both eyes. It is particularly common in bull puppies, pugs, and young
bloodhounds.
_Treatment_: The only treatment consists in excising the swelling in the
following way: Paint the little red body several times with a 6 per cent.
solution of hydrochlorate of cocaine, then after waiting a few minutes
the swelling should be gently drawn out with forceps, or by passing a
thread through it with a needle, and then it should be quickly snipped
off with a pair of curved scissors. The bleeding will stop of itself in a
few minutes, and no further treatment is required.
=Eyelids, Sore=:
_Symptoms_: The membrane of the eye is much congested, and freely
discharges white matter; the skin around eye is swollen, inflamed, and
raw, which sometimes makes it difficult to see the eye.
_Treatment_: Apply following lotion often:—
_Recipe_:
Goulard’s Extract of Lead, ½ drachm.
Hydrochlorate of Cocaine, 6 grains.
Distilled Water to 3 ounces.
Apply frequently with a piece of absorbent wool. When the skin is dry
and inflammation less, anoint the lids three or four times a day with
following ointment:—
_Recipe_:
Hydrochlorate of Cocaine, 3 grains.
Water, 1 drachm.
Lanoline, 2 drachms.
Almond Oil, 1 drachm.
Mix.
Give a dose of purgative medicine, also some cooling medicine with food,
as from three to twenty grains[1] each of bicarbonate of potash and
sulphate of magnesia.
=Fainting=:
Dogs subject to asthma often have a weak heart, and when the cough is
severe frequently fall down in a faint, but as a rule it only lasts for a
few moments, and the dog soon seems all right.
_Symptoms_: When due to loss of blood, the dog lies in an apparently
lifeless condition, the mouth is white and clammy, the membranes of the
eyes are bloodless, the pulse is quick and weak, and the breathing slow
and laboured. The same condition occurs as the result of shock after
an accident, as a dog being run over, even when there is no internal
bleeding.
_Treatment_: In the first instances, when a dog faints as the result of
heart disease, the application of smelling salts to nose is generally
sufficient at the time, but the condition that causes it requires
attending to, and a course of some heart tonic should be given as the
following:—
_Recipe_:
Tincture Digitalis 1 drachm.
Tincture Convallaria (Maj.) 1 drachm.
Water to 6 ounces.
From one teaspoonful to a tablespoonful[1] to be given three times a day.
It is also a good plan to give a few drops of brandy in water after each
meal, and the best food in these cases is under-done meat. In the second
instance, as the result of hæmorrhage, let the animal lie perfectly quiet
on his right side; if he can swallow, give small quantities of brandy and
milk frequently; if this cannot be taken, inject under the skin from ten
drops[1] to a teaspoonful of brandy, in which has been dissolved from
half[1] to two grains of ergotine; repeat in an hour. To make up for the
loss of blood, inject slowly into the bowel from a tablespoonful to half
a tumblerful[1] of warm peptonised milk, which may be repeated in an
hour. If very cold, place hot-water bottles to back. As soon as dog is
able to swallow give Valentine’s meat juice with water, alternately with
milk and brandy, later small quantities of scraped lean raw meat.
In the third instance, viz., fainting as the result of shock, without
hæmorrhage, it is certainly difficult at first to know whether there is
any internal bleeding or not going on, but in the absence of this the
dog soon recovers. Brandy should be given as previously recommended, and
smelling salts held to the nose.
=False Conception=:
Bitches sometimes after being properly served, though not in pup, become
big and hard, and behave in every respect as if they were going to have
a large litter, and at the end of the period of the supposed gestation,
nothing but a little discharge comes away, and the bitch gradually
gets smaller. There is an accumulation of milk, but this is a common
occurrence seven or eight weeks after heat, even in maiden bitches.
=Favus (Form of Ringworm)=:
_Symptoms_: This is a form of ringworm which dogs often suffer from. It
is frequently caught from rats. It is recognised by circular patches
covered with yellow sulphur-coloured crusts. As a rule, there is not
much irritation of the skin, but the disease is very contagious, even to
people.
_Treatment_: The part should be painted daily with sulphurated calcium
lotion. The lotion should not only be applied to the parts, but half an
inch round the outer circumference of the patch. This should be continued
for about a fortnight. Then dress the place daily for another week with
a lotion of equal parts of methylated spirits, green soft soap, and oil
of cade.
=Feeding=:
_See_ APPENDIX.
=Feet, Cracked=:
_Symptoms_: The pads of some dogs are constantly cracking, especially in
hot, dry weather. As a consequence, the feet become very tender, and in
some cases the dog is quite lame when exercising on hard roads.
_Treatment_: Rub well into the pads night and morning some borate of
glycerine. The loose horn should be removed with scissors. Give the dog
cooling medicine, from three[1] to twenty grains of sulphate of magnesia,
also from two[1] to ten grains of bicarbonate of potash twice a day with
the food. Exercise the dog for a time on grass.
=Feet (Swelling between Toes)=:
_Symptoms_: A swelling often suddenly forms between the toes, which makes
the dog go exceedingly lame, and in fact, he is often unable to put the
foot to the ground. As the swelling increases in size, it soon becomes
soft, and as a rule quickly breaks.
_Treatment_: Directly the swelling is noticed, a hot bread poultice
should be applied, and repeated two or three times until the swelling is
quite soft, and then it should be freely opened and the parts scraped
out. The wound should be kept open for two or three days by packing it
with a little boracic wool or carbolic gauze, otherwise if it heals
too quickly it gathers again. The dog should have a dose of purgative
medicine, and in chronic cases when the swelling keeps reappearing first
in one foot and then in another, a course of arsenic should be given, as
from one[1] to eight drops of liq. arsenicalis in from one[1] to four
teaspoonfuls of water. Repeat the medicine twice a day, and give after
food. Dogs subject to this complaint should be fed principally on dog
biscuits.
=Fever=:
This is a condition of the body characterised by an increase of
temperature, shivering, lassitude, and loss of appetite; and, as a rule,
is a symptom of some specific disease; but on some occasions it occurs
as a result of some unascertainable cause, and generally in such cases
the rise of temperature, which may go up to as much as 104 degs. F., is
only temporary. This is more particularly the case in young puppies.
This condition also occurs in dogs after exertion, especially when not
in condition, as after a long walk on a hot day; but when due to such
causes, the temperature soon drops, and is normal in a couple of hours,
without any treatment. But if a dog, from whatever cause, ascertainable
or not, continues feverish, say over twenty-four hours, some medicine
should be given to relieve it, such as from two[1] to ten grains of
salicylate of soda, or from one-half[1] to five grains of phenacetin; but
this latter medicine should never be given to a dog in a low condition,
as there is always a danger of causing collapse by inducing heart
failure. Either of these medicines may be repeated every four hours, but
if after twenty-four hours the temperature still keeps more than two
degrees above normal, then salicylate of quinine should be tried: doses,
from one[1] to five grains given in a cachet, or made into a pill, and
repeated once in six hours. There are occasions when no medicine seems
to have any permanent effect upon the temperature, and in such cases the
application of an ice-bag to the head for an hour or so may be often
applied with great advantage. A sheep’s bladder makes a capital bag for
small dogs. The ice should be broken in small pieces, and the temperature
taken from time to time whilst the bag is on, so that one can see whether
the temperature is going down or not, as it is not advisable to reduce it
below normal.
=Fistula of Anus=:
_Symptoms_: A small wound running from the side of the anus in an inward
direction, and in many cases opening into the bowel. There is generally
some discharge from the wound, and a good deal of irritation, which keeps
the dog constantly licking the parts.
_Treatment_: The quickest and surest cure is to have the sinus freely
laid open, and afterwards foment and keep the wound clean with hot
boracic lotion—1 drachm to eight ounces of water.
=Fits=:
_See_ EPILEPSY, CONVULSIONS, etc.
=Flatulence=:
Symptoms: Dogs, especially large ones, become occasionally distended with
gas in the stomach. The abdomen becomes enormously swollen and hard; dog
breathes with difficulty; is much distressed, being in great pain. This
is a very fatal disease, as the stomach frequently ruptures as a result
of over-distention.
_Treatment_: Give stimulants freely, as brandy; and to disperse the gas,
give in a cachet from three[1] to fifteen grains of naphthol beta. This
may be repeated in an hour. In some cases the gas may be evacuated by
passing a tube down the throat into the stomach. (_See_ also WIND IN THE
STOMACH.)
[Illustration: POODLE, CHAMPION ORCHARD ADMIRAL.
The property of Mrs. Crouch, The Orchard, Swanley Village, Kent.
_Thos. Fall, photo._] [_face p. 120._]
=Flatulence (Simple)=:
_Symptoms_: Dogs occasionally, as a result of indigestion, suffer from
simple flatulence after eating. He is uncomfortable and restless, and
there are eructations of wind from time to time. The dog may also vomit,
and suffer from diarrhœa.
_Treatment_: A course of the following mixture is useful:—
_Recipe_:
Tincture of Rhubarb, 4 drachms.
Bicarbonate of Soda, 2 drachms.
Tincture Nux Vomica, 1 drachm.
Liquor Bismuth, 4 drachms.
Water to 6 ounces.
_Doses_: From one half to four teaspoonfuls[1] two or three times a day
after food. A little charcoal, say sufficient to cover a sixpence[1] to
a teaspoonful, may also be mixed with the food twice a day.
=Fractures=:
Fractures of the different bones of the limbs, also of the body and head,
are very common in the dog, especially of the first mentioned parts.
_Symptoms_: The symptoms of a fractured part are deformity, pain and
swelling at the seat of fracture, with crepitus or grating together of
the broken ends of the bone when the parts are moved. There are three
kinds of fractures. Simple, when one or more bones are broken in two
pieces, as in fracture of the two bones—radius and ulna—of the fore leg
or arm, and an absence of serious injury to the skin. Compound, when
besides fracture of the bones, the skin and other tissues are torn,
exposing the bones; and comminutive, when a bone is crushed into several
pieces. It is, of course, possible to have a compound comminutive
fracture. There is a false form of fracture that occasionally occurs
in puppies, especially of the larger breeds, more particularly when
affected with rickets; that is, the separation of the epiphyses from the
shaft of the bone. The epiphyses are the ends of the long bones, and in
young animals they are joined to the main shaft by cartilage, later this
becomes ossified or converted into bone.
_Fracture of the Metacarpal and Metatarsal Bones_: They are the bones
running from the knee and hock to the toes respectively; one or more of
these bones may be broken at a time.
_Treatment_: With the fingers bring the broken ends of bones together,
and in the case of the fore leg apply a thin wood splint to the front
of the leg, from just above the toes to an inch or more above the knee,
according to the size of the dog. The splint should be made of thin wood,
the same as is put to the back of pictures, and the part coming next to
the leg should be padded with a thick layer of wool which is best kept in
its place by winding a piece of bandage round it. In cases of fracture
of the metatarsal bones, the splint should be taken from the foot to the
point of the back of the hock. In either case, the splint must be kept in
its place by the application of a thin bandage, wound several times round
the leg, commencing (always) from the foot and working it upwards and
then downwards several times.
In treating fractures, it is important to get them set and bandaged
before the parts have had time to swell, otherwise in a few days when the
swelling has disappeared, the bandage will be found loose and perhaps
come off, necessitating resetting and bandaging. When the setting has
been properly carried out, there is no occasion to remove the bandages
in cases of simple fracture, at any rate for a month; but if the splints
have not been properly padded, they may rub the prominent parts of the
joints or bones, causing bad wounds. When such is occurring, the dog
is restless, and shows unmistakable signs of discomfort by constantly
licking the parts; then the splints and bandages must be removed, and
the sores washed and dressed by sprinkling the wound over with powdered
iodoform before applying the splints and bandages again. The wound may
require dressing every other day, or even daily if it is a bad and deep
one; in these cases a pad of some antiseptic gauze, as carbolic gauze,
should be applied.
_Fracture of the Radius and Ulna_: It is very seldom indeed that one of
these bones alone are broken; if one goes, the other does. They form the
arm; that is, the fore leg from elbow to the knee.
_Treatment_: In these cases four padded splints should be applied—one on
each side, and one at the back, and one in front of the leg. The one in
front must be shorter than the side ones, so as not to rub the front of
the elbow joint or the toes, and the one on the inside of the leg should
be slightly shorter than the one on the outside. One, two, or three
six-yard thin bandages must be fairly firmly applied, commencing right
down at the foot and carried up over the elbow joint.
It is a good plan to apply a few strips of Mead’s plaister over the
bandage; it keeps it from slipping.
_Fracture of the Lower Extremity of the Shoulder Bone, and Humerus_:
These fractures in the elbow joint almost always consist of a breaking
off of the inner condyle of the humerus, and as a consequence the limb
becomes shortened.
_Treatment_: These cases cannot be cured, and it is best not to bandage
them; in fact, they are best left to Nature, for whatever is done,
the dog remains always lame, but after a time he adapts himself to
circumstances, and makes good use of the shortened leg.
_Fracture of the Humerus_: This bone may be fractured through the shaft.
_Treatment_: it is a somewhat difficult bone to set, as it is situated
so close to the body that it is not easy to put a bandage round; but a
splint made of poro-plaister may be moulded to the bone, and kept in its
place with one-inch wide strips of Mead’s plaister. They should be cut
about six inches long.
_Fracture of Scapula or Blade Bone_:
_Treatment_: These fractures should be treated by fixing with hot pitch
an oval piece of thin, pliable leather, large enough to just more than
cover over the bone.
_Fracture of Hock_: Sometimes, as the result of being run over, the bones
of the hock become broken, and as a consequence a stiff joint results.
_Treatment_: A similar splint as illustrated, the same that is
recommended for fracture of the tibia, should be applied.
_Fracture of Tibia_: This bone extends from the stifle joint to the hock,
and is often broken when a dog is run over across the hind leg.
_Treatment_: A splint made of thin zinc, as depicted in illustration,
is the most suitable for these cases; it must be well padded. When the
patient is a big dog, it is advisable to have two splints, one on either
side of the leg. They should extend from the foot to the stifle joint or
just above.
The illustration shows a joint in the centre of the splint, but this is
not absolutely necessary, though it has its advantages. One is, the joint
does not become so stiff, as it allows just slight movement.
[Illustration: A splint with a joint for fractures of the back leg]
Over the bandage a few strips of Mead’s plaister should always be used to
prevent the bandage shifting.
_Fracture of Femur_ (_Thigh Bone_):
_Treatment_: Except in cases of fracture of the lower extremity, these
cases are difficult to treat, in consequence of the shape of the leg,
for one thing; and for another, the limb is so close to the body that a
bandage cannot with advantage be put round. Under these circumstances,
it is always best in cases of broken thigh, except when it occurs at the
lowest extremity—that is, just above the stifle joint—to leave it to
Nature, who, as a rule, makes a very good cure, except that the leg as a
result may be a little shorter than its fellow. The muscles around the
bone are so thick and strong that they take the place of bandages, and
keep the bone in its place; whereas when a bandage is applied, it does
harm, and as a consequence the bone seldom unites. At the lower extremity
it is different; the muscles here are not so thick, and the application
of a splint and bandage supports the broken bone. The best form of splint
is one similar to the kind recommended for fracture of the tibia, but
made to extend nearly to the top of the thigh. To fix this splint in its
place, an ordinary bandage should be applied nearly up to the stifle
joint, and then above this the splint is to be kept in its place by means
of strips of Mead’s plaister, as a simple bandage cannot be kept on the
thigh in consequence of its shape and position.
Fracture of the head of the femur occurs sometimes, especially in
puppies, which is often mistaken for dislocation of the hip joint, of
which I have never seen a case. The part that is really broken is the
neck of the ball of the head of the femur, which fits in the cup of the
pelvis that goes to form the hip joint. In these cases great pain is
caused by pulling the leg back or abducting it, and distinct crepitation
may be felt and heard when moving the limb. If there is any doubt about
the case, the exact condition of the parts can always be plainly seen
with the assistance of the X-rays.
After fracture of the neck of the head of the thigh bone, the top of
it—namely, the trochanter—sticks up higher than it did before, and this
will be particularly noticed if the injured joint is compared with the
corresponding one on the other side.
Treatment is useless in these cases, for the broken bone will never unite
again; but in time a false joint is formed, and though the limb will for
ever afterwards be shorter than its fellow, yet after a time it becomes
a very useful member, and the dog scarcely walks lame at all, except
perhaps after some unusual exertion, but the muscles never develop to the
same extent on the injured side as they do on the sound one.
In treating small dogs with fracture of the legs, it is very important
that the bandages should be as thin and light as possible. In these
cases have bandages made of thin muslin or butter cloth about one and
a half inches wide and four yards long, which soak in a thick solution
of gum acacia. This is put straight on the broken leg after it has been
set straight. A good many layers may be put on, and over this four thin
_unpadded_ splints are adapted, and then a few layers of ordinary bandage
to keep the splints in their place, and they with the outside bandage may
be removed in a couple of days, by which time the gum has dried and set
firmly.
_Pelvis, Fracture of_: Different parts of the pelvis become fractured as
the result of accident, generally from a dog being run over.
_Symptoms_: The dog goes very lame, in many cases with straddled legs,
and often for a time may not be able to walk at all. There is a good deal
of pain on manipulation and swelling of the fractured parts.
_Treatment_: The dog for a month or so must be kept very quiet, and a
jacket placed on the hinder parts assists in keeping them together.
In all cases of fracture, it is most important that the dog be kept
absolutely quiet for the first three weeks; if the dog must go out for
certain purposes, then he should be carried to a garden and back again.
If this is not attended to, the broken bone will not unite, and as a
consequence there is what is called a false joint formed—that is, a soft
union between the two broken ends of the bone—and as a result the dog is
never able to bear weight on the limb, and it is never straight.
In cases of comminutive fracture, the same treatment is required as for
simple fracture, but more time must be given for union to take place.
_Compound Fracture_ is more difficult to treat as the limb cannot be set
up permanently, as it is necessary to dress the wound daily, or at any
rate every other day for a time, and this disturbs the leg and interferes
with the mending of the bone. Before setting the limb in these cases,
the wound must be thoroughly cleaned with some antiseptic solution as
Pearson’s fluid, one in eighty parts of tepid water, or a solution of
chinosol, one grain to the ounce of water. All pieces of exposed loose
bone must be removed, and pieces of bone sticking through the wound
that cannot be put back must be sawn, or nipped off with bone forceps.
Then the limb, after being put in a natural straight position, should be
enveloped in several layers of some antiseptic gauze, before applying
the padded splints in the usual way. It is advisable, if possible, not
to place a splint over the wound, then by cutting a hole through the
bandages so as to expose the wound in the skin, which can be done when
it is small, it can be daily dressed without removing the whole of the
bandages every day, though it is necessary to do so once a week, as the
dressing becomes soiled with the discharge. The hole made in the bandages
must be kept packed with disinfectant gauze, as iodoform or carbolic
gauze, and be changed daily.
_Fracture of Bones of the Tail_ are best treated by setting up the tail
with strips of Mead’s adhesive plaister. Many layers must be applied so
as to keep the parts at rest. Adhesive plaister is advised, as it is
almost impossible to keep a bandage on the tail unless pitch or some
other such material is used, and this makes the dressing so heavy and
uncomfortable for the patient.
_Green Stick Fracture_: That is when a bone is broken, and the parts are
not displaced.
_Symptoms_: These cases are sometimes difficult to diagnose, however,
the parts are swollen and painful, and the dog is unable to put the
foot to the ground. With the aid of the X-rays the fracture is easily
discernible. The bone which I find by experience most liable to this form
of fracture is the radius or fore arm.
_Treatment_: The same as for cases of simple fracture, and it soon
unites, and the leg becomes strong again.
_Broken Back_, which occurs sometimes as the result of a dog being
run over, the part that generally breaks is across the loins—lumbar
vertebræ—well forward close to the dorsal vertebræ.
_Symptoms_: Acute pain at the part, some swelling of the soft tissues
covering the injured vertebræ, and loss of power and feeling of the parts
behind the injury.
_Treatment_: Useless; it is much the best to have the dog at once put out
of his misery.
_Fracture of the Cervical Vertebræ or Bones of the Neck_ may occur from
a dog being run over across the neck. Death, as a rule, quickly occurs.
There is nothing to be done.
_Fracture of Ribs_: This is not an uncommon occurrence.
_Symptoms_: Pain at the seat of injury, and some local swelling. The
fractured rib can easily be felt, and there is some crepitation when
manipulated. The broken ends of the rib are inclined to turn inwards.
_Treatment_: Place a fairly wide linen bandage, or, what is better still,
some wide strips of Mead’s adhesive plaister, round the chest. Union, as
a rule, of the broken rib soon takes place.
[Illustration: Showing how to bandage a dog’s chest for fracture of ribs
and other injuries to the chest]
_Fracture of the Bones of the Skull_, especially those of the forehead,
occasionally occur.