160 RURAL VETERINARY SECRETS 



BONE SPAVIN (Jack) 



Bone Spavin is a disease of the bones of the hock joint, an in- 

 flammation of the articular (joint) surface, as a result of which marked 

 lameness is usually shown, following which a bony enlargement is 

 thrown out at the lower part of the internal side of the hock joint. The 

 result of this disease often is stiffening of the joint. The more serious 

 bone spavins are those affecting the upper row of hock bone, situated 

 towards the front of the joint and affecting animals over six years old. 

 Coarse hocks may exist and if there is no lameness and both are alike, 

 should not be condemned. The causes of spavin are bad conforma- 

 tion, sprains, excessive work of the hind limbs, result of jumping, high 

 school work, tying in below the hocks. This disease is sometimes seen 

 in cattle and sheep. 



Spavin is in many cases easily detected. The enlargement being 

 accompanied by lameness, which is characterized by a shortening of the 

 stride, dragging of the toe, which is unnaturally worn as a consequence 

 of the lameness, which the horse will warm out of, but if stood up for 

 twelve to twenty-four hours, will show quite markedly. If recent, 

 there may be heat of the parts and no enlargement ; in fact, in that 

 form known as OCCULT (hidden) Spavin, no enlargement is shown 

 at all. 



EXAMINATION OF THE HOCKS 



To detect the enlargement the examiner should stand in front and 

 a little to the outside of the foreleg of the same side as the hock to be 

 examined. The hock should present a somewhat wedge-shaped appear- 

 ance, the base being upwards. By placing one's self in a similar posi- 

 tion by the other foreleg, the other hock is seen and a comparison made, 

 the only safe way to detect the enlargement. If suspected, the examiner 

 may flex (close the joint), the hock up tightly and have the animal 

 trotted off quickly, which if aft'ected, will limp perceptibly. The hocks 

 should also be felt with the hands, the oft' hock with the left palm, etc. 

 The treatment is preventive and curative, the former by avoiding the 

 use of spavined sires or dams, by proper shoeing and avoidance of too 

 heavy loads. The curative consists in reducing the inflammation by 

 giving rest, warm fomentations, a high-heeled shoe, and l-.lk's Absorb- 

 ing Ointment, and if that fails, ihe firing iron and blister, which should 

 be left to the veterinarian. Ne\er apply strong acids to eat out the 

 b(»iie. .See illustration, Vig. No. 33. 



