OCR Text |
Show mm DISEASED FEET OF CATTLE B Sudden Lameness Often Caused by B Small Scratch or Abrasion Keep B Animate Out of Mud., Mm (Br C. C. LIPP, Assistant Veterinarian, University Farm, 8L Paul, Minn. B It la not at all uncommon for cattle B to show a very audden lameness, B which on careful examination proves H to bo an abscess-like formation be- B tweon the hoofs. The starting point H Is usually a small scratch or abra- H ston of the skin, which offers a suit- H able avenue of entrance tor tho germ H causing the trouble. The germs live H In the soil, manure and other filth H about the yards and feed lots. Dur- H lng dry weather they cause very little H damage. When the yards are muddy, H or the stables unclean, tho growth of B germs Is favored,. At this time also B the continued action of the wet, foul R material makes the skin between the H claws tender and easy to Injure. An examination of the lame foot H will usually reveal swelling and ten- B derness. If the space between the BB claws be cleaned out, the skin abra- B slon Is usually plainly evident. Some- B times there Is a thick cheesy covering B of grayish pus over the surface of the BB sore. At other times the pus may bur- BB row beneath the skin, and even form' BB pockets that are filled with thla BB cheesy material. B Treatment consists In keeping the BB affected animals out of the mud and S wet manure for several days. Thor- BB ough cleansing of the part with any B of the coal-tar dips, using five tea- BB spoonfuls per pint of water once dally, BB Is very necessary. All the loose BB shreds of skin should be cut away and BB pus pockets well drained. In mild BB cases, the application of plno tar BB proves a very effective treatment. BB Tho severer form should receive, in Bl addition to a thorough cleaning, a fl dressing of equal parts of Iodoform and boric acid under a bandage for several days. Taken In time and vlg- flfl orously and persistently treated, heal Bfl lng should not bo prolonged beyond a fl week. If left alono, some cases soon Bfl assume the most severo type, which H means delayed healing and more H bandaging and dressing. |