PREVENTION, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT v, 



feces and these enter sheep or cattle at pasture and migrate from the 

 digestive tract to the brain in about a week, where they form cysts 

 in a month or two. Dampness favors the vitality of the ova, so 

 that spring and fall are the seasons when animals at pasture are 

 usually attacked. Sturdy is apt to be enzootic, but there is not 

 any nasal discharge or sneezing as in false sturdy due to Oestrus 

 ovis. 



Symptoms. — There are two phases, i. When parasites first 

 enter the brain, young animals appear dull and stand immovable for 

 hours; they become blind and exhibit contracted or dilated, and 

 unequal pupils, with squinting. The gait is unsteady and the 

 animal may be unable to walk. The conjunctivae are congested and 

 the sheep may circle around (not so common as in 2nd stage), have 

 fits and stagger and die in stupor. Many recover and the majority 

 are not attacked but go on to the 2nd phase 3 to 6 months later. 

 Now the animal shows stupor, blindness and runs against objects 

 and exhibits the peculiar feature of the disease which consists in 

 moving in circles and spirals or rolling on the ground or staggering 

 and falling. There are usually one or two cysts, and sometimes 

 more, in the brain at this time. 



Treatment. — Tapping the cysts with trephine or trocar is 

 most effective, but exact localization of the cysts is usually impos- 

 sible. Localization of the cysts by means of the peculiar movements 

 is described in text books, but this is extremely difficult and im- 

 possible with several cysts. Rarely a softened or dull area occupied 

 by the cyst may be discovered on percussing the skull. Prophylaxis 

 is most important. This will entirely prevent the occurrence of 

 coenurosis. 



Dogs kept upon farms where the disease is prevalent should 

 never be given sheep's or cattle's brains to eat, and twice a year 

 should be starved 24 hours and then receive treatment for tape 

 worm, as powdered areca nut (2 gr. to the lb. live-weight), with 

 oleo-fesin of aspidium (Ttlxv) in capsules, followed by a dose of 



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