CARE OF STOCK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 April 1938, Page 3

CARE OF STOCK

KNOWLEDGE OF TEMPERATURES DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT. Stock owners are frequently required to diagnose and treat sick animals, and, from their constant observation of stock in good health, are quick to notice any abnormal behaviour due to sickness. A knowledge of the normal temperatures, pulse, and respiration rates of various animals is most valuable in arriving at a correct diagnosis of the trouble. The temperature of all young animals is somewhat higher than that of older animals, and various influences —such as periods of oestrum (heat), time of day, external temperature, and so on—may alter the temperature of the mature animal. The temperatures of healthy farm animals are: Horse, 99.5-101 degrees; cow, 100-101 degrees; sheep, 103 degrees; pig, 102.’ degrees. The temperature of an animal is usually measured in the rectum, and a self-registering thermometer, such as is commonly used in ordinary medical o'r nursing practice may be used. Care should be taken to see that the column of mercury is shaken down. A small quantity of vaseline smeared on the bulb as a lubricant to assist the passage of the instrument is desirable, and it is inserted with a circular motion between the fingers, forward in a line with the backbone, and allowed to remain for a few minutes before it is withdrawn carefully and the reading taken. DANGER POINTS. If the temperature of an animal is found to be about 2.5 degrees above normal, it is said to have a low fever; if it reaches the vicinity of 4 degrees above normal a moderate fever is indicated, and if in the neighbourhood of 6 degrees above normal it has a high fever. In some cases, such as tetanus and sunstroke, the temperature may be as much as 10 degrees above normal. Having decided by use of the thermometer whether the sickness is of a febrile (pertaining to fever) or sunfebrile nature, treatment and nursing must be considered. Good nursing is of the utmost importance. The patient should be provided with a soft bed. shade from sun, wind, or rain, and a rug in cold weather. A supply of water and green feed should also be provided if possible. Medicines arc usually administered by the mouth in the form of a drench, and it is necessary to use care and patience when using this method. The head of the animal should not be raised above a horizontal position, and only small quantities of the drench poured into the mouth at a time, allowing time for swallowing. Pinching the throat to induce swallowing should not be practised, and the head should be lowered if the patient commences to cough.