Treatment.—The treatment should be constitutional as well as local. Place the animal in clean, well-ventilated quarters; feed good nourishing food, which is quite important. The following prescription is very beneficial in suppressing the secretion from the nostrils: Ferri Hypophosphitis, five grains; Quinine Sulphate, three grains; Pulv. Nux Vomica, two drams; Arsenous Acid, one-half grain. Make into twelve capsules and give one capsule two or three times a day. Give inhalations of steam from hot water and Oil of Eucalyptus for one-half hour twice daily. Permit the dog to exercise if the weather is favorable. If constipated give rectal injections and feed laxative food. Avoid giving physics in Catarrh, especially if there is fever present.
CHOREA
(St. Vitus Dance)
Cause.—Due to an irritation of the nervous system. It is especially associated with debility, although it may follow constitutional diseases, such as Distemper, etc. It is sometimes caused by a direct injury to the brain or spinal cord.
Symptoms.—A continuous twitching of the muscles which is noticeable even though the animal sleeps. The muscles of the head may be affected, or those of one or both fore limbs or of a hind limb. An animal affected with Chorea will show an unsteady gait when walking and usually becomes very poor, although it will have a very good appetite at all times.
Treatment.—In severe cases the dog will not, as a rule, respond to treatment. In milder cases, if taken in hand early, improvement may be brought about, but seldom a complete recovery. Many drugs have been tried in the treatment of Chorea, but the superiority of one medicine over another has not been practically demonstrated. Fowler’s Solution of Arsenic given in from two to eight drop doses has been tried in a large number of cases and in my experience it has given the best results. The drug should be given at first in small doses and gradually increased as tolerance is established. If the physiological action of the Arsenic becomes manifested it should be discontinued for a few days. In severe cases, Sedatives are indicated. Of these, either Bromide of Potassi or Sodii should be given in ten to twenty grain doses, prepared in gelatin capsules and administered three or four times a day. Attention to the digestive organs and to the diet is necessary during the treatment. If the dog is constipated one or two tablespoonfuls of Castor Oil should be administered. Feed nitrogenous food that is easily digested and provide comfortable sleeping quarters.
COLIC
Cause.—Worms, indigestible or decomposed irritating food, compaction or obstruction, calculus, strictures of the intestines or it may be due to liver complication and animals swallowing sharp bones, etc. Several forms of poisoning may produce Colic.
Symptoms.—The dog evinces severe abdominal pain, usually with constipation and often vomiting. As a rule, there is no fever or quickness of the pulse. The pain, which is spasmodic, is relieved on pressure as the dog prefers to lie on his abdomen in many instances. The dog frequently eats green grass as this causes him to vomit, which is nature’s method of relieving the digestive tract of irritating material.
Treatment.—In cases which are not very severe, the application of hot cloths to the abdomen frequently affords relief. Ginger, ten to twenty grains, dissolved in a teaspoonful of water may relieve a mild attack, but when the above treatment fails the following is recommended: Fluid Extract of Cannabis Indica, one dram; Chloroform, one dram; Tincture of Capsicum, ten drops; Oil of Peppermint, ten drops; Morphine, three grains; water, quantity sufficient to make one fluid ounce. Give ten to fifteen drops every hour, if necessary. A physic is indicated in the majority of cases of Colic for the purpose of removing irritants or obstructions from the intestines. Calomel, one to two grains, is a very efficient drug, while Castor Oil is given with great difficulty and it should be administered only where diarrhoea is a complication of Colic. Rectal injections of warm water is very beneficial in the treatment of intestinal obstructions. It is good practice to give a dog some vermifuge after an attack of Colic, as worms frequently produce it.