DISEASES OF THE HORSE 15 



AZOTURIA 



Cause: This disease is usually due to work after a 

 period of idleness, during which the animal has been 

 liberally fed. It is found principally among highly-fed 

 draft horses, and never in animals which are regularly 

 worked. Light breeds of horses are also susceptible to 

 this disease. 



Symptoms: Attack is sudden and usually appears 

 when the horse has traveled a short distance after hav- 

 ing been stabled for a few days. The characteristio 

 symptoms of this disease in an animal are : Excitability 

 without apparent cause ; actions seem to indicate injury 

 of the hind quarters or loins. Animal has a peculiar 

 goose-rumped look, owing to the muscles over the 

 quarters being violently contracted, and are hard on 

 pressure. One hind limb is generally advanced in front 

 of the other, and on attempting to put weight on it, the 

 hind quarters will drop until at times the hocks almost 

 touch the ground. Sometimes a front leg is affected. 

 The breathing is hurried. Animal is bathed in sweat, 

 and is in such agony that it will seize almost anything 

 with its teeth. Although the pulse is hard and frequent, 

 the internal temperature, even in severe cases, seldom 

 rises to any marked extent. The urine is dark-red to 

 dirty-brown color. Owing to the stoppage of the worm- 

 like movement of the bowels, there is generally constipa- 

 tion and retention of the urine. Sometimes the symp- 

 toms are milder than here described. In other cases 

 the animal soon falls to the ground and continues to 

 struggle in a delirious, half-paralyzed state until he dies. 

 Sometimes this disease is mistaken for colic or acute 

 indigestion, but it can be readily distinguished by the 

 color of the urine. 



Treatment : At the first symptom, stop and blanket 

 the animal and let stand from one to three hours. Then 

 move to the nearest shelter, keeping the animal as quiet 

 and comfortable, as possible, as excitement aggravates 



