In some instances, especially of toy bulldogs, the inspirations are so difficult that if a dog gets much excited it may fall over partly asphyxiated. In these cases the heart is always weak.
Treatment: The principal thing to do in these cases is to give a diet composed entirely of raw meat, cut up in small pieces, given three times a day, so as not to overload the stomach at any time. Also after each meal give from one[1] to seven drops of tincture nux vomica, according to the size of the dog, in a little water, immediately after food, or for a change, from three[1] to six grains of lacto-peptin.
In some cases I have attempted to relieve these distressing symptoms by an operation, that is by removing the false palate, but it has not been altogether a success, though I have sometimes thought it has given some relief. Of course an operation of this kind must be done under the influence of chloroform.
Bronchitis:
Symptoms: Severe and frequent coughing, difficult breathing, rattling of phlegm in windpipe. In bad cases, dog unable to lie down.
Treatment: Place in fairly warm room, and keep a kettle going to moisten air. When breathing very difficult and the throat seems full of phlegm, give an emetic.
Recipe:
| Hydrochlorate of Apomorphia, | ½ grain. |
| Water to | 1 ounce. |
Dose: Half[1] to two teaspoonfuls; repeat in one hour if it has not caused vomiting. When sickness stopped, commence following mixture:—