief things to do are 

 to give the horse lots of rest avoid irritant drugs and foods and give 

 close attention to the diet. A horse effected may nevea: have another 

 attack or it may reoccur. 



