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.