TEXAS FEVER.
Cause.—Due to a micro-organism (Pirophalasna Bigenium) which imbeds itself in the red blood corpuscles. This disease is transmitted or scattered by means of a tick which drops from the affected animal. The disease has various names, according to the locality in which it appears. Among them are: Spanish Fever, Red Water, Black Water, Red Murrian, Australian Cattle Tick Fever, etc.
Symptoms.—Loss of appetite. The animal ceases to ruminate or does not chew the cud, and every sign of unthriftiness is displayed; a high temperature, and when the animal is standing the back is arched, but the animal however, prefers to lie down most of the time and shows desire for solitude. The urine is very dark in color, hence the name “Red or Black Water.” The disease is usually fatal, the animal dies within a few weeks.
Treatment.—My advice is, when this disease once develops, or an animal shows any of the particular signs that I have mentioned, examine carefully and immunize by the use of serums, disinfectants, etc.