DISEASES OF SHEEP 479 



habit they must be separated from their mothers except when nurs- 

 ing. When indigestion is present the following bitter tonics can be 

 given: bicarbonate of soda (two ounces), powdered gentian (one 

 ounce), sulphate of soda (six ounces) ; mix and give one teaspoonful 

 in the feed morning and evening. 



ACUTE TYMPANITES, BLOATING, HOVEN. 



Bloating is more common among cattle than among sheep, but 

 usually when it does occur a number of animals in the flock are af- 

 fected. The disease is more common during late summer and early 

 fall than at any other season of the year. 



Causes. Diseases of the rumen or any part of the digestive 

 track predisposes sheep to tympanites. When due to these condi- 

 tions, it usually takes on a chronic form. It may occur as a symptom 

 of choking. A very common cause is succulent foods such as clover, 

 rape, green corn, etc., especially if wet with dew or a light rain and 

 when the animal is not accustomed to eating them. Frozen food and 

 drinking large quantities of cold water after eating may sometimes 

 cause a fermentation of the food in the rumen. 



Symptoms. The abdomen is distended with gas and is larger 

 than normal. The left flank is distended at first but when the gas 

 forms in large amounts the whole abdomen becomes distended. This 

 occurs very quickly, is elastic and resonant. The sheep stop eating 

 and ruminating, look anxious, the eyes are prominent, the mucous 

 membranes are congested and faeces are expelled at irregular inter- 

 vals. If not relieved the respirations become labored and the pulse 

 weak. Saliva dribbles from the mouth. The animal becomes very 

 stupid and finally sinks to the ground and dies. Death occurs as a 

 result of the absorption by the blood.-vessels of a toxic product from 

 the stomach and the interference with the aeration of the blood in 

 the lungs due to the pressure on the air cells by the distended rumen. 

 Acute tympanitis takes a very rapid course. If the gas escapes by 

 way of the gullet or intestines a spontaneous cure may result. 



Treatment. Preventive measures are important. A change to 

 a succulent diet should be made gradually; musty grains, fodders, 

 roots and frosted foods should not be fed to sheep. It is not best to 

 allow a flock to graze in clover or eat any succulent food if wet with 

 dew or light rain. The gas can be removed very quickly by punctur- 

 ing the rumen with the trocar and canula. The seat of the operation 

 is on the most prominent portion of the left flank. A small sized 

 trocar and canula should be used and to guard against infection, it 

 should be sterilized before using and the skin over the seat of the 

 puncture washed with a disinfectant. The instrument is then 

 plunged through the walls of the abdomen and rumen, the trocar 

 withdrawn and the gas allowed to escape. Before withdrawing the 

 canula the trocar should be replaced. It is always best after using the 

 instrument to boil it in water. This will insure a clean instrument 

 when needed. When a number of sheep in the flock are affected and 

 there is a running stream in the pasture, it is best to drive them into 

 it. The cold water coming in contact with the wall of the abdomen 

 may stimulate the movement of the rumen and the gas will be then 



