DISEASES OF GOATS, DOGS, AND CATS 633 



DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS. 



PARASITISM. 



The condition which will most frequently be mistaken for 

 takosis in goats is parasitism. In common with sheep, goats serve 

 as hosts for a formidable array of animal parasites, and the loss 

 directly or indirectly due to parasitic invasions must annually serve 

 as a serious tax upon the goat raisers of the country. 



The effects of internal parasites upon the goats are very similar 

 in many of their outward manifestations to the symptoms of takosis. 

 There is a persistent unthriftiness, although the appetite of the 

 animal remains good. The fleece does not retain its proper luster. 

 There may be considerable snuffling of the nose, accompanied by 

 frequent coughing. The animal may become affected with diarrhea, 

 more or less severe, and its accompanying weakness. The eyes lose 

 their brilliance and gradually assume a dull sunken appearance. 

 The formation of an edematous tumor beneath the jaws is frequently 

 noticed during the later stages of a serious invasion. These, in a 

 general way, are the symptoms resulting from an attack by animal 

 parasites, but it must be remembered that there are species of worms 

 that find their natural habitat in some particular organ, and that, 

 in consequence, it is impossible to give an accurate enumeration of 

 the symptoms that may be manifested in any given case under the 

 general heading of parasitism. 9 



The symptoms produced by the local disturbance of the affected 

 part will predominate, while others, frequently caused by parasitic 

 invasion will be entirely lacking. Careful post-mortem examination 

 will quickly disclose the presence of parasites. A differential diag- 

 nosis previous to death of the animal may, however, be made by giv- 

 ing due consideration to the various symptoms manifested by these 

 diseases. First of all, the infectious nature of takosis, when com- 

 pared with the enzootic course of a parasitic invasion, will justify one 

 in making a definite diagnosis. In attacks of takosis, symptoms of 

 pneumonia will be frequently noted, especially labored breathing or 

 rapid respiration. These symptoms are not diagnostic of parasitism. 

 The edematous lump under the jaw, so frequently present in cases 

 of parasitism, fails in takosis. The luster of the fleece is less affected 

 in takosis, while diarrhea is more frequently noted. Continuous 

 coughing and snuffling, while diagnostic of the presence of lung- 

 worms, are not characteristic of takosis and are noted only occasion- 

 ally in cases of this disease, unless there is a complication with some 

 other affection. 



ANEMIA. 



In goats this is very rare, and when it does occur it is usually 

 secondary to some previously existing disease, such as chronic pneu- 

 monia, peritonitis, or to poor food and starvation. It does not as- 

 sume an infectious nature, and may be differentiated from the 

 anemic condition accompanying takosis by the absence of the spe- 

 cific organism on microscopic examination. 



WATERY CACHEXIA, OR HYDREMIA. 



This usually results from poor feeding, innutritious food, or 



