Of the symptoms of enteritis, colic and constipation, with a hard thin pulse, are the most prominent. Sickness is not present, or rather I have not witnessed it, at the commencement of the disorder. The extremities are cold—the eye has a stupid expression, the pupil being much dilated—the breath is hot, and the nose dry. The tail is drawn firmly downward, and pressed upon the anus; the urine is sometimes scanty, always high-colored; the tongue is rough and clammy, the thirst strong, and the appetite lost. The dog seeks darkness and privacy, and does not ramble during the early stage; it will stretch itself out either upon its belly or on its side, and I have not seen it sit upon its haunches. The abdomen is only of the heat of the body, which is generally of an increased temperature. Pressure appears to cause no pain, and the animal rather seems grateful for friction than to resist it. As the disease proceeds, diarrhœa ensues, and with it the signs of exhaustion and death generally are exhibited. Throughout the attack there is a marked disinclination to take any remedy; which is not always displayed by these creatures, and in no other disease is so violently exhibited. Dogs often become attached to those who minister to their complaints; many of them will appear to understand and appreciate the motives of him who attempts their relief. The poor things will frequently submit to operations, and lick the hand which has performed them. Eloquent are the appeals which they sometimes make to the feelings of one in whom they have placed their confidence; often staggering to meet him when he enters; looking upward into his face, and uttering low cries, which are more expressive than words could possibly be rendered. He who has had much to do with dogs must, if he be not insensible, grow to like them, and gradually learn to think these creatures possess both knowledge and reason. They will sometimes, without a struggle, swallow the most pungent and nauseous drinks; but such is not the case during enteritis. The brain in that disease is always sympathetically affected, the state of the eye, its peculiar expression and dilated pupil, denote the fact; and the manner of the dog would, without these indications, lead us to surmise the circumstance.
The treatment must be energetic. The sharp, short cries, characteristic of enteritis, as pointed out in the preceding description of colic, will be sufficient warning of the danger, and ample intimation that there is no time to be lost. A turpentine enema should be injected. The treatment ought always to begin with this, for to unload the rectum is of all importance. Afterwards, from one to four grains of calomel, with from half a grain to two grains of opium, should be shaken upon the tongue; and when ten minutes have elapsed, a draught of ether and laudanum and water, with an injection of the same composition, ought to be exhibited. While the cries last, the ether may be continued, and when the strength appears to fail, it may also be employed. Two hours subsequent to the calomel being given, from half an ounce to three ounces of castor-oil, diluted with half the quantity of olive-oil, should be used as a drench; and thrice during the day the following may be administered either as a pill or draught, in thick gruel, soup, or mucilage, at the option of the practitioner; who will, of course, be guided by the disposition of the patient, which in every particular must be considered:—
| Grey powder | Five grains to a scruple. |
| Powdered ipecacuanha | Half a grain to four grains. |
| Extract of hyoscyamus | One to eight grains. |
Bleeding is of some service, but the dog so quickly sinks, that it must be practised with caution. On this account, as well as for other reasons, leeches are to be preferred. If the patient be a male, they may be applied to the belly; but if a female, the side of the abdomen must be shaven, and that part selected. From four to twenty-four leeches will be sufficient; and half that number may be again used if no change for the better is observed, and the strength does not fail. Stimulating applications are likewise beneficial. A large mustard poultice has appeared to be more operative than more violent agents. After it has been removed, warm fomentations of water, with occasional ones of hot turpentine, may be employed.
In the early stage, a warm bath of 90 degrees, for half an hour, has been used with advantage; but the animal, when removed from it, must be wrapped well up in several hot blankets, and kept in them until it is perfectly dry.
On the second day from two to ten drops of the tincture of arnica, with half a drachm of the solution of the chloride of zinc, may be added to the ethereal drinks and injections, if the disorder has not been checked; and beef-tea, thickened with rice, may also be frequently administered, using it instead of water, both in the draughts and injections. No other food is admissible, and the return to solids must, if the animal survives, be very gradual.
Dysentery and Diarrhœa.—These diseases, which in works on human pathology are advantageously separated, I cannot here treat of as distinct disorders. In the dog they are so connected and blended that the line which divides them cannot be discovered; and for every practical purpose, they may be here considered as one and the same affection.
The young and the old are most liable to these complaints. Puppies are very subject, as also are aged gross favorites; things so fat that it becomes hard work to live are very generally attacked with diarrhœa. The pup, however, usually exhibits it in the acute form, whereas in the other description of animal it mostly appears in the chronic type.
When acute, colic may accompany or precede it. In proportion to the spasm will be the violence and the danger of the disorder. Sickness is mostly witnessed a little time prior to the attack, and the matter vomited has a peculiarly disagreeable and acrid odor. The dog does not again consume that which the stomach has thrown off, but sneaks away dejected, and afterwards seems dull. Sickness will occasionally continue throughout the complaint, but in general it departs as the disease appears. Thirst, however, is always present; and there is also a disposition to seek cold things and places. The pulse is quicker, but not stronger, and hardly at first less thin than during health. There is no pain on pressure being applied to the abdomen. The membranes of the eye are not injected; they may be a little deeper in color than is strictly natural, but occasionally they are the reverse. If, however, the anus be gently forced open, so as to expose the terminating surface of the rectum, the membrane there will be found more red, and perhaps less clear in tint, than it ought to be; and the presence of purgation, attended with a violent resistance to the administration of clysters, will leave no doubt as to the character of the affection.
In the chronic form, the membrane of the eye is pallid; the nose often moist; the breath offensive; the appetite ravenous; the pulse quick and weak; the anus inflamed; mostly protruding, and usually disfigured by piles; the fæces liquid, and of various hues; sometimes black, occasionally lighter than usual, very generally mixed with much mucus and a small quantity of blood, so that the leading symptoms are those of weakness, accompanied with purgation.