Symptoms.—The first symptom revealed is a bad cold. The dog chills, the eyes become inflamed and a thin watery discharge oozes from them as well as from the nostrils, and, as the disease progresses, this thin watery discharge takes on a pus-like character, becomes thick, yellow, tinged with blood, sticky and very offensive in smell. The dog vomits and has a dry, husky cough, the temperature rises from two to four degrees above normal, the pulse considerably weakened, breathing hurried and labored and the dog walks around in a staggering stupor and may even go into convulsions. There is also a twitching of the muscles in many cases, as in Chorea, and this disease generally follows Distemper. In other cases, the dog will lie flat on the side, breathe with great difficulty, in a half-unconscious manner. This is a very unfavorable symptom, as lung complications have developed. Constipation or diarrhoea and even dysentery that is foul in odor may accompany this disease. The dog grows very poor, weak, the legs, nose and ears grow cold and clammy, and death follows. When the above described symptoms are present, the dog generally dies in from two to four days. If he lives through this stage, chances are that he will develop Chorea and be of practically no value.
Treatment.—As this disease runs its course in about eighteen days, good sanitary surroundings are very beneficial. Pure, fresh air, light, clean and comfortable place to lie upon are also necessary. Feed albuminous food, as raw eggs, milk, etc. Beef broth is very beneficial in many cases; also permit the dog to have free access to pure water at all times.
If vomiting accompanies the disease, the following prescription should be administered: Diluted Prussic Acid, nine drops; Morphine Hydrochlorate, ten grains; Bismuth Nitrate, one dram; water, quantity sufficient to make three ounces. Give one tablespoonful not oftener than six hours. This should be given a dog weighing forty pounds. Smaller or larger dogs should receive the same medicine in doses proportionate to their weight. When constipation is present, give two to four ounces of Castor Oil. The general medical treatment for Dog Distemper consists of the following: Quinine Sulphate, two drams; Potassi Nitrate, three drams; Zinc Sulphocarbolates, two drams. Mix well and make into twenty-four capsules and give one capsule every two or three hours. This dose should be proportionately increased in dogs weighing over forty pounds, or decreased for dogs weighing less than forty pounds. Of course a difference of five pounds should not be considered. Bathe the nose and eyes several times daily in a five per cent solution of Boracic Acid. When complications, as Chorea or Pneumonia develop, use the treatments as described under their respective headings.
ECZEMA
(Surfeit)
Cause.—Derangements of the digestive canal, dogs recovering from distemper, or a bitch after whelping, is predisposed to Eczema. Dogs exposed to a sudden chilling of the surface of the body, when heated, frequently develop Surfeit. Sometimes dogs confined to poorly ventilated, damp kennels develop Eczema, or Surfeit. In fact, any condition that tends to cause a sluggishness of the circulation produces impure blood, and eruptions of the skin naturally follow as a result.
Symptoms.—This disease generally affects the neck, back, inside the thighs, arms and the abdomen. The skin becomes red, painful to the touch, small pimples form and serum oozes from them. This gradually spreads and the skin becomes raw and ulcerated. The dog will continue to scratch and bite himself violently, producing further irritation, if not properly treated.
Treatment.—Internal treatment is just as essential as applications to the skin. Digestive and blood disorders must be eradicated before the outer surface of the body will yield to a treatment. Internally, give Fowler’s Solution of Arsenic, two to eight drops, three times daily in the food. The drug should be given at first in small doses and gradually increased as tolerance is established. If the bowels are sluggish, give one to three grains of Calomel. This will relieve any irritant in the alimentary canal. Feed food that is easily digested, as vegetables, Cod Liver Oil, etc. Beef Broth is beneficial, but a heavy meat diet should be discontinued. To the irritated surface of the skin, the following is soothing as well as healing: Zinc Oxide, one ounce; Pisis Liquid, one ounce; Mercurial Ointment, one ounce. Mix and apply sparingly once a day. Poisons are readily absorbed through the skin, therefore, be very careful when using powerful antiseptics over a large surface of the body.
EYE INJURIES
(Conjunctivitis)
Cause.—Direct or indirect injuries, as a blow from a whip, dust, sand or chaff in the eye, or may be due to extreme cold, or heat, or foul air.
Symptoms.—An inflammation of the superficial structures of the eye, with a partial or complete closure, and a watery discharge due to the overstimulation of the lachrymal glands, the fluid being secreted so abundantly that it is impossible for the tear duct to carry it away, hence there will be a continuous flow of tears running down the side of the dog’s face. The formation of a film or a scum over the eyes need not cause alarm if the eyeball shows no sign of being lacerated or punctured.