188 RURAL VETERINARY SECRETS 



CANKER SORE MOUTH OF YOUNG PIGS 



Canker sore is a very serious disease, occurring from the time of 

 birth until a few weeks old, and unless attended to is either invariably 

 fatal or stunts the pig's growth permanently. The disease will attack 

 litter after litter and would thus seem to be contagious in its nature. 

 Sore mouth, swellings of the jaw on which are light brown scabs, which 

 later show deep cracks are seen. The scabs and cracks are found on 

 the snout, extending over the head and even to the body and limbs. In 

 some cases an ulcer v^ill form at the end of the snout and eat away 

 part of the nose ; in other cases the ears may become affected and drop 

 off. Dullness, loss of power in the hind limbs, and a tendency to walk 

 on the fetlocks, disinclination to move and humping the back are fre- 

 quent symptoms. If made to walk will squeal as if in pain ; pigs refrain 

 from suckling. 



TREATMENT 



The treatment is simple and effective if thoroughly done. The 

 young pigs should first be attended to by dipping in over the head, in 

 either of the following solutions, care being taken not to hold them too 

 long under water and thus drown them : 



A. Permanganate of Potash — 1 ounce. 

 Water — 1/2 gallon. 



This solution is practically non-poisonous and may be used fear- 

 lessly. 



B. Creolin — 1 ounce. 

 Water — 3^ gallon. 



The treatment should be given three times at intervals of two or 

 three days. Remove the dirt from the snouts of the pigs as much as 

 possible, so as to economize in the use of the drugs. The sow's udder 

 should be washed, a few times with one of the solutions. Should ulcers 

 form as described, touch them with a piece of silver nitrate or apply 

 a little butter of antimony, with a small swab. Disinfect the far- 

 rowing pens with hot carbolic lime wash. This trouble is entirely 

 different than that caused by the tushes of the young pigs, with 

 which it is confused by so many pig breeders and farmers. A dose 

 of raw linseed oil or Bovolax will be of benefit to give the sow. 



