reveal two tiny blood spots about 1 ½ cm apart . By the afternoon the entire leg is usually swollen down to the coronet . The heartrate of the horse is elevated above 40 per minute , but its temperature is normal . A few blood spots ( petechiae ) can sometimes be seen in the mucous membranes of the mouth and conjunctiva . By the third day , if untreated , two small hairless patches can be seen at the site of the bite and serum starts to ooze through the skin of the swollen leg . Later . the skin can slough off and the horse may become permanently lame . Although the venom itself is not fatal , secondary complications like gangrene can kill the horse . If you see the bite wound early , you can poultice it with Epsom salts ( two tablespoons put on to a flat piece of cotton wool , which is then folded and soaked in hot water and applied to the bite wound for about 15 minutes ). Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs ( NSAIDS ) and antibiotics should be injected by a veterinarian and the horse needs to be walked as much as possible , as soon as possible , to distribute the venom away from the bite and reduce swelling .
Treatment with NSAIDS should continue for at least three days . It is a good idea to put a stable bandage on to the affected leg to prevent swelling and the horse should be walked at least twice a day for a week . It should also not be kept stabled but put out in a camp during the day to exercise . If the skin has sloughed , more antibiotics are needed and the wound can be washed daily with an Epsom salt or table salt
PETS
A cruel , unnecessary ~ and illegal ~ practice
We humans don ' t have the copyright on body language : dogs use their tails for communication . A tail that is
From page 35 wagging quickly indicates a happy , friendly dog , whilst a tail that is being wagged stiffly , slowly and deliberately indicates a warning that a dog is feeling threatened or unhappy , and that he may bite or attack . All of which calls into question the archaic , barbaric , and illegal but continuing practice of tail docking . Further research suggests that
Continued on page 39
SNAKES solution ( a teaspoon per cup of boiled , warm water ) and bandaged , after covering the wound area with paraffin gauze . Recovery can take up to six weeks and the leg can remain permanently swollen , although the horse is no longer lame . Information by Dr Cheryl McCrindle , Donkerhoek Veterinary Consulting Rooms & Vetshop . Tel 072 974-4914
37 www . sasmallholder . co . za