112 SHEEP DISEASES. 



Treatment: If the obstruction can be felt in the 

 neck, massage may be tried. An equine catheter 

 may be used as a probang, and the obstruction 

 dislodged by its steady pressure. A quarter grain 

 pilocarpin administered hypodermically often 

 gives relief within an hour or so. 



The great danger is from the bloating. The 

 use of the trocar should not be neglected if at all 

 indicated, for collapse in sheep occurs when least 

 expected. Due to the heaviness of the fleece we 

 often do not detect intense tympany in sheep until 

 it is too late to save the animal. 



In case the obstruction proves stubborn and 

 "watchful waiting" avails nothing, immediate 

 slaughter may be advised. 



3. Bloat. 



Hoven; blasting; meteorism. 



This condition is a common one in the West; 

 large numbers of sheep are lost annually from 

 acute bloat. Any kind of forage may cause the 

 trouble, especially after a rain. Wet alfalfa is 

 particularly deadly. 



In the fall, after having been on the summer 

 range, the sheep are trailed leisurely back over 

 the rich farming sections to the "home ranch." 

 Wheat or oats stubble is rented by the sheep man 

 and the animals turned in. Hungry for grain, it 

 is remarkable how much the animals can pick up 

 in a few hours. If there is any alfalfa near and 

 available, trouble may ensue, not only from bloat, 

 but from founder. Quick action is required by 

 the attending veterinarian, and the treatment 



