Symptoms.—The appetite is depraved, the dog eats grass freely, and vomits often; colicky pains, persistent constipation and bloating, causing the dog serious inconvenience. He is irritable, dull and evidently out of sorts; his coat looks faded and feels rough; the temperature and pulse are not much affected; as a rule the breath is foul, the tongue covered with a whitish fur, loss of flesh occurs, and paleness of the skin.
Treatment.—Good hygiene, careful feeding of nitrogenous foods and regular exercise plays a very important part in the treatment of indigestion. First, endeavor to clean out the Alimentary Canal by the careful use of physics, as Calomel in one to three grain doses. Feed raw eggs, sweet milk, boiled vegetables, fresh raw beef finely chopped. Also give one tablespoonful of Cod Liver Oil two or three times a day. I have derived good results in the treatment of Indigestion by using the following gastric tonic: Pepsin, two ounces; Syrup of Orange, two ounces; Tincture of Columbia, five drams; Tincture Nux Vomica, one dram; Tincture Gentian, one dram; water, quantity sufficient to make six ounces. Mix and give one or two teaspoonfuls three times daily before feeding. In cases where there is great difficulty in the dog passing the feces, give rectal injections of soap and warm water.
JAUNDICE
(Liver Congestion)
Cause.—A sluggishness of the liver, or by the bile duct becoming obstructed by a Calculi (Gall Stone). Either condition suppresses the flow of bile into the bowels, hence the bile is taken up by the blood and causes the visible mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth to become yellowish in color. The predisposing causes are improper and overfeeding, combined with lack of exercise in house dogs, or excessive exercise in hunting dogs, exposure to damp, ill-ventilated sleeping quarters, producing debility, and liver complications are likely to follow.
Symptoms.—Appetite varied, thirst great, vomiting occasionally, the dog shows signs of dullness and sleepiness. Then there may be alternate diarrhoea and constipation, the tongue coated and foul in smell, the eyes, mouth, inside of the ears, and the skin inside the thighs and fore legs become very yellow and dry, temperature and pulse not much affected, the dog passes small quantities of dark amber colored urine frequently, due to the bile it contains. In severe cases, the dog loses strength and flesh readily and soon becomes a mere skeleton. Jaundice is often a complication of other diseases, as distemper, indigestion, colic, constipation, etc.
Treatment.—Endeavor to make the dog as comfortable as possible by placing him in quiet, clean, light and well ventilated quarters. If he is in great pain, apply hot applications over the seat of pain and administer Calomel, one-half grain; Podophyllin, two grains; Powdered Jalap, one dram; Powdered Rhubarb, one dram. Make into six capsules and give one capsule once daily to a dog weighing forty pounds; to smaller or larger dogs regulate the dose in proportion to their weight. The above prescription stimulates the flow of bile from the liver into the bowels, which is very important in the treatment of Jaundice. Tonics are also necessary, and I have found the following very beneficial in treating convalescing diseases, especially where the appetite is poor: Pulv. Ferri Sulphate, one dram; Quinine Sulphate, one dram; Pulv. Nux Vomica, one dram; Pulv. Gentian Root, two drams. Mix and make into twenty-four capsules and give one capsule three times daily just before feeding. This dose should be given to a dog weighing about forty pounds. Smaller or larger dogs should receive the same medicine in doses proportionate to their weight. Feed raw eggs, pure sweet milk, fresh beef finely chopped, cooked vegetables, beef broth, etc. Do not feed too large a quantity at any one time.
LUNG FEVER
(Congestion of the Lungs—Pneumonia)
Cause.—Frequently occurs when dogs are accustomed to warm, comfortable quarters, then exposed to cold, drafty kennels during cold weather. In fact, any sudden chilling of the body is a common cause of lung disorders. Giving fat dogs too much exercise when they are not accustomed to it is frequently the cause of engorgement and inflammation of the soft spongy tissue of the lungs. Excessive exercise or running during the hot summer months is apt to cause congestion of the lung tissue as well as heat stroke. Washing or dipping dogs during cold weather may chill the outer surface of the body and result in Congestion of the Lungs.
Symptoms.—Lung Fever follows as a result of a bad cold, and is preceded by the symptoms of the primary disease. If due to severe exercise, the animal appears greatly exhausted, and the congestion of the lung substance is marked and may occur at this stage of the disease. Lung Fever usually begins with a chill, and is followed by a high fever. The dog lies down most of the time, and eats nothing, or very little. The breathing is hurried and fast, but when the lung becomes badly involved it is labored. The character of the pulse beat varies, depending on the extent of the inflammation and the stage of the disease. In most cases the pulse beats are full and quick during the first stage, but later, as the condition of the dog improves, more nearly normal. A very weak pulse is present in severe and fatal lung inflammation. The visible mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth have a congested appearance, and there may be a slight discharge from the nostrils, reddish in color. The expression of the face is distressed and anxious, and in severe cases, rigors and chilling of the body occur. The respiratory sounds become more or less changed from normal. The cough is at first deep and dry, later loose and moist. It may be accompanied by a hemorrhage of the lungs during the first stages of the disease. Other respiratory sounds are revealed by placing the ear to the side of the chest wall and listening. In the very early stages of lung fever, a crepitating, or crackling sound can be heard in the diseased parts; and louder sounds than normal in the healthy areas. Later, when the engorgement of the lung substance occurs, and the air cells become filled by the inflammatory exudation, the respiratory sounds are deadened. On returning to the normal, rattling sounds occur. These signs aid greatly in determining the dog’s condition. The chance for recovery depends on the extent and acuteness of the disease. Careless handling, exercise, etc., lessens the chance for a favorable termination in this disease, and good nursing helps more in bringing about a recovery than the medical treatment. The chances are more unfavorable in fat dogs than in lean ones, as the inflammation is usually more severe in the former. The course of the disease is from one to three weeks, and it may become chronic if the irritation is kept up. In such cases, unthriftiness is a prominent sign.