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Hoove

Categories: Diseases and their Remedies

Hoove, or blown, so common, and often so speedily fatal in cattle, is

the result of fermentation in the rumen, or paunch, in consequence of

the animal's having eaten large quantities of wet grass, luxuriant

clover, turnips, etc. An accumulation of gas is the result of this

fermentation, which greatly disturbs the haunch and left side of the

belly, causing much pain to the animal, and frequently threatening

suffocation.
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Treatment.--Drench the animal with one ounce of spirits of hartshorn

in one quart of water, the object being to neutralize the gas which is

present in the rumen; or, two ounces of table salt dissolved in one

quart of water will be found very effectual. If these do not speedily

give relief, an active purge should be given. Injections of soap and

water should be freely used. If the case still proves obstinate, and the

life of the animal is threatened, the paunch should be punctured. For

this purpose, the trochar--an instrument specially adapted--should be

used; but, in the absence of an instrument, an ordinary pocket-knife may

be employed, taking care not to make a large opening. The proper point

to operate is midway between the last rib and the prominent point of the

hip-bone, about twelve inches from the centre of the back or loins. Few

cases have a fatal termination where this operation has been properly

performed.



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