Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 January 1913 — TREATMENT OF INTESTINAL WORMS IN HOGS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

TREATMENT OF INTESTINAL WORMS IN HOGS

By R. A. Craig,

Chief Veterinary Department, Purdue University Experi-

ment Station, Purdue University Agricultural Extension.

The worm that Is most frequently found in the intestines of hogs is the common round worm. It is yellowish white in color, from 6 to 10 inches long and tapering toward the extremities. When present in large number, this parasite forms twisted, elongated masses that completely fill the lumen of the intestine. In hogs that are badly diseased or dead, the common round worm may migrate from the intestine into the stomach, gullet, or liver. The thorn-headed worm is less com-' mon than the former parasite, but it is capable of producing severe irritation to the Intestines and marked nervous symptoms when present in large numbers. It can be readily recognized by the thorn or proboscis present at the anterior extremity of the body by which it attaches itself to the Intestinal wall. r The whip and pin worms are found in the large intestine and probably do very little harm. Heajthy, vigorous hogs seldom suffer seriously from intestinal worms. In young and unthrifty hogs immense numbers of worms may be found throughout the intestines. Wet years, muddy yards, undrained pastures and lots, and ponds are favorable conditions for the development of this class of parasites. Dirty drinking troughs, filthy feeding floors and crowded yards that are in continuous use are common sources of Infection. Preventive measures are of the

greatest importance in the treatment of intestinal parasitic diseases. These consist in avoiding conditions favorable to Infection in the pastures and pens, and by feeding and care keeping the hogs in a thrifty condition. A number of different drugs or mixtures may be given for the purpose of destroying the worms, or driving them out of the Intestine, but it is not advisable to feed such mixtures of drugs continuously, or “fake” preparations that we do not know the nature of. A jvery common remedy is one teaspoonful of turpentine for every 80 to 100 pounds live weight, given in a milk emulsion. It is best to repeat this dose daily for three days. San tonin 3 to 5 grains, and calomel 5 to 8 grains for every 100 pounds of body weight is a very efficient mixture for the destruction of intestinal worms. This mixture may be putt up in powders large enough for ten to fifteen hogs. If the hogs weigh 100 pounds or more, the minimum dose should be given, and pigs should be given the maximum dose per 100 pounds body weight. The drugs in this mixture are insoluble in water or slop, and it is best to use the following method in dosing the hogs with it. Divide the herd into lots numbering ten to fifteen. Put a small quantity of ground feed in the trough, sprinkle one of the powders over the feed and then turn the hogs into the pen and allow them to eat it. It is best to hold the hogs off feed for ten or twelve hours before dosing them.

Common Round Worms.