THROMBOSIS 205 



It will easily be understood that those cases are much more serious in 

 which the arteries of both sides are affected or the thrombus is placed 

 in the posterior aorta itself. In such cases the animal frequently collapses 

 even when at rest in the stable, the hind limbs being unable to sustain the 

 weight of the body. The affected limbs are cold, but the other parts of 

 the body perspire freely, and there is considerable disturbance in the action 

 of the heart. 



The condition is serious, and it is only in cases where the smaller 

 vessels are blocked and where the muscles receive their blood supply from 

 the collateral vessels that recovery can be expected. In most other cases 

 the condition tends to progress, and the symptoms become more 

 accentuated. 



Little can be done in the way of treatment. Regular exercise or 

 work should be recommended, with the object of assisting circulation 

 through the collateral vessels. 



In some cases the thrombus may be felt by passing the hand up the 

 rectum, and in such cases attempts have been made to assist recovery by 

 breaking down the thrombus by compression. The results, however, 

 have not been satisfactory. But it will be evident that such exploration 

 by the rectum may be of assistance in forming a positive diagnosis. 

 The following case, reported by Wallis Hoare, is interesting : 

 "The animal, aged about nineteen years, according to the owner, had 

 been left idle in the stable from April 15 to April 17, in consequence of 

 lameness in the near hind leg ; she was put to walking exercise on 

 April 18 for about one hour and appeared perfectly well. On the 

 morning of April 19 she was put in double harness in order to drive the 

 owner to town, and started very fresh, but after going a short distance 

 from the stable, she appeared to go very lame in the off hind leg and 

 quickly lost all power over the limb, and attempted to lie down. 



She was with difficulty taken out of harness, and commenced to 

 sweat profusely and to exhibit marked distress, pawing violently with 

 each fore foot alternately. She was removed to the nearest stable and 



