Anæmia:
Symptoms: Mouth and eyes pale, caused by deficiency in quantity and quality of the blood. Loss of condition, often great thirst, constipation. The dog is very languid.
Treatment: Good food—plenty of under-done or raw meat, also milk. The arsenic and iron pills recommended for eczema. If there is constipation, add from two to twelve grains of rhubarb to each dozen pills. When the stomach is very irritable, from a half to three grains[1] of reduced iron may be tried alone. The dose should be given three times a day with the food.
Anæsthetics:
The best way to administer chloroform is by one of Krohne & Sesemann’s inhalers. When this is used, it is almost impossible to have any bad results, as the chloroform is given so slowly. Failing one of these appliances, it may be given on a napkin folded so as to make a pouch in which the nose should be put; but it is necessary to muzzle the dog before commencing, otherwise he will be sure to bite the operator. In giving chloroform it is necessary to commence with very small quantities; about twenty[1] drops to half a drachm should be poured inside the pouch formed in the napkin, and then placed over the dog’s nose. This should be repeated every two or three minutes until the dog lies quietly, and the eye is insensible to the touch. When a dog is under the influence of chloroform it is most important to watch the breathing, and if it becomes very slow, discontinue giving the chloroform immediately. If the breathing stops, remove the muzzle, draw the tongue out as far as it will come, and hold to the nose, on a piece of lint, a few drops of strong ammonia, and resort to artificial respiration. Dogs always struggle very much against taking chloroform, therefore one should always be prepared with one or more assistants to hold the dog securely whilst it is being administered.
If the patient is an old one, instead of giving pure chloroform, give a mixture consisting of equal parts of chloroform, ether, and alcohol mixed together, given in the same way as chloroform, or pure ether may be given. In this case it is necessary to give this anæsthetic very freely, the dog being muzzled. A dessertspoonful, or tablespoonful, should be poured on a napkin, and held tightly over the dog’s nose. This quantity should be repeated every few minutes until the dog is insensible.
A Simple Way of giving Chloroform
Cocoa, coffee, or other cans with holes punched round and tied over muzzle. A—Hole in the upper part of can to pour anæsthetic.
Another good way of giving chloroform, or the compound mixture mentioned, when a proper apparatus is not at hand, is out of a round tin canister, perforated round the sides to allow plenty of air to be mixed with the chloroform. At the bottom of the canister a piece of sponge or lint should be fixed, on which the chloroform should be poured. More of the anæsthetic as required may be syringed through one of the lower holes. The tin can be fastened on the nose by tapes, which should be passed behind the ears and tied.