A SICK ANIMAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4733, 4 August 1924, Page 3

A SICK ANIMAL.

TO ACCURATELY DIAGNOSE. POINTS TO BE NOTED. Before an accurate diagnosis can De made in any case of disease there are certain signs and symptoms which must always be looked for—especially so by an amateur, or if a letter asking for advice is sent to a veterinarian. Because he cannot be there and. see the animal the fiarmei has to take the place of his eyes. Even when treating animals thenaslves farmers? should endeavour to make as accurate a diagnosis as they can, as otherwise they may only aggravate the disease by the treatment. As an example, writer recently saw a cow which had pneumonia. The dairyman thought it wa<- indigestion and gave it a drench. The cow got most of it .on the lungs—and it died. Now, if tha. man bad only stopped ,to think, to look, and to reason, the cow might have been alive to-day. Even if he had taken the temperature of the animal he might have been put on the Xi'sck These, then, are the points to look for and to describe: In the case of a mare or cow if ithas recently foaled or calvei-if the "cleanings” have come away, if the udder appears normal, if there is any discharge - which is offensive or abnormal from the vagina. In- general, cases the temperature should be taken (in the return), if possible—or notice if the npse is hot and dry or moist and cool. tice if the animal is restless or quiet, ; whether it passes its -urine or manure and what they are like—if the animal is bloated or ‘‘tucked up”—if the eye is bright or sunken and inflamed. Take the pulse if possible. Note if the animal can swallow food and drink normally, if there is a cough, if there is any swelling anywhere, gee what the appetite is like. Particularly take notice of the respiration—whether the animal is breathing quickly or solwly, and with its chest or its abdomen. • Get the animal to move and notice its action. When you have done all these things, sit down to think, and, if needing advice, write down as many of the abnormal points together with the age and recent history, of the case as you can. You may then get a fairly accurate diagnosis. A man who writes, “My horse is lame in front —can you tell me what to do is expecting too much, but such queries often do reach us poo' unfortunate veterinarians, and we are expected to give accurate advice !_The Dairyfarmer.