DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF SHEEP AND PIGS 45'j 



7. Tape Worm. 



Tapeworm usually affects young sheep, but may affect old 

 ones. The disease is generally seen in sheep that are pastur 

 ing on low, rich pasture fields, where dogs that are affectec 

 with tapeworm often run across and leave their droppings, as 

 this is the way the disease is carried, and spreads from one- 

 flock to the other. When one sheep becomes affected with 

 tapeworm, the worm grows rapidly until it assumes the 

 length of from ten to fifty feet. It is made up of flat joints 

 about half an inch long. After the tapeworm gets large, fre 

 quently these joints become broken off and pass away with 

 the manure. The joint is alive when it comes away and re- 

 mains alive and crawls about on the grass. Very often an- 

 other sheep comes along and picks it up, and as soon as it 

 reaches the bowels it begins to grow and forms a new 

 tapeworm. 



Symptoms. — There is loss of flesh and a peculiar dull 

 appearance of the eyes. The appetite is good but the food 

 eaten seems to be of little good as the nourishment is ab- 

 sorbed by the worm. 



As soon as these symptoms are noticed watch the drop- 

 pings carefully for joints of the tapeworm. These are flat 

 and about half an inch in length. The finding of these of 

 course is sure proof of the disease. Tapeworm is dangerous 

 and should be treated promptly. 



Treatment. — Separate the diseased sheep from those that 

 do not show the symptoms and put them in a stable, not 

 allowing them to eat anything for twelve hours. At the end 

 of this time they are ready for treatment. Give the following: 



Oil of Male Shield Fern 1 dram or 1 teaspoonful. 



Raw Linseed Oil J^ teacupful. 



Mix and give as a drench to each of the affected sheep. 

 After this drench feed them light, keeping them in the stable 

 so that you can watch their droppings. Should this work 

 upon the bowels as it usually does, a sort of bunch of worm 

 often as large as the two hands comes away. 



Should the medicine not act in this manner allow the 

 patient no food for another twelve hours and repeat the dose 

 If a large sheep, give a teaspoonful and a half of the oil of 

 male shield fern. Keep this treatment up until the worm 



