FOUNDER.
Inflammation of the internal, sensitive structure of the foot.
Cause.—Overfeeding, overheating, driving on rough, stony soil. Cattle compelled to stand on hard floors without exercise frequently suffer from Founder.
Symptoms.—The animals lie down a great part of the time. Feet hot and tender and if made to walk they do so with great difficulty. One or all four feet may become affected, although it is more frequently found in the front feet. The temperature is somewhat elevated, varying from 104° to 106° F., breathing very rapid, appetite fairly good and there will be great thirst. Founder in cows reduces the milk secretion, owing to the great fever that is present.
Treatment.—Apply cold packs to the feet, ice packs preferred. If the animal can be made to stand in a stream of water having a soft bottom, it, perhaps, is the best method of cooling off the feet. Give a physic of Aloin, three drams; Pulv. Gentian Root, two drams. Place in a gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun. To their drinking water add two or three drams of Potassi Nitrate three or four times daily. Animals suffering with Founder should be provided with soft ground to stand on, as their feet will be tender and subject to the chronic form of the disease.