The Vet. Book 



Parasites, Internal, in Sheep {see Worms) 



Parturient Apoplexy (Milk Fever) 



Parturient apoplexy, or dropping after calving, 

 is a disease entirely confined to cows, and heavy 

 milkers seem to be predisposed to this affection, 

 hence the reason why such breeds as the Alderney ; 

 Ayrshire; Shorthorn, etc., are so frequently 

 affected with this complaint, which is particularly 

 prevalent in dairying districts. At one time 

 enormous losses were caused by it, in fact it might 

 not have been inaptly termed the " Dairyman's 

 Scourge," but since the introduction of Schmit's 

 treatment the losses have been reduced to five per 

 cent, or thereabouts ; when death occurs in the 

 present day, it is either due to some complication 

 such as pneumonia, etc., or else improper treatment, 

 because the old fashioned treatment is not the 

 slightest use in this complaint, and it only carried 

 with it one economical recommendation as a set off, 

 and that was, the advisability for slaughter, in 

 preference to its adoption. Although termed 

 " Milk Fever" there is no fever, the temperature 

 being practically normal. The term " dropping 

 after calving" is frequently used, but does not 

 necessarily imply that the animal has parturient 

 apoplexy, in fact a considerable per centage of 

 cows drop within about 43 hours of calving, yet 

 never pass into the stages of this malady ; hence 



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