CHAPTER I 



ABORTION IN MARES 



Cause : Quality and quantity of food, poorly lighted, 

 ventilated or drained stables, mare falling or slipping, 

 sprains, kicks, hard, fast work or eating poisonous vege- 

 tation. 



Symptoms: Mare will show signs of colic, the outer 

 portion of the womb will be swollen, and if the colicky 

 symptoms continue there will be a watery discharge 

 and the membranes covering the foetus or foal will 

 become noticeable. The animal strains when lying down 

 or getting up. 



Treatment: Place the animal in comfortable quar- 

 ters and blanket if chilly. When colicky pains are 

 present treat the same as for spasmodic colic. To stop 

 the straining and labor pains, give Tincture Opii one 

 ounce, placing in gelatin capsule and give with capsule 

 gun every^two hours. One to two doses, however, are 

 generally sufficient as the mare will either abort or the 

 dangerous period will have passed. Keep the animal 

 quiet and feed good nutritious food and pure water with 

 chill taken off in small quantities but often. Disinfect 

 the mare's quarters thoroughly. A good general tonic 

 should be used in this condition, one that will strengthen 

 and assist nature to throw off impurities from the blood, 

 such as Sodium Hyposulphite, eight ounces; Potassi 

 Iodide, one ounce. Make into eight powders and give 

 one powder two or three times a day in drinking water. 



ABSCESS 

 Cause : Bruises and injuries. Abscesses are also seen 

 in complications with various diseases, perhaps the most 

 common being distemper, laryngitis, etc. 



