GENERATIVE ORGANS.—MALE.
These parts in the dogs are liable to various diseases, among the most common of which is a thick discharge, either of pus or of impure mucus. Petted animals are very frequently thus affected, and are a source of annoyance to those who lap them. In this condition they also offend the ideas of propriety, by paying certain lingual attentions to themselves without regard to privacy. The favourite is for these things repeatedly chid and thrust from the knee; but it cannot be instructed to forego the impulses of its nature, or of itself to restrain the symptoms of its affliction. Indeed, the dog is not to blame; the fault lies with the owner.
The generative organs, in the male of the canine species, are peculiarly sympathetic with the digestive functions. This is so with man, but in the dog it is much more strongly marked. If a dog become from bad food affected with mange, canker, sore feet, &c., the part is never cleanly. When, however, the animal is fat and gross, though neither mange, canker, nor other disease be present, the organ may, nevertheless, be a source of painful irritation, and beyond a little thin fluid about the opening of the prepuce, there will be nothing to attract attention.
In such a case the discharge originally is thick and mattery. It accumulates upon the few hairs that fringe the urinal orifice, and sometimes almost impedes the passage of the water. The symptom being neglected, the running becomes less consistent. The part is frequently erect, and the animal persists in licking it. The organ is now painful, and should be without delay attended to. If, however, no heed be taken of the creature's necessity, to which its instinct directs the proprietor's eye, swellings appear about the sheath, and blood is mingled with the exudation. Sores then appear externally, and the member becomes a mass of acute disease, often of a frightful character.
If, when the discharge first appears, the dog be taken on the knee, and its back being slightly bent, so as to bring the hind-legs forward—if, having the animal in this position, the sheath be retracted, so as to expose the glans, it is generally found to be inflamed. When the case is slight, the inflammation is confined to the base of the member, just around that part where the lining membrane is reflected upon the inner surface of the prepuce. As far back, therefore, as it can be exposed, a little redness may be discovered; but this will be so distributed as to convince us that the interior of the sheath is also involved. All the inflammation that can be detected will not be sufficient to account for the quantity of pus that is thrown out; and some persons have therefore allowed the disease to progress, imagining there was nothing present requiring to be treated. This is always a mistake. The lining membrane of the prepuce in these animals cannot be readily laid bare, and that part is always the most seriously attacked. The penis during health ought to be moist and of a delicate flesh color; it should not be wet, neither should it be in any degree red. The appearance ought to suggest the secluded situation to which the part is by nature assigned, and the sensitiveness with which it is endued. It should not denote uncleanliness or anger; but convey an idea of delicacy, and even beauty, to those who have good sense enough to appreciate nature's provisions.
When the want of early attention has allowed the structures to be seriously implicated, ulcers appear, which enlarge, and ultimately by uniting form a mass of sores. There is then often resistance exhibited when the part is touched, and cries declare the pain which pulling back the sheath occasions. The prepuce sometimes is not to be withdrawn, and the struggles of the animal are excessive when its retraction is attempted. There are then fungoid growths within, and the heat and tenderness denote the condition of the surface, which cannot without much violence be beheld.
All this suffering is to be traced to the misplaced kindness of the owner. Over-feeding is the cause; and, so far as I know, the single cause which gives rise to the serious aspect of this form of disease. Should it accompany debility, it is mild in its character, and as the strength returns it will disappear. Even in this last case, however, it would be more certainly, and with more speed removed, by a few simple measures which necessitate no vast trouble.
In its mildest shape, any astringent eye-lotion will generally answer; but the strength may with safety and advantage be increased.
| 1. | |
| Sulphate of copper or zinc | Five grains. |
| Distilled water | One ounce. |
| 2. | |
| Liquor plumbi | One drachm. |
| Distilled water | One ounce. |
| 3. | |
| Alum | Half a scruple. |
| Rose water | One ounce. |
Either of the foregoing will be of service; but before any of them, I prefer the subjoined:—