348 The Care of Animals 



In this, as in all other parasitic diseases, preventive 

 treatment is the better and more economical. Sheep 

 and lambs should be kept from infested pastures, and 

 (in localities where the disease prevails) away from 

 low. wet lands and stagnant water. As lambs acquire 

 the parasite from the pasture or the drinking place, 

 they do not contract the disease if they are kept housed. 



LUNG -WORM 



Lambs, pigs and calves are the animals most fre- 

 quently attacked by this parasite (Stronylxis filaria) , 

 although adults may be affected. It is seldom found in 

 other species of animals. There are several kinds 

 of worms that may attack the lungs, but the one men- 

 tioned is most frequent, and does the most damage. 

 It is closely related to the stomach -worm of the sheep. 

 The young animals usually contract the disease from 

 infested pastures, drinking places, troughs or pools of 

 stagnant water. 



The animals fall away in flesh and present an un- 

 thrifty appearance. They are subject to violent fits of 

 coughing and strangling, often raising frothy mucus, 

 which contains the small white thread-like worms, from 

 one -half inch to one inch in length. The coughing 

 increases and the debility becomes more marked until 

 the animal dies. Usually there is difficult breathing, 

 which is most marked when the animal is coughing, or 

 directly afterwards. 



If the animal is fat and in good condition, it is 

 often the most economical plan to sell it to the butcher. 



