ABORTION 683 



nature of which is as yet undetermined. The disease is not nearly 

 so common as in mares and cows, and, while it may run through an 

 entire herd, it is not likely to be spread from one farm to another 

 except in unusual instances. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of abortion will vary to a great 

 extent, depending upon the cause and the period of pregnancy at 

 which the abortion takes place. If it occurs very soon after con- 

 ception takes place there may be but very httle disturbance and 

 few if any visible signs. The infectious type of the disease is 

 especially mild in its symptoms, and unless the animals are care- 

 fully watched the pigs may be sHpped without any notice of the 

 fact until several weeks later, when it is found that the sow is no 

 longer pregnant. 



If the abortion occurs as the result of an injury or from disease 

 of the womb or genital passages, the symptoms may be more severe, 

 and especially so if it takes place about the middle of the pregnant 

 term. The nearer to full term the sow is at the time of abortion, the 

 less dangerous the occurrence and the more mild the symptoms. 

 Signs of threatening abortion are loss of appetite, restlessness, 

 making of the bed, shivering, trembling of the muscles, dulness, 

 and in some cases very severe labor-pains. Bleeding from the 

 womb may occur, and in some cases the delivery is prolonged and 

 very painful. 



Abortion being an abnormal occurrence, the sow is likely to 

 have an infection of the womb and vagina after delivery and may be 

 very sick for several days. In some cases these infections become 

 so severe as to cause death. It is very common for the sow, after 

 slipping her pigs, to develop a discharge from the genital passages 

 and remain sterile for many months, or she may never be able to 

 again carry a litter of pigs to full term. 



Treatment. — In abortion developing in the course of.hog-cholera 

 or other infectious disease it is not desirable to try to check it. 

 The better course is to allow the animal to abort. Also, if there is 

 good reason to believe that the pigs are dead, it is unwise to check 

 the abortion. Give any assistance that may be necessary and 

 allow nature to take her course. 



Much can be done to prevent abortion by proper care of the 

 pregnant animals to protect them from injuries and accidents that 



