2 22 Common Diseases of the Horse 



If the infection is slight, little need be done save isolation, 

 good grooming, and disinfection of the loose box and brushes after- 

 wards. When the parasites are very numerous the animal may 

 require washing in a weak solution of any of the coal-tar disin- 

 fectants. In some cases, however, it may be necessary to clip. The 

 large or large-headed louse is always troublesome to the horse har- 

 bouring it. It is a bloodsucker, and is usually found with its mouth 

 parts firmly embedded into the skin. It does not wander aimlessly 

 about like the small lice, and is usually found on the flank, neck, 

 and hind quarters. It causes great irritation, and affected horses 

 rub against their stall partitions or shafts when at work, and often 

 bite themselves, especially when lying down. The attacks seem 

 worse at night, and there is much stamping. This louse is most 

 often seen in middle-aged or old horses, and is extremely difficult 

 to get rid of. Although it may seem severe, the best thing to do, 

 no matter what time of the year, is to clip the patient all over, 

 taking care to burn the hair and not let it blow about, as great 

 numbers of nits will now be seen in it. The animal should then 

 be carefully singed. This will kill a great number of the parasites. 

 An old and thin kitchen knife can then be passed over the body, 

 and in this manner large numbers of nits are thereby removed. 

 The body can then be dressed all over with a decoction of staves- 

 acre seeds twice a week. It is most important that the legs be 

 clipped and soaked twice a week in a tub of solution of a good 

 coal-tar disinfectant, because this is the chief breeding ground. 

 It is needless again to comment on isolation and disinfection of 

 all gears and utensils. 



Mange 



There are three forms of this disease, and each is due to a 

 distinct mite, all three of which are more or less like the familiar 

 cheese mite. Two of the mites cause body mange (sarcoptic and 

 psoroptic). These are contagious diseases, within the meaning 

 of the Contagious Diseases of Animals Acts, and must be reported 

 to the police. The third form, known as leg mange, is not noti- 

 fiable. 



Sarcoptic Mange 



This usually commences on some of the under parts of the 

 body, such as the space between the lower jaws, under the neck, 

 the brisket, or belly, and then extends on to the back. The first 

 sign of the disease is intense irritation, manifested by the animal 

 licking itself and rubbing against any structures within its reach. 

 If the withers or other affected parts are rubbed with the hand, 



