part is very painful, and swelling soon occurs. This injury is often
accompanied by a good deal of acute congestion of the brain, the result
of concussion, and as a result the dog often becomes unconscious soon
after the accident. This may continue for days, or until the pressure,
the result of the fractured bone on the brain, is relieved by operation.
The dog, of course, during the unconscious condition is quite paralysed
in all four limbs. After the pressure is removed, the dog soon regains
consciousness, and strength to the limbs gradually returns.
_Treatment_: In these cases it is important to keep the dog absolutely
quiet; to feed on liquid food, carefully given with a spoon or bottle,
in small quantities often. When the patient is very restless, an ice-bag
may be applied to the forehead, and small doses of bromide of potassium
given every four hours mixed with the food. When the fractured bone is
depressed, and is pressing on the brain, the sooner this is relieved by
operation the better. Of course, for some time afterwards the dog must be
kept very quiet.
_Fracture of the Upper Jaw_: This occasionally occurs as the result of a
blow, as the kick of a horse; also from being run over.
_Treatment_: A bandage cannot be easily applied here to any advantage. If
the mucus membrane has been torn, and the bone exposed, all loose pieces
must be removed, also broken and loose teeth; and the mouth should be
thoroughly washed out three or four times a day with a teaspoonful of
borax to half a pint of water, and the dog fed on sloppy food for a time.
These cases, as a rule, do very well.
_Fracture of Lower Jaw_: This is not an uncommon occurrence, as the
result of the same causes as fracture of the upper jaw.
[Illustration: A splint for fracture of bottom jaw]
_Treatment_: The removing of loose bone and teeth is to be carried out
the same as recommended in cases of broken upper jaw; but here a splint
can be applied, and is necessary, as there is not the same natural
support as there is in the upper jaw. Of course, there is some difficulty
in applying a splint and bandage in these cases to dogs with a very
short face, especially when the patient is very small—as, for instance,
a griffon—and moreover, it is not quite so necessary, as there is more
natural support in a short jaw than a long one, like a terrier’s or
greyhound’s. The splint should be made of perforated zinc, and of the
shape as depicted in the illustration, and be applied as well as the
bandages, as depicted in the illustration. The bandages must be put
on sufficiently tight, so that the dog cannot open the mouth. There
are cases when a dog will not tolerate a splint and bandages; in such
instances, the broken ends of the bone must be brought firmly together
with a strong silver wire suture, and fastened by twisting. The dog’s
strength in these cases must be kept up with milk and raw eggs, beaten up
together; also milk and Benger’s food or sanatogen, as well as beef tea,
as it is necessary that the splint and bandages be kept on for at least
three weeks, and even after this nothing but sloppy food must be allowed
for a time.
=Gall-stones=:
_Symptoms_: Acute abdominal pain, great tenderness of the abdomen, and if
relief is not soon given jaundice follows.
_Treatment_: To relieve the pain, give five[1] drops to a teaspoonful
of laudanum in a teaspoonful[1] to two tablespoonfuls of water. If pain
continues, the medicine may be repeated in an hour, and again an hour
later if necessary. Hot linseed meal poultices should be applied to the
abdomen. If jaundice follows, give from three[1] to ten grains of the
Homœopathic preparation of Merc: Sol: 3 × every three hours for three
or four days. Under the best circumstances treatment can only have but
temporary benefit.
=Gangrene=:
_Symptoms_: This may follow improper treatment of a severe wound, also
the result of a too tightly bandaged leg in a case of fracture, or as
I have seen, from an elastic band being placed on the leg, or in some
cases on a dog’s tail. The parts are at first very swollen, painful and
red, later skin turns blue or even black. Skin oozing very offensive
blood-coloured fluid, later the pain disappears from the part, and it
becomes cold and clammy, and turns green; in fact, becomes putrid.
_Treatment_: If from the too tight application of a bandage, or from
an indiarubber band, it should at once be removed. Hot linseed meal
poultices, dusted over freely with charcoal, applied every four hours,
and then the parts should be freely washed with a warm saturated
solution of boracic acid; carefully dried and wrapped in carbolic gauze,
and a bandage lightly applied. As a rule, there is a good deal of
constitutional disturbance in these cases, and it is advisable to give
some medicine such as salicine, say from three[1] to fifteen grains every
six hours, either in tabloid or cachet, also stimulants as brandy.
=Gastric Ulcer=:
_Symptoms_: Dogs suffering from this disease are occasionally seen
bringing up their food, sometimes tinged with blood, which is generally
of a bright red colour. The quantity of blood varies. Sometimes there
are streaks mixed with vomited matter, or there may be quite a quantity,
causing great exhaustion. They also lose condition, become anæmic and
languid.
_Treatment_: The principal thing in these cases is diet, which should be
light and of an easily digested nature, as milk with the white of egg, or
milk thickened with Benger’s food. When the dog is very weak, a little
Valentine’s meat juice should be added with each lot, but nothing solid.
When the bleeding is severe give ergotine, a half[1] to two grains every
two or three hours, in a teaspoonful[1] to a tablespoonful of water;
but when it is very slight the styptics are not necessary, but give
the dog each time a quarter of an hour before food from two[1] to ten
grains of carbonate of bismuth, and immediately after food from one[1]
to five grains of ingluvin. It is necessary in these cases to keep the
dog absolutely quiet. Do not allow the dog to drink a lot of water; if
very thirsty, give Vichy water and milk in equal parts to drink, as plain
water increases the vomiting.
=Gastritis (Acute)=:
_Symptoms_: Frequent and violent vomiting, also diarrhœa. The attack is
accompanied by great thirst.
_Treatment_: Keep the dog quiet, and prevent his drinking water. If he is
very thirsty, give Vichy water and milk to drink in equal parts, or ice
to lick. Give every four hours from three[1] to ten grains of carbonate
of bismuth shaken dry on the tongue. If this does not stop the sickness,
give the mixture as recommended for Specific Gastritis. In some cases the
sickness is so acute that if every care is not taken the dog dies from
exhaustion. In such instances the dog’s stomach should be given absolute
rest, the dog not being allowed to drink even water, or have ice, say for
six to twelve hours. To keep the dog’s strength up, give a peptonised
beef suppository every three or four hours. If there is any diarrhœa,
give an enema of a dessertspoonful to two tablespoonfuls[1] of milk,
thickened with starch, with from five[1] to twenty drops of laudanum
added, every four or six hours. When the sickness has stopped, food must
be given very sparingly by the mouth, and should consist of peptonised
milk or milk and Vichy, and just a small quantity of Brand’s, every hour
or so. After a couple of days, if the dog is doing well, a little scraped
lean raw mutton may be offered.
=Gastritis (Chronic)=:
_Symptoms_: In this complaint the dog occasionally vomits, bringing up
his food, is very thirsty, and loses condition. The tongue, instead of
being a nice pink colour, is brick-red colour and dry, and occasionally
diarrhœa occurs.
_Treatment_: For this a diet of raw meat for a time will put the dog
right, a small quantity three times a day; and an hour before each
meal give from three[1] to fifteen grains of carbonate of bismuth. In
very obstinate case, small doses of arsenic, as from half[1] a drop to
two drops of Fowler’s solution, with from two[1] teaspoonfuls to two
tablespoonfuls of water, and given before food, does good.
=Gastritis (Specific)=:
_Symptoms_: This is a contagious disease which has been prevalent amongst
dogs of late years. It is sometimes called German distemper, and often
terminates fatally. The dog generally commences with vomiting, and rise
of temperature; the breath becomes very offensive, teeth highly furred;
ulcers often form on the tongue, along the edge of gums, and inside the
cheeks. There is great wasting. As the disease progresses, the vomiting
increases, the dog often bringing up blood or coffee-coloured, offensive
fluid; also dysentery is present. Unlike ordinary gastritis, there are
generally two or three degrees of fever, but the temperature soon falls
below normal, and the pulse from the commencement is rapid, whereas in
ordinary gastritis you seldom get any rise in temperature or alteration
in the number of the pulse-beats. A very characteristic symptom of this
disease is a very congested condition of the eyes.
_Treatment_: The dog must be kept exceptionally quiet, and prevented
from drinking any water, as it only irritates the stomach. A liquid diet
is absolutely necessary, such as Vichy water and milk in equal parts to
drink, milk and white of egg or Benger’s food, and occasionally a little
Brand’s beef essence. For medicine, give from one[1] to five drops of
cyllin, which is best given in a gelatine capsule, three times a day. If
the vomiting is very severe, the following mixture can be given:—
_Recipe_:
Diluted Hydrocyanic Dil., 24 drops.
Liq. Bismuth, 3 drachms.
Water to 3 ounces.
_Doses_: From a half[1] to two teaspoonfuls every three or four hours.
It is very important to keep the mouth scrupulously clean. For this a
lotion of permanganate of potash may be used, five grains to a tumbler
of tepid water. If ulcers form, apply sparingly night and morning 5 per
cent. solution of bromic acid. There is always a danger of relapse in
these cases if a solid diet is permitted too soon. The liquid diet should
be continued for at least a week after the dog seems apparently well.
=Glandular Enlargement=:
[Illustration: A many-tailed bandage. A useful way of applying a poultice
or dressing to the upper part of the neck]
_Symptoms_: The glands about the throat are subject to swelling from
cold; also they may become enlarged when some injury resulting in
inflammation has taken place in the neighbourhood of the neck. The
lymphatic gland, situated at the lower part of the neck, just in front
and to the inside of the shoulder-joint, is much subject to enlargement
and the formation of tumour. Another favourite situation for similar
enlargements or growths to occur is the lower part of the abdomen
(pubes), between the hind legs, just above and on each side of the sheath
of the penis. Enlargements of the lymphatic gland, on the inside of the
elbow-joint, occur in cases of cancer of the breast.
_Treatment_: When from a cold, as enlargement of the throat glands, use
following liniment:—
_Recipe_:
Colourless Tincture of Iodine, 4 drachms.
Spirits of Camphor, 1 ounce.
Soap Liniment to 3 ounces.
A little to be gently rubbed into the swelling night and morning.
When enlargement of the sympathetic glands, the result of some
inflammation going on in the neighbourhood, no special treatment is
required, as the condition will cease as the inflammation subsides. The
tumefied glands, when situated near the front of shoulder, also under arm
or in the pubic region, may be treated with iodine vasogen for a time,
but any treatment except an operation is unlikely to be successful.
=Glandular Enlargement (Lymphadenoma)=:
_Symptoms_: This is a serious disease, and often affects all the
lymphatic glands of the system, they becoming much swollen and painful.
Those glands under the jaw are generally the first to show the disease,
and they often increase from a bean (normal size) to a walnut in size.
The disease extends to the other glands, as those in front of the
shoulders; also those under the arms. Those at each side of the penis,
the back of the hind legs, and even the gland situated in the abdomen
are affected; in fact, the dog is all lumps and bumps, and is a wretched
object.
_Treatment_: Is seldom attended with success; but occasionally large
doses of iodide of potassium, from one to ten grains,[1] well diluted
with water, seems to retard the progress of the disease for a time.
Removing the diseased glands by operation is not of any use.
=Glaucoma=:
_Symptoms_: The white of the eye is very red, and the ball is distended
and painful on pressure. The eye loses clearness. Disease usually begins
in one eye, but the other often gets affected later.
_Treatment_: Foment frequently with hot poppy-head tea, made by boiling
for a few minutes in a quart of water two crushed poppy-heads and then
strain through fine muslin. The tea should be applied as hot as the dog
can comfortably bear it. Also apply the following drops:—
_Recipe_:
Dionin, 2 grains.
Pilocarpine, 1 grain.
Sulphate Eserine, ½ grain.
Distilled Water to 4 drachms.
Two drops to be placed in the eye three or four times a day.
Glaucoma often requires surgical treatment, as puncturing the eye just
where the schlerotic coat joins the cornea. Sometimes it is necessary to
remove the eyeball, and this often has the advantage of preventing the
other eye becoming affected.
=Gleet=:
_See_ BALANITIS.
=Goitre=:
_Symptoms_: A swelling, varying in size from a pigeon’s to a goose’s
egg, situated low down in the neck, due to enlargement of the thyroid
gland. Almost always both lobes of the gland are affected, and there
is a swelling at both sides of the neck, though one may be slightly
larger than the other. As a rule, the condition does not cause much
inconvenience unless the glands are very big, or the patient very
young—say six weeks of age—when the breathing is often difficult, and
death takes place.
_Treatment_: When the patient is not very young, the hair over the
swellings should be cut short, and tincture of iodine applied every day
for three or four days; then, after waiting a week, the iodine may be
repeated if the swellings remain. When the patient is very young, say a
few weeks old—and the disease is rather common amongst pointers at this
age—the case is best treated with the homœopathic preparation of iodide
of potassium 3 x; dose, three grains thrice daily. Afterwards, when the
swellings are reduced, give cod-liver oil or malt.
=Gripping=:
_See_ COLIC.
=Gum, Growth on=:
_Symptoms_: A hard, irregular-shaped growth of a red colour, which is
somewhat constricted; occasionally grows on the gum, or rather from the
periosteum of the jaw-bone. It is called an epulis. It is more common in
old than young dogs, and it is difficult to cure. When the growth assumes
large proportions, it pushes the teeth quite out of the regular line, and
causes them to become loose.
_Treatment_: When possible, the application of a ligature of strong silk
tied tightly round the neck of the growth, and as close as possible to
the gum, is the best way of removing it. Sometimes this is not practical,
as the base is large. In such cases, the growth should be cut off close
to the gum, and the roots scraped down to the bone.
=Gumboil=:
_Symptoms_: A painful, swollen gum, generally the result of a bad tooth,
or may arise from cold.
_Treatment_: Extract tooth; wash mouth out after with a drachm of
chlorate of potash dissolved in a tumblerful of warm water. Give a dose
of purgative medicine.
=Gums, Bleeding=:
_Symptoms_: Occasionally the gums will bleed very freely, particularly in
old dogs, and often apparently without any reason, and in some cases the
bleeding is very difficult to stop.
_Treatment_: A simple and often an effectual remedy is placing a bandage
rather tightly round the nose for an hour or more, so that the dog is
unable to open his mouth. If this fails, the exact spot, or spots, as
there are sometimes several, must be found, and a solution of adrenalin
applied. Failing this, the tincture of perchloride of iron may be used.
=Hæmorrhoids: Piles=:
_Symptoms_: Dogs do not suffer from real piles, particularly internal
ones, but old dogs get a tumefied condition of the anus occasionally, and
the parts become swollen, red, and tender.
_Treatment_: Relief may be given by bathing with a solution of carbolic
acid, one in sixty of water, or a lotion made with a teaspoonful of
powdered alum dissolved in half a pint of tepid water, but used cold.
When the skin is broken apply the following ointment:—
_Recipe_:
Hydrochlorate of Cocaine, 4 grains.
Goulard’s Extract of Lead 10 minims.
Lanoline, 2 drachms.
Water, 2 drachms.
Mix.
Aperient medicine should be given.
=Hare Lip=:
_See_ CONGENITAL DEFORMITIES.
=Harvest Bugs=:
_Symptoms_: A collection of very small red insects looking almost like
red sand on different parts of the body and limbs, causing irritation and
scratching.
_Treatment_: Washing the parts daily for a few days with kerosene
one part, and butter milk six parts, mixed together; or Pearson’s
disinfectant fluid diluted eighty times with water will destroy them.
=Heart Disease=:
_Symptoms_: Heart affections are not particularly common in the dog,
except perhaps in Japanese spaniels, and I should think at least a third
of these dogs, by the time they are five years old, suffer from some
form of heart trouble, principally valvular or dilated heart, which
gives rise to difficulty in breathing, especially after exertion, a dry
cough, occasionally fainting and loss of condition. Later, as the disease
progresses, other complications arise, as enlargement of the liver and
dropsy (ascites).
_Treatment_: Keep dog as quiet as possible; do not allow any hard
exercise or running upstairs. Feed on a meat diet, and occasionally give
a course of following mixture:—
_Recipe_:
Tincture Digitalis, 2 drachms.
Tincture Nux Vomica, 1 drachm.
Simple Syrup, 1 ounce.
Water to 6 ounces.
_Doses_: From one teaspoonful to a tablespoonful[1] three times a day,
after food.
It is important to keep bowels open by occasionally giving aperient
medicine. If cough very troublesome, give two or three times a day, made
into a pill, from ⅟₅₀th[1] to ⅟₂₀th of a grain of hydrate of heroin,
with from half[1] to two grains of hydrate of terpin.
=Heat, The=:
_See_ ŒSTRUM.
=Hemiplegia=:
_Symptoms_: Paralysis of one side of body, including limbs.
_Treatment_: Unless attack is due to a known cause, as an accident or the
result of distemper, commence treatment with a dose of worm medicine,
followed by a brisk purge. If no better in a few days, give a course of
the following pills:—
_Recipe_:
Ergotine, 6 to 24 grains.[1]
Powdered Nux Vomica, 1 to 4 ”
Ex. cip. _q.s._
Mix.
Divide into 12 pills—one to be given three times a day after food.
When the paralysis is the result of distemper, the same pills may be
given, with from one[1] to three grains of reduced iron each time.
When the patient is a _small_ dog, the homœopathic preparation of Nux
vomica is the best medicine; of this, give five grains of the trituration
3 × three times a day.
Cases of hemiplegia are sometimes very slow in mending, and it is a long
time before the dog regains the proper use of his legs again; in such
instances, electricity should be employed, and a blister to each side of
the neck along the course of the spine applied. They should run from just
behind the back of the ears to just in front of the shoulder-joint, and
be from one to two inches wide, according to the size of the dog. The
blisters may be repeated in about a fortnight if necessary.
=Hernia=:
_Symptoms_: It is a rupture, or protrusion of an organ from its natural
position. The most common positions for rupture are the navel; here it
is called Umbilical Hernia, the Groin or Inguinal Hernia, and Perineal
Hernia, which shows itself by the side, or sometimes both sides, of the
anus.
_Treatment_: The only treatment to effect a radical cure is an operation,
but in the case of umbilical hernia, so long as it remains soft and
small, say not larger than a hazel nut or walnut, according to the
size of the patient, it may be left alone, as it does not cause any
inconvenience even to a bitch required for breeding purposes. Inguinal
hernia, which is only seen in bitches, and nearly always on the left
side, does not cause any inconvenience so long as it remains small; but
this form of hernia has a tendency to increase in size, and when such is
the case, more especially if it is intended to breed from the bitch, it
is advisable to submit to an operation, and, provided it is performed
under aseptic conditions, is unattended with danger.
In cases of old bitches suffering from this form of hernia, when from
some reason an operation is objected to, care must be taken to avoid
constipation. When this is done, seldom any harm occurs unless the hernia
is very large, and becomes hard and painful, caused by some obstruction
of the bowel in the hernical sac. If this happens, attention is required,
and means taken to reduce the hardness and swelling. This is best done by
placing the bitch, if a small one, upon a person’s knees. She should be
put on her back, with the head downwards, and then the swelling should
be carefully manipulated and massaged until it becomes soft and can be
returned into the body. In obstinate cases laudanum, from three[1] to
twenty drops in water, may be given every three or four hours; and after
the hernia has been reduced, a dose of aperient medicine is to be given.
The treatment of perineal hernia is always unsatisfactory. An operation
is not practical, and the only thing to do is to prevent constipation,
and then the dog may live for years without much discomfort. Should the
hernia become hard and distended, enemas of warm salad oil are to be
administered, the swelling softened by careful kneading, and the contents
of the rectum evacuated by means of a greased finger or handle of a small
spoon. A course of the following pills is useful in these latter cases:—
_Recipe_:
Extract of Belladonna, 2 to 6 grains.[1]
Powdered Nux Vomica, 1 to 4 ”
Powdered Rhubarb, 3 to 12 ”
Reduced Iron, 12 to 30 ”
Mix.
Divide into 12 pills—one twice a day after food.
=Hiccough=:
_Symptoms_: A sudden, jerky expiration of breath. Common in puppies.
Result of indigestion caused by worms. It is not a serious complaint.
_Treatment_: If a puppy, treat for worms. To relieve the spasmodic
breathing, give from three[1] to twenty grains of bicarbonate of soda in
milk; repeat in half an hour. If this fails, give from three to twenty
drops of turpentine in a little milk.
=Hoarseness=:
_Symptoms_: The bark is husky and hollow. May be the result of cold, also
from persistent barking, as when a dog is shut up in a strange place.
_Treatment_: If from cold, give frequently one[1] or more teaspoonfuls of
glycerine and water; if from over-barking, pacify the dog by removing the
cause.
=Hydrocele=:
_Symptoms_: A swelling of the scrotum, which may be either hard or soft.
_Treatment_: Apply following lotion often:—
_Recipe_:
Goulard’s Extract of Lead, 1 drachm.
Tincture of Opium, 2 drachms.
Distilled Water to 6 ounces.
Mix.
In some cases the application of tincture of iodine is necessary, or even
the tapping of the swelling.
=Hydrocephalus: Water in the Head=:
_Symptoms_: May be seen in young unweaned puppies; in some cases it
occurs later. The head, especially the top of the skull, is large and
rounded, and the puppy waggles it from side to side as if it was too
heavy to hold up. The gait is unsteady, and the puppy frequently walks
in circles generally in one direction, is constantly whining and crying,
does not thrive, and later generally has convulsions and dies.
_Treatment_: There is really nothing to be done in these cases, and the
kindest thing to do is to put the puppy out of its misery.
=Hydrophobia=:
_See_ RABIES.
Though practically the same disease as rabies or canine madness,
hydrophobia is a misnomer when this disease affects the dog, as he is not
afraid of water; in fact, he will try to drink, but is unable to swallow
little or none of the fluid in consequence of the condition of the throat.
=Hypodermic Syringe: How to Use=: