CHAPTER VIII 



AILMENTS OF DAIRY COWS AT CALVING TIME 



The following are notes taken from lectures delivered at Elsenberg 

 Agricultural College. 



Abortion. 



THIS condition does not frequently occur with cows, 

 and it may be divided into two classes, accidental 

 and contagious. Sometimes the term " premature 

 birth " is used with abortion, but, strictly speaking, 

 in premature birth the foetus is living, and it occurs 

 during the latter part of pregnancy; whereas in 

 abortion the foetus is not living, and it occurs during 

 the earliest parts of pregnancy. 



Causes. It may be either due to injuries, rough 

 treatment, over-excitement from any cause, result of 

 an illness, exposure to either excessive heat or cold, 

 poisonous plants, long journeys or use of a purgative. 



Symptoms. There is little or no suggestion of 

 it. There may be a slight swelling of teats and 

 vulva, a slight discharge from vulva, the animal is 

 restive, afterwards in apparent pain hurried breath- 

 ing and expulsion of foetus happen. 



Treatment. The only preventive treatment is 

 to avoid the causes above mentioned, for once the 

 animal commences to abort it is impossible to 

 check it. Every case should be looked upon as a 

 possible case of contagious form. Sometimes the 



