Distemper 39 



This disease is more severe the first time a horse has it than fol- 

 lowing attacks. From 3 to 5 per cent of the cases die. 



SYMPTOMS 



The horse in the first stages of the disease has a watery sticky dis- 

 charge from one or both nostrils. Then the horse coughs, has increased 

 thirst, but prefers to drink often and in small amounts. In two or three 

 days the sticky, watery discharge changes to a dirty white pus. The 

 more severe the case the more pus there is formed. 



The first swellings appear in the upper portion of the throat (The 

 Pharynx) or is between the base of the lower jaw bones, (The Sub Max- 

 illary Glands). In addition swelling may appear on any portion of the 

 body, varying in size from a small potato to a hens egg. If not treated, 

 the abscesses usually break the second week of the attack. The horse 

 has a diminished appetite. 



TREATMENTS 



When horses get strangles place them in open pastures if they have 

 a dry place to lie down and the weather will permit. A pasture having 

 running water in it is preferable, since well horses are not as likely to 

 take the disease from the sick ones. If the weather is snowy or rainy 

 byi all means keep them in shelter as the sick horses will easily take cold 

 or may- de\'elop pneumonia. Do not feed feverish or irritable foods 

 such as corn, corn fodder or timothy hay. Feed feeds that are not 

 feverish with a laxative effect such as oats, grass, oil meal, or clean 

 clover hay. Allowing the horse to get warm and cool off quick has a 

 tendency to make distemper worse. The swelling may be considerably 

 reduced by applying red iodide of mercury 1 part, lard 4 or 5 parts. 

 The iodide has an antiseptic effect, easily absorbed and causes the blood 

 flow to come to the part. Bathing the abscess in hot water before apply- 

 ing the mercury blister often aids in reducing the pus. In severe cases 

 it will often be necessary to allow the horse to inhale camphor, tar or 

 ammonia fumes. Hold a sponge or bucket below the horses nose con- 

 taining hot water with one of them in it and let the horse breath the 

 fumes. Some claim better results from lancing the swellings than from 

 applying blisters. 



