Piles In Sheep 165 



The rumen in the left flank may get about so large, much like a drum, 

 and cause no misery or it may continue to lenlarge and produce a great 

 deal of misery. It is usually caused by a sudden change of diet, as 

 turning sheep off of dry feed into leguminous pasture as clovf^ al- 

 sike, alfalfa, vetches, etc. Such feeds are more likely to cause bloat 

 when damp from dew or rain. They are more likely to cause it when the 

 animal is not accustomed to such feeds and they gorge. 



SYMPTOMS 



The sheep becomes restless, may breathe with the mouth open, 

 turns the head back or towards the flank. The rumen in the left flank 

 usually becomes enlarged and some pain is manifested. 



TREATMENT 



Elevate the front feet higher than the back feet, knead the rumen with 

 the fingers and rub the abdomen with the knee to try to start bowel ac- 

 tion of the sheep. A bit in the mouth may induce belching. 1 to 2 

 drams (1 to 2 teaspoonfuls) of chloral hydrate or 2 to 3 drams (2 to 3 

 teaspoonfuls) of baking soda either, given in one pint of water are ex- 

 cellent to stop gas formation. 1 to 3 teaspoonfuls of turpentine may be 

 given in 1 pint of castor oil, raw linseed oil, or lard to stop gas forma- 

 tion. (See article under stomach worms how to drench a sheep, page 

 163.) If the swelling is not reduced and the animal does not improve 

 with the above, puncture the rumen as advised in bloat in cattle on page 

 86. The canula or hollow tube mav be left in 24 to 48 hours. 



PILES OF SHEEP 



{Prolapse of the Rectum) 



Piles of sheep are not infrequent where the sheep ^e fed too much 

 of a coarse dry feed during the winter months. In piles, a portion of 

 the rectum protrudes from the body. 



TREATMENT 



In previous years the treatment for pries has been largely surgical. 

 Have an attendant hold the sheep and wash the protruding rectum with 

 oak bark tea or alum water, gently and slowly push the rectum back mto 



