146 DISEASES OF THE LIVER 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of the disease do not usually 

 attract attention until the later stages, and even then 

 they are rather vague in animals. In general they consist 

 in symptoms of chronic gastro-intestinal catarrh, with a 

 tendency to icterus. Impaired or capricious appetite, 

 periodical attacks of colic, especially after feeding roughage, 

 symptoms of immobility (stupor, forced movements, vertigo), 

 icteric or pale mucous membranes, loss of condition, hide- 

 boundness, and eventually emaciation are the symptoms 

 usually noted. In small animals, and in large ones if suffi- 

 ciently emaciated, it is possible to percuss out an enlarged 

 area of hepatic dulness (see larger works). In small animals 

 ascites and anasarca appear toward the end. 



Course. — The course is chronic and extends over months 

 and years. 



Treatment. — The treatment is usually of little value, 

 although some observers report temporary improvement 

 after using iodin preparations. 



Purulent Hepatitis (Abscess of the Liver) . — Etiology. — Liver 

 abscesses are not uncommon in calves and adult cattle, but 

 are rare in horses. They may originate in the following 

 ways: (a) Enterogenic infection due to pus organisms or the 

 necrosis bacillus from an infection of the portal system from 

 the bowel, (b) Embolic or pyemic abscesses, which are 

 formed via metastasis in strangles or pyemia, (c) Infection 

 through the umbilicus of newborn colt's and calves, (d) 

 Traumatic abscesses due to foreign bodies which penetrate 

 the liver usually from the reticulum and more rarely from 

 without, (e) Parasitic abscesses due to echinococci, distomes, 

 and other animal parasites which have invaded the organ. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms are very indefinite, and a 

 diagnosis is rarely made during the life of the patient. 

 Briefly they consist in fever, symptoms of indigestion, pain 

 on palpation, and the presence of bile pigment in the urine. 



Course and Prognosis. — The course is chronic and the 

 prognosis bad. 



Treatment. — Treatment in animals is of no avail. In rare 

 instances opening the abscesses has been attempted, but 

 with indifferent success. 



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