born without eyes, squinting small eyes, eyelashes growing in. Hare lip,
cleft palate, pig jaw, deformities of the feet and limbs: particularly
the stifle joint, the patella being out of its place, and the leg
contracted or drawn up. Deformities of the chest: this condition is
common in Japs, but seems to do no harm. Puppies are sometimes born
without tails; though a good feature in schipperke and bob-tail sheep
dogs, one does not like to see a pug or a dachshund without a tail, and
when he is good in all other points, it is disappointing. A screw tail is
objectionable in all breeds except the bulldog, and some people object to
it in these dogs. Absence of one or both testicles.
_Treatment_: Many cases of deformity may be remedied by operation, but
in others there is nothing to be done. Inverted eyelids can be cured by
operation, an elliptical piece of skin and also the muscle underneath
being cut out immediately under the lower eyelid, when that one is
affected, or immediately over the upper eyelid, if it is that one that is
turned. The cutting is best done with curved scissors, and should extend
nearly the whole length of the lid. As the wound made heals, it draws the
lid out.
In-growing eyelashes must be plucked out with forceps from time to time.
Very often as the puppy grows older and stronger, the lashes assume a
normal position, and cease to be a trouble, but if they continue to
turn in after the dog is twelve months old, a similar operation as for
inverted eyelids is recommended, but in these latter cases it is not
necessary to divide the muscle, but only the skin. Squinting may be cured
by operation, but it is not recommended, as the defect does no harm,
and with Japanese spaniels, who often squint, it rather adds to their
quaintness.
In cases of unnatural small eyes, which often occur in fox terrier
puppies, an operation is not of any use; but with time, it may be
months, perhaps a year, the condition often improves. Matters are helped
by giving the puppy affected something to stare at, as, for instance,
placing his food for a time behind some railings, so that he can see
it, but cannot get at it. Anything, in fact, that attracts attention,
and causes the puppy to stare. A stuffed cat behind the railings does
for a change, a lump of raw meat or a bone. Hare lip can be cured by
operation, but in consequence of the position, it is difficult to keep
the edges of divided lip together after sewing them, as the puppy will
rub his nose on the ground if he has a chance, besides constantly licking
at the stitches. The operation should not be undertaken before the puppy
is three months old, and then just before operation a good square meal
of meat should be given; this will take some time to digest, and will
satisfy the puppy for a long while; at any rate, nothing more should be
given for twenty-four hours, by which time the healing has made good
progress, and for some days after the operation the puppy should be fed
from the fingers, piece by piece, certainly no dish should be given for
him to rub his nose in.
As to the operation, the edges of the split lip should be freely
scarified, and also be loosened from the gum by cutting through the mucus
membrane, then the two edges of the lip should be brought firmly together
with pin sutures, and a few layers of collodion painted over the external
part, and dusted over sparingly with powdered iodoform. It is not
necessary to give chloroform for an operation of this kind, a few drops
of a 4% solution of cocaine injected into each side of the divided lip is
sufficient.
There is no cure for cleft palate, and a puppy born with this condition
should be destroyed.
Pig jaw is incurable.
As to deformities affecting the feet, a dog may be born without toes, or
with only two or three toes; in such cases, of course, nothing can be
done, but sometimes there may be an extra toe. If a show dog, it spoils
the appearance of his foot, and interferes with his gait, and so must be
removed.
Dew-claws are not a deformity, but they are a useless appendage, and
should be cut off close to the leg about three days after birth; if left
they are a constant nuisance, either through being frequently broken, or
torn off at the quick, or else turning and growing into the flesh, which
causes a good deal of pain.
Nothing can be done for deformity of the stifle joint, it causes no pain,
though it renders the leg useless; but if the subject is a bitch, and
well bred, she may be kept for breeding purposes. A screwed tail may be
remedied, if not too badly twisted, by breaking, setting it straight, and
applying an adhesive bandage.
In cases of absence of one or both testicles in the scrotum, there is
nothing to be done. A dog with both testicles absent is useless for
getting stock, though he is able and will serve a bitch, but in cases
where only one is missing, it does not prevent such a dog being useful
for stud purposes.
=Delirium=:
_Symptoms_: Restlessness, constantly howling and barking. Dogs in this
state lose flesh very rapidly. Delirium is seen in some bad cases of
distemper.
_Treatment_: Unsatisfactory; bromide of strontia may be tried; from
two[1] to sixteen grains in water three or four times a day. Ice bags
should be applied to head.
_Diet_: Give easily digested food—as Benger’s with milk, kreochyle with
water, and well-boiled tripe or fish, with rice or stale bread.
=Destroy Dogs, How to=:
There is no doubt that the quickest and most painless way of killing a
dog is by shooting, providing it is done properly, and the man is a good
shot and can be relied on. The best place to hit a dog is either behind
the ear, or in the middle of the forehead; but there are many people who
don’t like an old favourite destroyed in this way. Personally, I don’t
like it. I consider a large dose of morphia, and then chloroform, is
better. At any rate, it does not seem such a harsh way of taking an old
favourite’s life.
To destroy a dog with morphia and chloroform, from half to two grains
of acetate of morphia[1] should be injected under the skin; then after
waiting until the dog is in a heavy sleep, chloroform should be slowly
administered. It is necessary to do it very slowly indeed, or else the
dog will wake up. In this case don’t place anything over the dog’s nose
at first, but pour a trifle on a handkerchief or napkin, and hold it from
six to eight inches away from the dog’s nose, then gradually get nearer
and nearer until at last you cover the dog’s nose over with the cloth.
The chloroform must be continued until the dog has _stopped breathing for
five minutes_.
The administering of half[1] to a dram of prussic acid is also a very
sudden and quick way of destroying a dog, but it is a debatable point
whether this causes acute pain. At any rate, the dog invariably cries out
loudly after it has been administered a few moments, and so he often does
when going under the influence of chloroform. However, death by freshly
prepared and strong prussic acid is very certain and sudden.
When administering this acid, one should be very careful never to stand
in front of a dog, for if he coughs while it is in his mouth, and some
goes into the eye of the person giving it, the consequences may be
serious, as it is most deadly.
[Illustration: FRENCH BULLDOG, CHAMPION SANSPAREIL.
Winner of 2 Firsts and 8 Specials. The property of the Countess Sponneck
Mayer.
_Photo. by T. Fall, 9, Baker Street_] [_face p. 60._]
=Diabetes Insipidus=:
_Symptoms_: Increased secretion of urine of a watery nature—great thirst.
For a time the dog’s condition does not alter, but if the disease is
not checked then he loses condition, the muscles waste, the legs become
thin, the ribs prominent, and the abdomen distended as the result of the
large quantity of water taken. This is a disease to which old dogs are
particularly liable.
_Treatment_: Limit the quantity of water given the dog to drink; for a
small dog, say half a tumblerful[1] to a couple of pints for a large dog.
Feed on dry food. For medicine, give from half a drop[1] to two drops
of Fowler’s solution of arsenic in water three times a day before food.
If this does not benefit the case, give from an eighth[1] to a grain of
powdered opium twice a day in the form of a pill. Treatment is often
unsatisfactory.
=Diabetes Mellitus=:
_Symptoms_: Large quantities of urine containing sugar are passed; great
thirst, voracious appetite, and gradual wasting of body. The tongue is
dry and parched, and is of a red-brick colour; coat stares, and the dog
looks generally unhealthy.
_Treatment_: Food containing sugar or starch must be avoided; meat given
nearly or quite raw is the best diet. As to medicine, though it is
practically an incurable disease, codeine does in some cases mitigate the
symptoms. Of this medicine, give from a twelfth[1] to half a grain three
times a day. After a fortnight or so the dose may be doubled.
=Diarrhœa=:
_Symptoms_: Frequent watery motions, which may vary in colour—white,
slate, brown, black, and sometimes green—accompanied very often by great
thirst and loss of appetite.
_Treatment_: In most cases a small dose of castor oil at the commencement
of the attack does good, and in many cases effects a cure. Should the
symptoms continue after the effects of the oil have passed off, give
from five[1] to twenty grains of carbonate of bismuth three or four times
a day before food, or the following mixture:—
_Recipe: The Mixture for Diarrhœa_:
Laudanum, 1 drachm.
Tincture of Rhubarb, 4 drachms.
Peppermint Water to 4 ounces.
From one teaspoonful to two tablespoonfuls[1] three times a day. Or the
following pills may be tried:—
_Recipe: Pills for Diarrhœa_:
Extract of Kino, 1 drachm.
Powdered Ipecacuanha, 12 grains.
Powdered Opium, 6 ”
Ex. cip. _q.s._
A sixth, fourth, half, or the whole[1] may be mixed and divided into
twelve pills. One to be given three or four times a day. If the motions
are very offensive, from two[1] to ten grains of salol may also be given
three or four times a day.
_Diet_: At first liquid, as milk, thickened with equal parts of arrowroot
and Benger’s food; after two or three days, raw beef cut up very fine may
be given alone or mixed with equal parts well-boiled rice; rice water
to drink. In chronic diarrhœa a liquid diet should be given for some
time, and in addition to the milk diet previously mentioned, home-made
beef-tea (with all fibrine removed) may be given slightly thickened with
isinglass, and the following mixture tried:—
_Recipe_:
Diluted Sulphuric Acid, 2 drachms.
Laudanum, 1 drachm.
Water to 8 ounces.
_Dose_: From a teaspoonful to two tablespoonfuls[1] three times a day.
When there is much straining accompanying the diarrhœa, it is a good plan
to give an enema consisting of one teaspoonful to two tablespoonfuls[1]
of thick-boiled starch, with from three[1] to fifteen drops of laudanum
mixed. When the diarrhœa is due to disordered liver, which is generally
the case when the motions are white or grey, from one[1] to six grains of
grey powder may be given at first instead of castor oil.
=Diarrhœa in Puppies=:
_Symptoms_: Very often the result of worms, but may be due to
indigestion, the result of improper or too much food. Motion liquid and
frequent, generally of a yellowish colour.
_Treatment_: If worms are suspected give Sherley’s worm tablets for
puppies, otherwise first give a small dose of castor oil, and after it
has worked off give from two[1] to six grains of carbonate of bismuth
every four hours. If the diarrhœa is accompanied by colicky pains give
also from two[1] to ten drops of paregoric in a little water three or
four times a day.
_Diet_: If the patient has been kept on a milk food, discontinue this,
and give scraped lean raw meat, a small quantity four times a day; but
when a meat diet has been given and the diarrhœa continues, then give
milk with Benger’s food or Plasmon. In very obstinate cases from a
quarter[1] to one grain of grey powder once or twice a day for three days
is often useful.
=Discharge from Ear (Canker)=:
_Symptoms_: The canal of the ear is red, inflamed, and painful; in slight
cases there is often a brownish discharge; in chronic and severe cases
the discharge is fœtid and generally purulent, and may be tinged with
blood. In these cases the ears are very painful, and the dog cries when
he shakes his head.
_Treatment_: In very mild cases cleaning the ears daily with a weak
solution of Condy’s fluid will often effect a cure; but if the ears are
inflamed after cleaning them the canal should be painted twice a day with
the following lotion:—
_Recipe: Lotion for Ears_:
Benzoated Oxide of Zinc Ointment, 2 drachms.
Almond Oil, 1 ounce.
Well mixed.
Each time before dressing the ears they should be carefully wiped out
with medicated cotton wool.
In bad cases, when the discharge is purulent, the ears should be
syringed morning and evening with two tablespoonfuls of methylated
spirits added to half-a-pint tepid water, and after letting the dog shake
his head, wipe the ears out as dry as possible with absorbent cotton
wool, and then fill with powdered boracic acid by the aid of a quill and
a piece of indiarubber tube attached. If this treatment does not cure,
then wash the ears out night and morning with peroxide of hydrogen—x vols.
Some cases of canker are very obstinate.
=Dislocations=:
_Toe, Dislocation of_:
_Symptoms_: The dog is very lame—in fact, cannot put the foot to the
ground; the joint is swollen, and painful to manipulate. If the injured
toe is compared with a sound one, it will be found that the lower bone
which assists in forming the joint that is dislocated sticks up much more
than is natural.
_Treatment_: As a rule, especially in a recent case, the reduction is
not difficult. The toe should be pulled straight with the fingers of one
hand, and with those of the other the projecting bone should be pressed
into its place. In some cases it may be necessary to give chloroform. A
padded splint extending from the back of the knee or hock to just below
the foot should be put on, and a bandage applied to prevent the foot
being used for a few days.
_Knee, Dislocation of_:
_Symptoms_: This generally occurs in conjunction with fracture of the
radius, but it may happen alone. The dislocation generally occurs
sideways, and the foot either turned outwards or inwards. The parts are
very painful, and soon swell.
_Treatment_: The reduction should be attempted as quickly as possible
after the accident, otherwise it will be necessary to wait until the
swelling is reduced, and this can be helped by the application of crushed
ice placed in a woollen bag and applied right round the joint.
It is best to give the patient chloroform before attempting the reduction
of a dislocated knee; and when the dog is well under the influence of the
anæsthetic the foot should be seized with one hand and pulled in straight
direction from above downwards, and with the fingers of the other hand,
during the pulling, the joint should be pressed into their place. As a
rule, in dislocation of the knee the ligaments of the joint are often
much injured, therefore when the reduction has been completed padded
splints and bandages should be applied, as is recommended for fracture of
the radius or arm, and be kept on for about three weeks.
_Elbow, Dislocation of_:
This does not often occur in adult dogs, but is not uncommon in delicate
puppies as the result of some violence.
_Symptoms_: Lameness, and if the dog attempts to put weight on the leg,
the elbow turns out. The joint as the result of the dislocation is wider
than the one on the other side, but there is not much pain on pressure,
as is the case of fracture at the elbow when the inner condyle of the
shoulder bone (humerus) is broken off.
_Treatment_: In reducing this dislocation chloroform is not necessary.
The arm should be flexed on the shoulder, and then by bearing pressure
on the head of the bone and a twist of the head of the bone inwards the
reduction is completed. The joint is to be afterwards fixed in its place
with strips of adhesive plaister applied as depicted in the illustration
annexed. If the bones cannot be kept in their place with the plaister, a
splint cut out of thin zinc and of the shape of the elbow joint must be
applied. The inside of the splint should be slightly concave to fit the
leg, and of course well padded before being put on.
[Illustration: How to bandage the foreleg for fractures and other
injuries]
_Shoulder Joint, Dislocation of_:
_Symptoms_: Lameness; pain at the seat of injury, which is increased by
putting leg forward; and some slight swelling, and the leg is perceptibly
shortened. When there is any difficulty in diagnosing the case, all doubt
is removed by making the dog stand evenly on both fore legs and comparing
the sound shoulder with the injured one.
_Treatment_: In all cases I have seen of dislocation of the shoulder
joint the head of the shoulder bone, which fits in a cup at the bottom
of the blade bone, shoots upwards—of course only to a slight extent, as
the bone is held in its position by strong muscles and tendons as well as
by the capsule of the joint. Chloroform having been given, an attendant
must hold the dog firmly by clasping his hands between the fore legs in
front of the chest, or by fixing a towel in a similar position; and then
the operator, seizing the paw with one hand, must pull the limb in a
forward and downward direction, and at the same time with the fingers of
the other hand press the head of the shoulder bone into its position. It
is well afterwards to put a wide bandaging on round the chest over the
shoulder joint, and keep the dog quiet for a few days.
_Hock, Dislocation of_:
This does not often occur except in conjunction with fracture at this
part.
_Symptoms_: The dislocation occurs generally sideways, and may be either
outwards or inwards, the foot being placed almost at right angles. The
joint quickly swells, and is very painful.
_Treatment_: The reduction is carried out in a similar way as advised
for reducing a dislocated elbow; afterwards the same kind of splints as
recommended for treating fracture of the tibia are to be applied with
bandages, and should be allowed to remain on for at least three or four
weeks, and even after this it may be necessary to support the joint with
a few strips of plaister for a time.
_Patella, Dislocation of_:
_Symptoms_: The patella is a small bone situated in front of the stifle
joint, and is more liable to dislocation than any other part, especially
in small dogs. With some dogs it is constantly slipping out of its place
when running along, and then after a few steps it goes back again of its
own accord. The bone almost always becomes displaced towards the inside
of the leg, the dog in some cases being unable to put his foot to the
ground; if he does attempt to put any weight on the leg, the stifle joint
bends outwards. There is little or no pain caused by this dislocation.
[Illustration: How to bandage the hind leg for fractures and injuries to
the stifle, &c.
A—Sticking-plaister Bandage
B—Linen Roller Bandage]
_Treatment_: The patella is easily returned to its place, but as often as
not it slips out again. The best way of reducing this dislocation is to
straighten the leg and draw the foot towards the elbow of the same side,
and then with the fingers of the other hand push the patella into its
place; afterwards, to keep it there, bind the joint with several layers
of Mead’s plaister as depicted in the illustration. The plaister should
be continued for some distance above the joint.
=Distemper=:
The first symptom of distemper is a rise of temperature—if a dog is dull
and off his food, take the temperature. It is best to take it in the
rectum, where the normal is 101 degs. to 101½ degs. F.; if taken under
the arm or inside of the thigh it is 1 deg. lower. If the thermometer
registers 2 or 3 degs. of temperature above normal, you may be sure there
is something wrong, and the dog should be isolated at once; and by doing
this the infection may often be prevented spreading. If the disease is
distemper, other symptoms will soon develop, as a husky cough, loss of
appetite and condition, and occasionally vomiting. The eyes are weak and
sensitive to light, and there is often a little gummy discharge which
collects along the edges of the lids; the breath is offensive, and the
teeth become furred. Diarrhœa may, or may not, occur. If the illness is
only some passing ailment, the temperature will soon be normal, and the
dog assume his usual condition. But the temperature, even in distemper,
after two or three days, may go down to normal; but do not be deceived by
this, and think the dog is all right, but look out for some of the other
symptoms mentioned, and if the dog is in for that disease they are sure
to appear, and the fever will return again in a couple of days or so.
People often think a dog cannot have distemper unless there is a
discharge from the nose; this is a mistake, but it certainly does occur
in most cases, though it does not appear as a rule until the dog has
been ill for some time. If the lungs become affected, the breathing is
short and quick, not panting with the mouth open; the chest is tender on
pressure. At first there is no cough, but after two or three days there
is a suppressed painful cough, with retching. The pulse is often much
accelerated, the beats varying from 110 to 140 per minute. In some cases
the pulse is very slow, and may only be 48 to the minute; of course,
this refers to a big dog. A pulse of this kind is worse than a fast one
with pneumonia. When it is between 60 and 70 in a small dog, it is also
serious with lung complications. The heart’s action in dogs is very
frequently intermittent even in health. The eyes during distemper are
often a source of anxiety, and in those dogs with prominent orbits, as
spaniels, pugs, etc., there is always an inclination for ulcers to form,
which are extremely painful.
The worst complications of all in distempers are those affecting the
nervous system; the brain and its membranes may become inflamed, and fits
follow, or the spinal cord and its membranes attacked, and paralysis
or chorea, or perhaps both, occur. These complications of the nervous
system may often be prevented by not letting the dog out too soon after
distemper. The temperature should be regularly taken, and the patient not
allowed to go out of doors or be excited in any way until the temperature
has been normal at least ten days. Sometimes suddenly changing the diet
from liquid to solid food will induce fits.
Occasionally in distemper a crop of pustules appears on the inside of the
legs and over the stomach—in fact, in some cases all over the body. This
is rather a good sign than otherwise, for they seem to relieve the system
of the distemper poison.
To treat distemper successfully, good nursing and dry, warm, comfortable
quarters for the patient are the two essential things. For outdoor dogs,
a loose box in a stable makes a capital place, and in cold weather the
temperature should be kept as near 55 deg. F. as possible. Dogs who are
in the habit of living indoors should be put in a well-ventilated room,
and the temperature kept up between 60 and 65 deg. F. It is a good plan
to cover the floor with sawdust, which should be changed at least once a
day, and oftener when necessary. The dog should not be let out of the box
or warm room for _anything_. Very often at first there are difficulties
with very clean dogs, but it can generally be overcome with perseverance.
Sometimes a little soiled straw from a kennel thrown down in the room is
useful. Some dogs may be taught to use a tray or box filled with sawdust
or mould. Directly a dog shows signs of distemper he should be sewn up in
a flannel coat to keep the chest warm.
As to diet, if it is only a slight case, a light meal of bread or crushed
biscuit with gravy or milk may be given three or four times a day.
[Illustration: A coat covering the chest; useful in cases of distemper to
keep the chest warm, especially when lung affected]
For a change, a little well-boiled fish with rice, or sheep’s head broth
and rice, or bread. Milk may be given freely to drink.