PARALYSIS OF POSTERIOR PART OF BODY 633 



of ill effects from the disease. Loss of appetite now takes place, the 

 bowels become constipated, and the hog loses weight and strength. 



Examination of the back is often disappointing. No signs of 

 injury or evidences of local pain are to be found in the majority 

 of cases. When the animal is forced to get up or move about it 

 may show signs of discomfort by squealing and resistance. Finally, 

 as the disease becomes worse, it is impossible for the animal to rise 

 at all. 



In those cases that develop a complete paralysis, and become 

 unable to get on the hind feet at all, the condition becomes very 

 serious, and it is not long, as a rule, until some inflammation of 

 the bowels or other parts of the body sets in and causes the death of 

 the animal. In those cases that are due to injury of the back, 

 kidney inflammation is especially hable to develop and carry away 

 the hog. 



Treatment. — As in many other diseases, an ounce of prevention 

 here is worth a pound of cure. Growing pigs should be given a well- 

 balanced ration, so as to prevent lack of development of the bones 

 and predisposition to fracture of the bones of the hind limbs. 

 In the same manner, sows that are nursing a large litter of pigs 

 should be well fed, in order that they may not be run down and 

 weakened to the point where they are likely to develop a paralysis 

 of this nature. If the sow shows signs of weakening from the heavy 

 drain upon her system she should be allowed to wean the pigs rather 

 than entirely destroy her vitahty. 



Every effort should be made to avoid injury to heavy hogs, and 

 they should be kept under such conditions as will prevent as far 

 as possible any injuries of this kind. In shipping animals, over- 

 crowding and rough handhng is to be avoided as much as possible. 

 Especially is it necessary to use care in corralhng animals and 

 driving them not to produce injuries of the back. Many valuable 

 animals have been permanently disabled through injuries of this 

 kind, such as being hit over the back with a club in the hands of 

 an employee. The hog is proverbially hard to drive, and loss of 

 temper on the part of those trying to drive the animal often results 

 in serious injury. 



When an animal is noticed to be lame behind it should at once 

 be removed from the lot and placed in a pen by itself. The animal 



