Constipation 91 



TREATMENT OF CHRONIC INDIGESTION 



In aged cattle where the symptoms have been months developing 

 treatment is not always satisfactory. The feeding of a laxative and easily 

 digested food is most important in this disease. Five or six gallons of 

 milk may be fed to a cow weighing 1000 pounds. Some will drink it like 

 water. I do not favor giving milk and ensilage together, however no feed 

 is better than ensilage for chronic indigestion; the acid seems to effect 

 the blood and gives tone to the digestion that can be found in no other 

 feed. If silage is not available green wheat, rye or short tendetr grass 

 are next to be preferred. Bran mashes with a little salt, boiled oat 

 meal, flour gruels, raw eggs, ground oats and oil meal or finely chop- 

 ped alfalfa or clover may be given. Give plenty of water with the 

 chill taken off. 



MEDICAL TREATMENT 



Give the animal a physic of epsom salts. If they are not too weak 

 two pounds may be dissolved in water for each 1000 pounds live weight. 

 If they are weak a smaller dose is best. 24 hours after the salts are 

 given begin giving creolin. II/2 drams (ll/o teaspoonful) may be given 

 every 8 hours in 1/2 pint of raw oil as a drench. This should be con- 

 tinued for several days or till they improve. For cattle weighing 500 

 pounds give I/2 ^s much creolin. The above dose is for 1000 pounds 

 live weight. 



Bloating may be checked by giving 2 to 4 tablespoonsful of baking 

 soda before feeding. 



CONSTIPATION 



Constipation is not of infrequent occurrence among stabled cattle 

 allowed access to only a limited range during tlie winter months. 



It frequently happens such cattle when fed dry constipating feeds and 

 due to coldness they drink an inefficient supply of water for digestive 

 purposes and they becomes constipated. Constipation may also occuir in 

 diseases having fever associated with them. 



SYMPTOMS 



Cows that become constipated have diminished appetites which is us- 

 ually variable. That is they may eat fairly well in the morning and at 



