subject to this disease. The dog shakes and scratches his ear; the parts
are inflamed; he often holds the head on one side, and in most cases
there is a thick brownish discharge. In many cases it assumes the form of
eczema, and dogs subject to this disease more often have attacks in the
spring and autumn than at any other time.
_Treatment_: The following lotion should be applied two or three times
a day with a camel’s-hair brush to all the red parts, and also down
into the ear as far as it will go. After a day or two the ear should be
cleaned out with some medicated wool twisted around the point of a bodkin
or anything of that kind.
_Recipe_:
Oxide of Zinc Ointment, 2 drachms.
Almond Oil, 1 ounce.
Well mix.
In addition to using the lotion, give the dog some cooling medicine, as
from 3 grains[1] to one scruple of sulphate of magnesia, and half the
quantity of bicarbonate of potash, twice a day with the food. The lotion
and medicine should be continued as long as the dog shows any irritation
of the ear.
In neglected cases of canker, ulcers form low down in the ear, causing
a mattery, offensive discharge. In these cases different treatment
is required. The ear should be syringed night and morning with a
tablespoonful of methylated spirits added to half a tumbler of tepid
water, and then after letting the dog shake his head, the ear should be
thoroughly dried with some medicated wool twisted around a bodkin, and
then be filled with some finely powdered boracic acid. This is best done
by the means of a quill attached to an indiarubber tube, the quill being
filled up by being dipped into the powder, and then inserted into the
ear, and deposited there by means of blowing through the tube.
Some of these cases are difficult to cure, but with perseverance they get
all right in time.
There is another form of canker due to an insect, which I call psoroptes
auricularis canis. This is a very minute insect, which collects in large
numbers in the canal of the ear, causing the dog to shake his head
frequently, and scratch the ear. The canal of the ear looks as if it were
full of dry grey powder, but if looked at carefully it will be noticed to
be full of very small insects, the size of tiny cheese mites, and they
will be seen running about as they are very active. This form of canker
is contagious.
_Treatment_: Syringe the ear thoroughly with a teaspoonful of Pearson’s
fluid added to six ounces of tepid water, then carefully dry, and anoint
with the following ointment.
The syringing should be repeated about twice a week, and the ointment
applied night and morning for a time.
_Recipe: The Ointment_:
Salicylic Acid, 10 grains.
Vaseline, 1½ drachms.
Carefully mix. Apply with camel’s-hair brush.
As it is very difficult to destroy the eggs of these parasites, it is
advisable, even after the irritation has ceased, to continue the ointment
two or three times a week for some time, so as to destroy the parasites
as they hatch.
=Ear, Cyst in the Flap of=:
_Symptoms_: Dogs with long ears are more subject to this complaint than
others. It is generally caused by a bruise of some kind. A swelling
forms on the inside of the flap of the ear, often extending all over the
surface. It is very painful, and the dog will hold the head on one side,
and cry out when touched.
_Treatment_: Often, if attended to immediately after it occurs, the
swelling may be dispersed by hot poppy-head fomentations, made by boiling
a couple of crushed poppy-heads in a quart of water for ten minutes,
and then straining. If the swelling does not disappear in a couple of
days, it should be freely opened on the inside at the lowest part—that
is towards the point of the flap. The wound must be kept open by being
plugged by a piece of lint, or inserting a small tube, which should be
fixed in with a stitch. The wound must be kept open for some days, or
else the fluid will collect again.
It is advisable in these cases to make the dog wear a cap as depicted in
the illustration, and if the inside of the ear sweats at all, dust it
freely with powdered boracic acid three or four times a day.
=Ear, Growths in=:
_Symptoms_: Cartilaginous growths occasionally form in the canal of the
ear, quite blocking up the passage. They cause great pain. The dog holds
his head on one side, and is constantly scratching his ear, and crying.
[Illustration: A cap to keep the ears at rest when required. It should
not be put on in cases of canker.]
_Treatment_: The only treatment is to remove the growths by operation,
which should be done as follows: Chloroform having been given, the
growth should be cut out as low down as possible with the points of
probe-pointed scissors. Then the roots should be thoroughly scraped with
a curette, and afterwards thoroughly cauterised with the thermocautery.
The dog suffers a good deal of pain for some days after the operation,
but it may be relieved by pouring a few drops of the following lotion,
which should be slightly warmed, into the ear three or four times a day.
_Recipe: The Lotion_:
Laudanum, 1 drachm.
Carbolic Acid, 20 drops.
Almond Oil, 1 ounce.
Carefully mix.
=Ear, Polypus in=:
_Symptoms_: This is a small pear-shaped growth with the pedunculated root
attached in the canal of the ear.
_Treatment_: This growth is best removed by torsion, as follows: Seize
the growth with a pair of forceps, and twist it round and until it comes
off. No further treatment is required, except keeping the ear clean for a
few days with some boracic acid lotion.
=Ear-Flap, Scurfiness of=:
_Symptoms_: Very often dogs, especially those kept in kennels, suffer
from a very scaly or scurfy condition of the edges of the flaps of the
ears, which causes the hair to fall off, and the dog to shake his head
frequently.
_Treatment_: Apply a little of the following dressing to the parts once
or twice a day. This will remove the scurfiness, and stimulate the
growth of the hair. Once a week wash the ears thoroughly with Cook’s 3%
mercurial soap.
_Recipe: The Dressing_:
Resorcin, 1 scruple.
Cyllin, 15 minims.
Almond Oil, 1 ounce.
Mix.
=Ecthyma=:
_Symptoms_: A skin disease, characterised by the formation of a number of
small pustules, which the dog generally breaks by licking or scratching,
and a running sore is produced.
_Treatment_: The part should be cleaned with a weak solution of Pearson’s
disinfectant fluid, or with a teaspoonful boracic acid in half a pint
of water, then gently dried with a soft cloth, and the following lotion
applied and repeated often:—
_Recipe_:
Prepared Chalk, 2 ounces.
Wright’s Solution Coal Tar, ½ ounce.
Lime Water to 8 ounces.
Well shake before using.
Treat dog for worms, and give following pills:—
_Recipe_:
Arsenious Acid, ½ grain.
Reduced Iron, 40 grains.
Sulphate Quinine, 12 grains.
Extract Gentian, _q.s._
Mix.
Divide into 12, 24, 36, or 48 pills.[1] One to be given twice a day,
after food.
Dog suffering from Ecthyma should be given some meat every day mixed with
other food.
=Eczema=:
A non-contagious skin disease.
_Symptoms_: Skin irritable; dog frequently scratching, also licking and
biting himself. Clusters of fine vesicles appear at different parts;
the skin afterwards becomes dry and scaly, unless the dog by constantly
licking himself makes the parts sore and raw. Parts principally attacked
around eyes, the lips, outside and inside of ears, along top of back,
root of tail; but any part may become affected.
_Treatment_: Bathe affected parts often with following lotion:—
_Recipe_:
Wright’s Solution Coal Tar, 1 ounce.
Goulard’s Extract of Lead, 1 drachm.
Glycerine Boracis, 1 ounce.
Distilled or Rain Water to 8 ounces.
Mix.
Or, apply following ointment twice a day:—
_Recipe_:
Resorcin, 1 scruple.
Cieolin, 20 minims.
Almond Oil, 1 drachm.
Lanoline, 1 ounce.
Mix.
Apply night and morning.
When skin very sore and raw, dust the affected places often with
following powder:—
Best Powdered Starch, 4 parts.
Boracic Acid Powder, 1 part.
Mix.
When the eczema is general—that is, more or less all over the dog—give
every four days a bath in Pearson’s disinfectant fluid diluted eighty
times with tepid water; that is, four tablespoonfuls to a gallon of water.
Internal Remedies.—Treat for worms, and give the following powders:—
Reduced Iron, 6 grains to 36 grains.[1]
Sulphate Magnesia, ½ drachm to ½ ounce.
Mix.
Divide into 12 powders—one to be given twice a day with food.
When the dog is in poor condition, or when the skin is very dry and
scurfy, try the following pills after the powders have been given for a
time:—
_Recipe_:
Arsenious Acid ⅛ grain to ½ grain.[1]
Reduced Iron, 6 grains to 36 grains.
Ext. Gentian, _q.s._
Mix.
Make 12 pills—one to be given twice a day.
=Elbow, Capped=:
_Symptoms_: The point of the elbow is hard, swollen, and tender, causing
the dog to go lame, or at any rate rather stiff. It is generally the
result of an injury.
_Treatment_: At first try hot fomentations, which continue three or four
times daily for some days; then apply the following lotion, dabbed on
frequently:—
_Recipe_:
Goulard’s Extract of Lead, 1 drachm.
Laudanum, 1 ”
Spirits of Wine, 4 drachms.
Water to 8 ounces.
Later, if the swelling continues, rub gently into the swollen part a
little colourless tincture of iodine or iodine vasogen once a day. It is
essential in these cases to keep a good soft bed under the dog.
=Emaciation=:
_Symptoms_: Loss of condition and spirits, paleness of the mouth and
conjunctivæ membrane.
_Treatment_: First give medicine to remove worms; also cod-liver oil,
from half a teaspoonful[1] to a tablespoonful two or three times a day
after food, and from one to eight grains[1] saccharated iron two or three
times a day.
_Diet_: Feed liberally, allowing plenty of meat, mixed with Spratt’s malt
and cod-liver oil biscuits; also give plenty of milk to drink.
=Emetics=:
The most effectual one is hydrochlorate of apomorphia; dose, from
one-twentieth to one-sixth of a grain[1] in a teaspoonful of water. When
given injected under the skin, it acts almost instantaneously.
Tartar emetic, from a quarter[1] to one and a half grains, shaken dry on
the back of the tongue. If vomiting should not be induced in about ten
minutes, a few spoonfuls of warm water should be given.
Ipecacuanha wine, from half a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful[1]; repeated
in ten minutes if vomiting not induced, and again ten minutes later if
necessary.
In cases of emergency, common salt may be given, from sufficient to cover
a sixpence to a teaspoonful[1] in warm water.
=Emissions=:
This nuisance is, as a rule, more troublesome amongst puppies than adult
dogs, for generally after they are a year old the bad habit ceases.
_Treatment_: A course of bromide is sometimes useful, but if the habit
continues after the dog is two years old castration is the only thing
that is of any use. This operation, which can be done under chloroform,
does not alter a dog’s nature as much as many people think, and when he
is only required as a pet there is nothing to be said against it.
=Emphysema=:
_Symptoms_: The whole body may swell through a small puncture in the
skin, which often cannot be found when a clog’s coat is thick. The
emphysema may be confined to the body or to the head, or even to one
or more limbs. In bad cases the dog swells out of all recognition. He
is unable to move, or does so with great difficulty; and when the head
is affected, the eyes are closed, the ears perhaps an inch thick, and
breathing is difficult. The swelling is soft, pits on pressure, and at
the same time a crackling noise is made.
When affecting the lungs, the breathing is heavy and laboured, and on
auscultating the chest a distinct loud, crackling noise is heard. The
heart is generally affected, its action, as a rule, being very weak; and
there is a chronic, husky cough.
_Treatment_: In cases of general emphysema, if the swelling is not
large it may be left alone, for it will gradually disperse of its own
accord; but when it is large, the original wound, if it can be found,
should be dilated, or one or more fresh ones made, and the air which
has accumulated under the skin pressed out. The wound should afterwards
be cleaned with a solution of some disinfectant like Pearson’s fluid or
boracic acid, dried, then covered over with some antiseptic gauze, and a
bandage or coat applied. Stimulants, as brandy, should be administered.
Treatment of emphysema of the lung is not very satisfactory, especially
when the patient is very old, which is generally the case; but some
relief may often be given by careful dieting. No food to distend the
stomach should be allowed, as pressure on the chest from a distended
stomach always increases the difficulty in breathing, therefore a
concentrated food like meat should be given, and it is best raw. It
should be given in small quantities three times a day.
Sedative medicine, unless the cough is very troublesome, is best avoided,
but some such mixture as the following may be tried:—
_Recipe_:
Tr. Digitalis, 1 drachm.
Tr. Nux Vomica, 1 drachm.
Ipecacuanha Wine, 2 drachms.
Water to 6 ounces.
From half a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful[1] three times a day one hour
after food.
Inhalation of steam gives relief.
The bowels should be kept well opened by occasional doses of aperient
medicine.
=Enema=:
Enemas are necessary in cases of stoppage of the bowels; they are also
very useful to relieve constipation; and for dogs that are very ill it
is much better to give a small enema rather than a dose of purgative
medicine, which often causes sickness, which one particularly wants to
avoid when the patient is weak.
Just to cause an action of the bowels in cases of constipation, only a
small enema is required as, say for a little dog like a griffon, half
a teaspoonful of glycerine mixed with a couple of tablespoonfuls of
warm water. For dogs the size of fox terriers double the quantity may be
given. For collies, etc., four times the quantity; and for dogs like a St
Bernard half as much again of both the glycerine and water. Instead of
glycerine, soapy water may be used.
In cases of real obstruction of the bowels, give double the quantities
as advised in cases of simple constipation, and the enema should be
repeated in these cases three or four times a day. Very often in cases of
obstruction of the bowels, it is a very good plan to give an occasional
enema consisting of warm oil, or even from five grains to half a
drachm[1] of ox gall dissolved in hot water.
For little dogs a glass ear-syringe may be used which can be bought to
hold half an ounce or an ounce. For bigger dogs one of Higson’s enema
syringes are the best. The bone point, before inserting into the bowel,
should be well vaselined, and then it can be safely passed into the
rectum its whole length, which is about two inches. Care should be taken
when giving enema not to pump a lot of air into the bowel.
Another way of relieving constipation, when one wishes to avoid giving
medicine by the mouth, is to pass a suppository made of glycerine and
gelatine into the rectum. These have their advantage over enema, as they
do not wet the dog when the bowels operate, which is important in cases
of paralysis when dogs cannot stand whilst passing a motion. Failing
a glycerine suppository, a piece of yellow soap cut the shape of one
answers the purpose.
=Enteritis (Inflammation of the Bowels)=:
_Symptoms_: Attack often commences with vomiting. There is generally
slight rise of temperature and a quickened pulse, pain on pressure of
abdomen; there may be constipation or diarrhœa, but in any case mucus
is generally passed with the motion. The dog seems ill, lies about, and
is disinclined to move. There is loss of appetite, and the thirst is
generally excessive.
Chronic enteritis is a more common complaint; there is no temperature
as a rule, and the pulse is quiet, though it generally becomes very
weak as the disease advances. The appetite is not entirely gone, but
is very bad, and what is taken is often vomited, mixed with a quantity
of frothy mucus. When the food eaten is solid, and it is not vomited,
then it generally passes through the patient in an undigested state with
some mucus. The motions are copious and frequent, sometimes there is
diarrhœa, at other times the motions are formed and hard. There is pain
on pressure of the abdomen, and the coils of intestines may easily be
felt as the coats of the bowels are generally much thickened—the result
of the chronic inflammation. The patient becomes very anæmic and wasted,
the breath is foul, ulcers may form in the mouth, and the tongue is of a
rusty red colour.
_Treatment_: In the acute form a small dose of castor oil mixed with from
two to fifteen drops of laudanum,[1] and repeated in two or three days
if necessary. If there is diarrhœa, give from three[1] to fifteen grains
of carbonate of bismuth three or four times a day; also from two to ten
drops of chlorodyne[1] in water three or four times a day; when there is
much pain hot linseed meal poultices may be applied to the abdomen. The
diet should consist principally of milk—plain or with Benger’s food—a
little meat juice may be added. Later, scraped lean raw meat may be given.
The treatment of chronic cases is tedious, a cure is often difficult,
and under the best circumstances it takes many weeks of careful dieting
before improvement occurs.
The following powders to be given with or after food:—
_Recipe_:
Ingluvin, 1 drachm.
Carbonate Bismuth, 2 drachms.
Powdered Nux Vomica, 6 grains.
Mix.
Divide into 12, 24, or 48 powders[1]—one to be given three times a day.
The diet should consist principally of unboiled milk, given plain or with
Benger’s food, or beaten up with the white of an egg, and the quantity
of course must vary according to the size of the dog, say from half[1]
a pint to two quarts a day. Later, when the motions seem normal and the
condition of the tongue improves, scraped lean raw meat may be given in
small quantities.
=Epilepsy=:
_Symptoms_: An attack generally occurs quite suddenly; dog falls uttering
perhaps a loud cry, is violently convulsed, champs his jaws, and froths
at the mouth, and is unconscious. The attack generally lasts about half a
minute, when the dog looks around him in a sort of dazed condition, and
then often bolts off, not knowing where he is going to. Often one attack
is followed by more, so it is important that the dog should be put in
a place of security as quickly as possible, a good sized hamper is as
good as anything. During the convulsions of epilepsy or just after, the
patient unknowingly will bite his owner or anyone else, but there is no
danger from such a bite.
_Treatment_: During the convulsions, it is best to leave the dog alone,
unless one attack is being quickly succeeded by another, in which case
two[1] or three drops of nitrite of amyl held to the nose, on a piece
of blotting paper, lessens the severity of the convulsions. Chloroform
similarly applied answers the same purpose. Directly the patient is able
to swallow, give a dose of hydrated chloral and bromide of potassium,
from three[1] to twenty grains of each, in from two teaspoonfuls[1] to
two tablespoonfuls of water. This may be repeated in one, two, three, or
four hours, according to the necessity, and under any circumstance the
bromide alone should be given three or four times a day for a week or so
after the attack. When a dog has had a succession of fits, a long course
of bromide of potassium will often effect a cure.
_Diet_: Should be light, and consist principally of milk.
In all these cases, free purging does good.
=Epistaxis (Bleeding from the Nose)=:
_Symptoms_: When the blood comes from one nostril, the trouble is
generally local. When from both nostrils, it is more likely to be due to
some lung mischief.
_Treatment_: If the hæmorrhage is not severe, nothing is necessary except
keeping the dog quiet for a time, as it will soon discontinue. However,
should the bleeding persist, syringe up the nostril a saturated solution
of alum, or a teaspoonful of tincture perchloride of iron, mixed with a
tablespoonful of water. In very severe case, the local application of
adrenalin should be tried, and from half to two grains[1] of ergotine,
given subcutaneously, dissolved in a few drops of brandy. This may be
repeated every three or four hours. In some cases it is necessary to plug
the nostrils with strips of lint. When bleeding is severe, stimulants
should be freely given, and also scraped lean raw meat.
=Erysipelas=:
Uncommon in dogs, but occasionally seen.
_Symptoms_: Temperature quickly rises, and may go up to 106 or 107 degs.
F., and even higher—dog constantly shivering—total loss of appetite, but
as a rule thirst very great. Skin becomes thick, tense, and shiny—at
first red, and then perhaps of a purple colour; blisters may form;
affected parts much swollen.
_Treatment_: Give from two to fifteen grains[1] of chlorate potash every
four hours; dust parts with powdered boracic acid, mixed with three parts
of powdered starch.
=Erythema=:
_Symptoms_: Red and inflamed condition of the skin, the redness
temporarily disappearing on pressure. Condition often noticed on inside
of flaps of ears, inside of thighs and arms. It is accompanied sometimes
by a good deal of burning and irritation which makes the dog lick and
bite himself.
_Treatment_: Dust over with boracic powder often, or bathe parts with
thymol lotion. Treat for worms and give sulphate of magnesia, from
five[1] grains to one scruple, and reduced iron, from half[1] to four
grains, twice a day with food.
_Diet_: Meat may be given with other food in this case.
When the Erythema is spread more or less all over the body, a bath every
day or every other day made as follows gives relief:—
_Recipe_: Borax, two tablespoonfuls; fine oatmeal, eight tablespoonfuls;
tepid water, three gallons.
It is a good plan when the dog is wet to rub the yolks of three or four
eggs into the coat, which cleanses it, besides removing the dandruff from
the skin.
=Exhaustion (Result of great Exertion)=:
_Symptoms_: The dog is very languid, and perhaps unable to stand;
breathes heavily, pulse quick and weak. If very bad, the tongue and
membrane of the eye may be of a dark blue colour, the result of defective
circulation.
_Treatment_: Rest and stimulants, as from ten drops to two
teaspoonfuls[1] of brandy in a little water, which repeat every half
hour. When dog very bad and unable to swallow, the brandy may be injected
under the skin. As the dog comes round, Valentine’s meat juice or scraped
raw meat in small quantities may be given.
=Eye, Dislocation of=:
_Symptoms_: This is not an uncommon occurrence with dogs with prominent
eyes, such as pugs, Japanese and Pekingese spaniels, as well as King
Charles spaniels, and other such dogs. Generally it is caused by
fighting, or from some sudden blow just at the back of the side of the
eye.
_Treatment_: If attended to immediately the eye is easily returned,
especially if a little castor oil be poured over the front of the eye,
and then with gentle pressure with the fingers it slips back into its
place, and the eyesight is uninjured; but if left for some time, even for
an hour, the eye becomes distended, and then it is impossible to return
it without dilating the orifice. This must be done by making a small
slit at the outer corner where the eyelids meet, say about one eighth of
an inch long, and then pour a few drops of castor oil over the eye, and
with pressure return it. Afterwards carefully sew up the incision made,
and either put a couple of stitches through the lids, so as to keep the
eyelids closed, or else put a piece of lint double thickness, soaked in
boracic lotion, over the eye, and apply a bandage; but it is much safer
to put a couple of stitches through the lids, which may be removed
twenty-four hours later. The eye is sure to be inflamed and very painful
for a few days, but this may be relieved by hot poppy-head fomentation
made by boiling a couple of crushed poppy-heads in a quart of water for
ten minutes, and then straining through fine muslin.
[Illustration: How to apply a bandage to cover one eye]
After the eye has been out for an hour or two, one cannot tell for some
days whether the sight has been destroyed or not. As a rule it is.
=Eye, Haw of, Growth on=: