Hygiene of Pregnant Animals 411 



vidual animals than the question of difference in species. We 

 have habitually seen pregnant mares, cows, sheep and pigs in the 

 same enclosure, without any special danger to either from the 

 presence of the other. 



It needs to be noted that at the time of parturition it is unsafe 

 to permit hogs in the enclosure where parturition is occurring, 

 since, being omnivorous, they may devour the new-born young, 

 and, should the parturient animal be exhausted or otherwise un- 

 able to defend herself, she too may succumb to the rapacity of 

 the hogs. This is especially true in cases of dystocia and still 

 more when prolapse of the uterus occurs. Fleming relates a 

 case of prolapse of the uterus in a cow in which hogs devoured 

 the prolapsed organ but amputated it so well that the animal 

 recovered. , 



On the other hand, it is a well known fact that some animals 

 take it upon themselves to annoy others, and even compromise 

 their lives, whenever opportunity offers. This is especially true 

 of mules, which sometimes have so meddlesome a disposition 

 that they constantly harry any animal which cannot resist them, 

 simply as a pastime ; to a less degree, the same applies to colts. 

 Again, we sometimes observe that a pregnant mare or cow is 

 exceedingly irritable toward her companions and consequently 

 it is sometimes unwise to permit a particularly ill-natured preg- 

 nant mare to consort with other pregnant mares, because of the 

 injuries which she may inflict upon them by kicking or other 

 violence. 



Surgical operations and medication sometimes offer dangers to 

 the pregnant animal and should consequently be undertaken in- 

 telligently. Serious surgical operations which are not urgent 

 should be delayed until after parturition, especially if they involve 

 the confinement of the pregnant animal. But this caution should 

 not carry us too far. Serious operations, with rigid confinement, 

 pain, fear, chloroform anaesthesia, loss of blood, subsequent in- 

 infection and fever, are repeatedly performed upon pregnant ani- 

 mals without untoward results. While suggesting caution, preg- 

 nancy should not be regarded as a bar to major operations upon 

 pregnant animals. Much will depend, in these cases, upon the 

 temperament of the individual animal. In one instance we dis- 

 horned a timid Jersey heifer, which was in an advanced stage of 

 pregnancy, and abortion promptly followed in a manner which 



