Constitutional Skin Diseases
Eczema—Boils—Herpes—Nettle-rash
ECZEMA
This is a very common complaint, indeed much more so than need be if proper attention were paid to the feeding and exercising of dogs.
That eczema is of a hereditary nature there seems abundant evidence to prove, the progeny of eczematous parents predisposing the offspring to suffer—when the exciting cause comes into play—in a like manner. Derangement of the digestive organs and impaired nerve force must be reckoned as chief amongst such causes.
Sarcoptic mange and certain other parasites are of course capable of producing eczema, but this is chiefly mechanical irritation, ceasing with the destruction of the irritant.
Not so, however, with eczema of a constitutional nature, the irritation requiring internal medication for its subjugation.
Eczema is denoted by the appearance of one or more patches of inflamed skin, and unless checked, the whole of the skin may become inflamed, the hairs broken and shed, reducing the dog to a condition of misery and suffering.
Any portion of the body or extremities are the seats of eruption, but where the parts can be licked or scratched by the dog, the worse the zone of inflammation.
In the moist form of eczema small vesicles appear; the rupture of these and the dessication of their contents, along with scales, hair, etc., forms a scab or crust on the surface.
Many sporting (and other) dogs have a dry form of eczema known as Psoriasis, showing itself upon the points of the elbows and buttocks.
Here the patches are very intractable, the skin having a dry and leathery appearance.
Between the toes, around the eyelids, margins of the ears, are common situations for eczema to make its appearance.
Treatment.—This must be both local, i.e., applied to the diseased part or parts, and general, i.e., directed towards improving the constitution.
Plenty of exercise and a reasonable supply of good, sound, boiled flesh, mixed with bread, night and morning, will do much towards a cure.
Give a bath of sulphurated potash (2 ounces of sulphate of potash to 6 gallons of water) weekly, dry thoroughly and then dress the parts with sulphur ointment, or boracic acid ointment.
If the disease has spread more, or less, over the whole skin, dress with the following liniment.
| ℞ | Paraffin oil | 4 ounces |
| Sulphur flowers | 4 ounces | |
| Oil of tar | 2 ounces | |
| Olive oil | 30 ounces |
Mix. Wash off in six days' time, and repeat once every ten days until cured.
N.B.—A cheap oil (rape, colza, etc.), can be substituted for the olive oil, though these are all distinctly inferior for the purpose.
In addition to the treatment, give the dog a 5-grain blue pill, say once every three or four weeks, and have the following mixture compounded.
| ℞ | Liquid extract of sacred bark | 2 drachms |
| Acetate of potash | 1 drachm | |
| Ammoniated citrate of iron | 1 drachm | |
| Tincture of orange | 1 ounce | |
| Fowler's Solution of Arsenic | 80 drops | |
| Water to 8 ounces |
Directions: Give one tablespoonful night and morning before food. Several weeks' or months' treatment will be required ere a complete cure can be anticipated.
Mild cases of eczema are not difficult to bring under control, but those of long-standing demand perseverance. If skin scaly, use tar ointment daily.
BOILS
A common situation for these to make their appearance is upon or between the toes.
Frequently they are very troublesome, appearing and reappearing.
The best treatment is to poultice freely with hot linseed meal, and if at all tardy in healing, paint with Friar's Balsam.
Keep feet very clean, soaking in hot water at each time of removal of poultice.
Give a dose of Epsom salts, and don't allow dog to run about without a leather boot for a few days, or at anyrate until the sores have become perfectly healed. A little powdered boracic acid powder can be dusted upon the sore places. For drawing sores turpentine ointment is very useful.
HERPES
By this term we mean an eruption of vesicles or small blisters in groups upon an inflamed skin. These blisters are larger than those of eczema. It is not uncommon to see them around the lips during an attack of distemper, causing the mouth to become extremely sore and painful. In ringworm, the patch is of a kindred nature, though contagious.
NETTLE-RASH
This complaint is characterised by the sudden appearance of numerous wheals or elevations upon various parts of the skin, causing a burning and itching sensation, provoking the dog to bite and scratch the parts affected.
Generally these wheals disappear as suddenly as they came, though now and again some are very stationary.
The best treatment comprises the administration of a 5-grain blue pill and the application of a little vinegar and water to the irritable patches.