180 



NON-SPECIFIC OR GENERAL DISEASES 



consists in picking up tlie foot and holding the hock in a flexed 

 position for a few minntes. The foot is then dropped to the 

 ground and the animal moved off at a brisk trot. If the lameness 

 is more marked, it indicates that the seat is in the region of the 

 hock. This test is of greatest value in young animals. The 

 bony enlargement can usually be seen best if the examiner stands 

 in front and to one side of the animal. The hock should be 

 observed from directly behind as well. The hocks of both limbs 



should be compared, and the general 

 conformations of the other joints as 

 well. This may prevent the exam- 

 iner from mistaking rough hocks for 

 spavin enlargements or "■ a pair " of 

 spavins for rough hocks. A bony 

 enlargement does not always accom- 

 pany the lameness, and a spavin 

 may be present without the horse 

 going noticeably lame. 



Tlie prog7iosis is always uncertain 

 and should be guided somewhat by 

 the conformation of the limb, char- 

 acter of the work required of the 

 animal, position of the bony enlarge- 

 ment and the degree of lameness. 

 The size of the enlargement is 

 changed very little by the treatment. 

 Veterinarians report recoveries in from fifty to sixty per cent 

 of the cases treated. 



The object of the treatme^it is to destroy the inflammation 

 and bring about a union between the bones. The treatment 

 recommended is counterirritation and rest. The most satisfac- 

 tory method of counterirritation is firing followed by blistering. 

 Following this treatment, the horse should be placed in a stall 

 and given no exercise for a period of five or six weeks. It is 



Fig. 48. — Bog spavins. 



