This disease rarely occurs as an idiopathic affection, but it is commonly met with in the ox in the chronic form. It may be brought on by the animal being highly fed without receiving any exercise, or sudden change from bad to good nutritious food. This causes a great and undue secretion of bile, whereby the glands of the organ become engorged with blood, and as a result inflammation is set up.

Symptoms

The animal is dull and listless, but indicates no startling evidence to guide one to the conclusion that the pain is severe. The skin is hard, rough, and itchy, the appetite is wholly suspended, the visible mucous membrane - that is to say, the linings of the eyes and nose - are of a reddish-yellow colour. The tongue appears dirty and foul; small quantities of feces are passed, they are often dark and glassy; at other times the excrement is of a white clay colour possessing a very disagreeable odour: this appearance is due to the secretion of the bile being arrested. If the peritoneal coverings become implicated the fibrile symptoms are very severe; dropsy is frequently the result, great emaciation ensues, and filially death claims the sufferer as his own.

Treatment

Endeavour to relieve the bowels by administering an active aperient as speedily as possible, allow plenty of water with nitre in it to drink, apply hot fomentations to the region of the liver, or put the dog in a nice warm bath, or apply a smart active blister, composed of mustard and acetic acid. These agents are generally handy, and require little preparation further than to mix together until you acquire the proper consistence. Avoid stimulating food of every description, and otherwise attend to the patient's comfort. If the bowels are obstinate and difficult to move, an injection will be of material assistance in this complaint.