DISEASES OF SHEEP TREATMENT 207 



Fluke Worms. 



All sheep are subject to liver flukes which cause the so-called liver rot 

 They are small flat worms from one-fourth to one-half inch long, and multiply 

 very rapidly where there is stagnant water ; they make their way to the livei 

 and there develop. 



Symptoms. General debility; the wool is rough; the appetite gone; 

 and there is abnormal thirst. There may be diarrhea, or the bowels may be 

 constipated. If the discharges are examined with a microscope they will be 

 found to contain many of the eggs. Swellings appear on parts of the body. 



Treatment. The best treatment is to prevent the disease by removing 

 the animals to high and dry pastures; see that the drinking water is pure. 

 Medicines, except tonics, are of little value in this disease. Give plenty of 

 nutritious food, and feed plenty of rock salt and lump sulphur. Charcoal 

 may be given mixed with a little ginger. 



Foot Rot. 



Foot rot is an inflammation of the horny structure of the foot and skin 

 connections. Exposure in wet pastures ; general debility ; contagion, and 

 filthy surroundings usually develop it. 



Symptoms. The animal is observed to limp. Sometimes the whole four 

 feet are affected. The parts are hot, swollen and tender; there will be a 

 foul discharge of fluid and the animal will soon be unable to walk; death 

 may ensue. 



Treatment. The animal should be isolated; the treatment must be 

 immediate and thorough. Ascertain the cause if possible and remove it. 

 In mild cases a little tar rubbed on will be effective. If the disease has reached 

 a putrid type, clean the foot by washing, or turn the animals into wet grass; 

 remove all loose or superfluous horn. Then wash the parts with a solution made 

 by mixing four ounces pyroligneous acid with three ounces of water. Saturate 

 a piece of cotton with this solution and apply, changing when necessary. If 

 a number of animals are to be treated it can be accomplished more rapidly by 

 standing them for a short time in a wooden trough, which contains one inch 

 depth of the following solution: Linseed oil, two pints; pyroligneous acid, 

 four pints ; kerosene , one pint. Any amount can be made in the above propor- 

 tions. Improve the general condition with the following tonic: one ounce 

 each; powdered sassafras, charcoal and golden seal, one-half ounce sulphur, 

 two drams powdered asafetida, two pounds flaxseed. Mix and give a table- 

 spoonful twice a day in the feed. 



After cleaning the foot carefully saturate the affected parts with turpen- 

 tine, then apply butter of Antimony; bandage the parts and stand on clean, 

 hard floors. This treatment has done much to relieve communities of this 

 disease, especially in low, swampy country. Kerosene oil is fine for sheep with 

 foot rot to walk through. 



