As to diet, if it is only a slight case, a light meal of bread or crushed biscuit with gravy or milk may be given three or four times a day.
A coat covering the chest; useful in cases of distemper to keep the chest warm, especially when lung affected
For a change, a little well-boiled fish with rice, or sheep’s head broth and rice, or bread. Milk may be given freely to drink.
In all cases of distemper it is important to keep the eyes free of discharge by cleaning or bathing them frequently with some warm boracic lotion, made by dissolving half a teaspoonful of boracic acid in half a pint of warm water. When the discharge is very free and continues, in addition to keeping them clean with this lotion a little of the following may be run on to the eyes, especially on the inside of the lower lid:—
The Lotion for Eye:
| Chinosol, | 3 grains. |
| Water to | 6 ounces. |
To be applied three times a day after cleansing with the boracic.
In severe cases where the discharge is very profuse and offensive, a little powdered iodoform may be dusted over the front of the eye two or three times a day. If ulcers form they are to be treated the same way: and if the eyes are very painful, add to every half-pint of boracic lotion four grains of hydrochlorate of cocaine.
As the dog recovers from distemper, and the discharge ceases, if there is any opacity of the corners left, the following ointment should be used:—