Treatment: Bathing in Pearson’s disinfectant fluid, diluted eighty times with water—that is, four tablespoonfuls to a gallon—is a good remedy, but it is necessary to continue the treatment for some time so as to destroy the young lice as they escape from the eggs. Another effectual remedy is bathing the dog in kerosene one part, separated milk six parts, well mixed together. But neither of these remedies destroy the nits. To do so it is necessary to mix either the Pearson’s fluid or the kerosene with oil in the proportions previously mentioned, and thoroughly rub it all over the dog and leave it on him for some days; in fact, it is advisable to repeat the dressing again four days later, and not wash him for a week.
To get rid of the lice entirely the kennels, also collars, leads, brushes, in fact everything belonging to the dog, should be thoroughly disinfected by fumigation and washed in a strong solution of Pearson’s fluid.
When a sick dog, as one suffering from distemper, is infested with lice, washing, of course, is out of the question at such a time. The only thing to do, then, is to use some effectual insecticide powder.
Penis, Growths on:
Symptoms: Dogs, especially those used for stud, and particularly bulldogs, are liable to growths on the penis. They are red in colour, and look not unlike a raspberry. The dog suffering in this way often has drops of blood at the orifice of the prepuce. These growths are contagious, and a dog suffering from them should on no account be used for stud purposes. The growths may not only be on the point of the penis, but may be situated far back.
Treatment: The growths should be removed by being scraped off, and the roots cauterised sparingly with a saturated solution of chromic acid, which should be applied on a thin stick. The caustic should be repeated in a week. It may be necessary to repeat it several times.
Pericarditis (Inflammation of the Heart’s Sac):
Symptoms: It is difficult to detect it in the dog. There is some pain on the left side of the chest, the pulse is quiet and small, the temperature is two or three degrees above normal, the breathing is short and quick, and there is a dry cough. If the heart be examined with a stethoscope, a friction sound is heard with each movement of the heart. When fluid collects in the sac, as it often does, the usual heart sounds are almost inaudible.
Treatment: Apply hot linseed-meal poultices to left side of chest, keep the bowels freely opened with purgative medicine. If temperature is very high, give the following mixture:—
Recipe: