ACUTE PAROTITIS 13 



ACUTE PAROTITIS 



Acute inflammation of the parotid glands, commonly 

 termed ''mumps," is a very common disease of cattle. 

 It is seen under all conditions of housing and at va- 

 riable seasons. The prognosis of parotitis in cattle, 

 (not due to actinomycosis), is very favorable and the 

 course of the disease is usually typical. 



Parotitis begins with a rigor in most cases. The 

 temperature may run as high as 106° F. in the be- 

 ginning. At the same time there is noticed a slight 

 fullness in the region of the parotid gland, from the 

 ear to the angle of the jaw. This fullness increases 

 rapidly until at the end of twenty-four hours or there- 

 about, there is a distinct, rounded swelling in the re- 

 gion. This swelling is very tender on pressure, and 

 the cow stands with the head extended in a line with 

 the neck. If the trouble is unilateral the head is held 

 to one side and partly twisted on its own axis. The 

 cow^ attempts to eat but finds deglutition very pain- 

 ful, and usually all feed is refused. In drinking water 

 much time is consumed in the act and, after a number 

 of swallows have been taken, the animal gives up the 

 attempt. If the swelling in the parotid region is very 

 extensive and reaches below the larynx and between 

 the rami of the lower jaw there may be a degree of 

 dyspnea. 



Ordinary cases yield to treatment in a week or ten 

 days. In other cases abscess formation delays the 

 recovery, so that in certain instances three or four 

 weeks may elapse before the case is completely cured. 



The best results in the treatment of this disease are 

 obtained from repeated injections of polyvalent bac- 

 terins. We give a full dose hypodermically every three 

 days until the case is under control. 



