HÆMORRHOIDS (PILES)
The dog, like other animals, is liable to suffer from piles, causing it considerable discomfiture. The disease may be external, or internal. External piles consist of enlarged veins, the result of a sluggish circulation, and are more frequently seen in ladies' lap-dogs, or those leading an indolent and useless existence. Internal piles generally cause bleeding and pain during defecation, and are often seen protruding during the latter act.
Exercise, a liver laxative, such as 1 to 4 of Carter's Little Liver Pills now and then, with the application of a little gallic acid ointment, constitutes the safest treatment that the amateur can adopt.
DYSPEPSIA (INDIGESTION)
Although the dog has remarkable powers of digesting such apparently insoluble substances as bones, etc., he, like most other animals, is a frequent sufferer from digestive disturbance, though this derangement of the digestive organs is certainly of more frequent occurrence amongst dogs leading inactive lives.
Probably the most frequent cause of dyspeptic symptoms are the various forms of worms, so prevalent amongst dogs.
Following this as a cause, decayed teeth are liable to provoke it, whilst prolonged feeding on unsuitable food, over, under, and irregular feeding, are equally fruitful sources of mischief to the digestive apparatus.
General unthriftiness, want of energy, and a morbid appetite, together with foul breath, are the leading features of disordered digestion.
It must be borne in mind, however, that the digestive organs are frequently in a perverted condition through disease in other parts, such as the heart, kidneys, liver, etc., and can only be regulated for proper assimilation when treatment is directed towards the mischief, in connection with any of the foregoing organs.