TREATMENT.—Keep the affected parts clean as possible, if there is extreme inflammation present. Apply hot poultice made from bran or flaxseed meal. When the inflammation subsides, apply Zinc Ointment twice daily. Before each application of the ointment, wash with Warm Water and Castile Soap. Feed carrots, green grass, if possible, also hot bran mashes or steam rolled oats each morning. Sometimes it is well to give a physic, and I would recommend Aloin, one and one-half drams; Ginger, two drams. A physic has very good effect in reducing the swelling of the legs.
The art of animal dentistry has been abused by the owners of stock allowing the services of irresponsible men in the veterinary profession, who do not look to the betterment of the animal’s condition. The owner of the animals, not being able to see the condition of the animal’s teeth for himself, is persuaded into having the animal’s teeth worked on regardless of whether it is needed or not. The quack or transient veterinarian will pull and crack healthy, sound teeth, and lacerate the poor animal’s mouth.
HOW TO EXAMINE AN ANIMAL’S TEETH.—Perhaps the best method that can be applied in examining an animal’s teeth or mouth is by the use of a mouth speculum. There are several different makes on the market, and some can be purchased very reasonably and will give excellent service.
UNNATURAL CONDITION AND IRRITATION., ETC., OF THE TEETH.—After studying the anatomy thoroughly you will be able to see at once any abnormal condition of the teeth or mouth, which are as follows:
DENTITION begins at or soon after birth, and continues until the horse is five years old, and the animal suffers more or less during that time. The lower animals do not appear to suffer so much in getting their first teeth, but do suffer when getting their permanent ones, even more, perhaps, than the human being. Hence, we have dentition fever in the horse from three or four up to five years old—there is a weak pulse, impaired appetite, a staring coat, the bowels sometimes costive, and sometimes there is diarrhoea; he is not able to work, and it is hard to say what is the matter, unless the system is affected by the irritation set up by the teeth, for all of the organs appear to be in a healthy state. Such symptoms indicate that the temporary teeth are not being displaced in a proper way. The same applies to cattle. The food passes improperly digested, which may be due to the state of the teeth. It is well in such cases to examine the mouth, and if you find some tooth not properly displaced, the gums swollen, remove it—which you can sometimes do with the thumb and finger, or you may have to use the forceps, which we believe the best. Then give a laxative, feed on soft food, and the animal will soon recover.