generally the back limbs and loins affected—the attack commences with
pain and stiffness across the loins. Give first, after a purge, for a
week or so, suitable medicine for rheumatism, and then later, if the
patient does not improve, treat as for ordinary paralysis. Cases of
paralysis are often tedious, and keep about a long time, but in the
end, unless the spine has been seriously injured by some accident, they
generally recover.
=Paraphymosis=:
_Symptoms_: Dogs, particularly some of the small ones, sometimes get the
penis protruded out of the sheaf, and if the orifice is at all small
it contracts on the protruding part, and it cannot be relieved without
assistance. The part becomes swollen and very painful, and if it is
not noticed soon after happening, the point of the penis becomes much
inflamed and congested.
_Treatment_: A little oil should be poured on the red protruding part,
and the sheath should be taken hold of and pulled forcibly over it.
In some cases it is necessary to apply ice to the protruding part, when
it is very much swollen, before it can be returned.
=Parturient Eclampsia=:
_Symptoms_: This occurs in nervous and excitable bitches two or three
weeks after pupping. The bitch is unable to stand, or does so with great
difficulty. She generally lies on her side, with legs outstretched and
head drawn back, panting violently and frothing at the mouth. The attack,
though very distressing, generally lasts some hours, leaving the bitch
much prostrated; it is seldom attended with fatal results.
_Treatment_: As soon as the bitch is able to swallow, give from five[1]
to fifteen grains each of bromide of potassium and hydrated chloral in
water. The dose may be repeated in two or three hours if necessary.
Once a bitch has had an attack of this complaint she generally has
another in the course of a few days, but it may be prevented by giving
some bromide of potassium regularly for a time—as from three[1] to ten
grains three times a day with the food or in a little water.
_Diet_: Fish, tripe, and milk food may be generously given, but avoid red
meat.
=Pediculi (Lice)=:
_Symptoms_: Small, bluish-grey insects generally found with the head
stuck in the skin—standing on their heads, as it were. They may be seen
on all parts of the dog, but the favourite places seem to be the nose,
ears, and underneath the chest. The lice lay their eggs or nits on the
hair, to which they stick by a very adhesive material and are difficult
to remove.
These insects cause intolerable irritation, and as a consequence, the dog
is always scratching, and loses condition.
_Treatment_: Bathing in Pearson’s disinfectant fluid, diluted eighty
times with water—that is, four tablespoonfuls to a gallon—is a good
remedy, but it is necessary to continue the treatment for some time so as
to destroy the young lice as they escape from the eggs. Another effectual
remedy is bathing the dog in kerosene one part, separated milk six parts,
well mixed together. But neither of these remedies destroy the nits. To
do so it is necessary to mix either the Pearson’s fluid or the kerosene
with oil in the proportions previously mentioned, and thoroughly rub
it all over the dog and leave it on him for some days; in fact, it is
advisable to repeat the dressing again four days later, and not wash him
for a week.
To get rid of the lice entirely the kennels, also collars, leads,
brushes, in fact everything belonging to the dog, should be thoroughly
disinfected by fumigation and washed in a strong solution of Pearson’s
fluid.
When a sick dog, as one suffering from distemper, is infested with lice,
washing, of course, is out of the question at such a time. The only thing
to do, then, is to use some effectual insecticide powder.
=Penis, Growths on=:
_Symptoms_: Dogs, especially those used for stud, and particularly
bulldogs, are liable to growths on the penis. They are red in colour,
and look not unlike a raspberry. The dog suffering in this way often
has drops of blood at the orifice of the prepuce. These growths are
contagious, and a dog suffering from them should on no account be used
for stud purposes. The growths may not only be on the point of the penis,
but may be situated far back.
_Treatment_: The growths should be removed by being scraped off, and the
roots cauterised sparingly with a saturated solution of chromic acid,
which should be applied on a thin stick. The caustic should be repeated
in a week. It may be necessary to repeat it several times.
=Pericarditis (Inflammation of the Heart’s Sac)=:
_Symptoms_: It is difficult to detect it in the dog. There is some
pain on the left side of the chest, the pulse is quiet and small, the
temperature is two or three degrees above normal, the breathing is short
and quick, and there is a dry cough. If the heart be examined with a
stethoscope, a friction sound is heard with each movement of the heart.
When fluid collects in the sac, as it often does, the usual heart sounds
are almost inaudible.
_Treatment_: Apply hot linseed-meal poultices to left side of chest, keep
the bowels freely opened with purgative medicine. If temperature is very
high, give the following mixture:—
_Recipe_:
Salicine, 2 drachms.
Tr. Digitalis, 1½ drachms.
Simple Syrup, 1 ounce.
Water to 6 ounces.
From one teaspoonful to a tablespoonful[1] three or four times a day.
When fluid collects, give from half[1] to two grains of iodide of
potassium in water three times a day.
=Peritonitis=:
_Symptoms_: Generally the result of some injury, but may be the result of
a chill. The abdomen is hard and very painful to the touch. The breathing
is quick, and the dog often utters a grunt with each breath. The pulse is
very quick, and the temperature rises to 105 degs. F. or over, and the
patient vomits frequently, especially after taking food or even water,
and quickly collapses, death often taking place within twenty-four hours
of the commencement of the illness.
_Treatment_: Apply flannels wrung out in hot poppy-head tea, made by
boiling for ten minutes a couple of crushed poppy-heads in a quart of
water. Give from five to twenty drops[1] of laudanum every four hours
in water; if the dog cannot retain it, inject under the skin from the
twentieth to the eighth of a grain[1] of acetate of morphia, in a few
drops of water, which may be repeated in six hours.
Give Vichy water and milk in equal parts to drink, and a little Brand’s
essence occasionally.
=Perostitis (Inflammation of Membrane covering Bone)=:
_Symptoms_: Generally result of injury. Parts are very painful and
swollen, the skin covering the inflamed spot discoloured, very often
purple. An abscess may form. In these cases there is a good deal of
constitutional disturbance, the temperature is high, perhaps 104 or 105
degs. F., the pulse quick, and the dog refuses food. Blood poison may
result.
_Treatment_: Keep patient absolutely quiet, and give a good purge. Apply
following lotion constantly on lint:—
_Recipe_:
Goulard’s Extract of Lead, 1 drachm.
Laudanum, 2 drachms.
Water to 6 ounces.
Or an ice-bag may be applied.
If an abscess forms, it must be freely opened, and afterwards apply hot
linseed-meal poultices, dusted over with powdered charcoal.
=Perspiration=:
_Symptoms_: A dog does not perspire from the skin when in health, but he
occasionally does when suffering from some skin diseases; and puppies
in the nest, when ill and not thriving, will become quite wet from
perspiration. It is always a bad sign, and shows the dog or puppy is in a
very bad state of health.
_Treatment_: In the case of puppies, give the mother a dose of castor
oil, and dust the youngsters all over two or three times a day with
finely-powdered boracic acid one part, kaolin eight parts, mixed
together. In the case of adult dogs, give daily a sulphur bath, made
by dissolving one ounce of sulphurated potash in four gallons of tepid
water; after well drying, dust the inside of the thighs, abdomen,
armpits, etc., with the powder recommended for puppies. For medicine give
a course of arsenic, as from one[1] to eight drops of Fowler’s solution
in water after food.
=Phimosis=:
_Symptoms_: The opening of the sheaf or prepuce is so small that the male
organ cannot pass through.
_Treatment_: Nothing but a surgical operation is of any use, which
consists in enlarging the opening, and sewing the skin to the mucus
membrane.
=Phthisis=:
_Symptoms_: Chronic hacking cough; the temperature is always a degree
or two above normal; loss of condition; the muscles of the neck, body,
and limbs become wasted. If the expectorations are examined by the
microscope, the tubercle bacilli will be found.
_Treatment_: Generally incurable; but making the dog live out of doors,
and giving plenty of cod-liver oil, with a generous diet of raw meat,
sometimes does good.
It is a mistake to keep a dog suffering from consumption amongst people,
as the danger of infection is too great a risk.
[Illustration: OLD ENGLISH SHEEP DOG, CHAMPION RAGGED MAN.
The property of Mr. Aubrey Hopwood, 36 Sackville Street, W.
[_face p. 212._]
=Piles (External)=:
_Symptoms_: Dogs do not suffer from internal piles, but old dogs
occasionally have a form of external piles; then the anus becomes red,
inflamed, and swollen; small red pimples form about the part, inducing a
good deal of irritation, and causing the dog to drag the hind parts along
the ground.
_Treatment_: Dab the parts often with the following lotion:—
_Recipe_:
Goulard’s Extract of Lead, 1 drachm.
Tincture of Opium, 1 ”
Water to 6 ounces.
Mix.
Or the following ointment may be tried:—
Goulard’s Extract of Lead, 1 drachm.
Finely-powdered Boracic Acid, 1 scruple.
Cream, 1 ounce.
Mix.
Apply night and morning.
Some cooling medicine, as the following, does good:—
Cream of Tartar, 1 ounce.
Bicarbonate of Potash, 1 ”
Milk of Sulphur, 1 ”
Powdered Sulphate of Magnesia, 1 ”
From sufficient to cover a threepenny-piece to a teaspoonful[1] twice a
day with food.
=Poisons=:
_Strychnine_:
_Symptoms_: It all depends how the agent has been administered how
quickly it acts. If in a liquid form, the symptoms may commence in ten
minutes, or quicker; but if it has been given in a piece of meat, it
may be an hour or so before any signs appear. Then the animal becomes
restless; the limbs are stiff, and the dog walks with difficulty, and
with the hind legs stretched apart. Occasionally there is a violent
twitching or jerk of all the muscles of the body, as if the dog had a
galvanic shock, and then he suddenly falls to the ground, often in a
forward direction, and in acute tetanic spasm. The limbs are extended,
and as stiff as pieces of iron, the fore ones in a slightly forward
direction, and the hind legs in a backward direction. The head is
drawn back, and the back arched and the tail extended and stiff; the
eyes protrude, the mouth firmly closed, and the pulse extremely quick.
Respiration during the spasm, which lasts about half a minute or so,
entirely ceases. At the end of the attack the dog gives a few heavy
sighs, and then commences to pant hard. The least movement or touch, or
even a noise, will cause a return of the convulsions, which continue at
frequent intervals, unless the dog is relieved by some suitable antidote,
or until death occurs, which generally takes place during a paroxysm. In
some cases, though the acute symptoms may have been checked by treatment,
the dog afterwards dies from the effect of the exhaustion.
_Treatment_: In all cases of poisoning, more especially when due to
strychnine, prompt action is required, and means should at once be taken
to make the dog disgorge what has been swallowed. An emetic that will
act well and quickly must be at once administered; for this there is
nothing better than a dose of hydrochlorate of apomorphia. This medicine
acts in two ways: it is the quickest and surest emetic; and besides, it
relieves the spasms. The dose is the twelfth of a grain for small dogs,
and about a quarter of a grain for large ones, given in a teaspoonful of
water; but the best way of administering it is by injecting it under the
skin with a hypodermic syringe; then from three[1] to ten minims of the
one in fifty solution is to be given. I always advise persons who keep a
number of valuable dogs to have a solution of apomorphia by them ready
for emergency, for whilst it is being obtained the patient may die, and
if huntsmen would always carry a small bottle of the solution with them
many a valuable hound’s life might be saved. When this medicine is not
at hand, some other emetic must be given. Ordinary table salt can always
be quickly procured, and from one teaspoonful[1] to a tablespoonful
should be given in warm water. If the dose does not act freely, repeat
it in a few minutes; or instead, give from five[1] to twenty grains of
powdered ipecacuanha, or from half[1] to three grains of tartar emetic.
Either of these may be shaken dry on the tongue. The dog must be made
to vomit somehow; but anything like salt, requiring a quantity of
water, is difficult to administer, as the dog’s mouth is often tightly
clenched, and trying to open it induces paroxysm, during which time it
is impossible to give anything by the mouth; and here the advantage
of the subcutaneous injection of apomorphia comes in. This may also be
repeated in a quarter of an hour, if the vomiting has not been free.
Besides the emetic, some medicine is necessary to relieve the spasms. For
this there is nothing better than chloral and bromide of potassium. From
fifteen[1] grains to two scruples of each may be given in from one[1]
to three tablespoonfuls of water, if the dog can be made to swallow;
and half the quantity of each may be given again in twenty or thirty
minutes, and repeated, if necessary, in half an hour. When the dog is
unable to swallow, from two[1] to six minims of nitrite of amyl, held to
the nose on a pocket-handkerchief, is useful. This may be repeated in a
quarter of an hour, or chloroform may be given. Also, inject into the
rectum from one[1] half to two drachms of laudanum in from one[1] to four
tablespoonfuls of water, which repeat in a quarter of an hour, and again
in another fifteen minutes if the paroxysms continue.
After the severe symptoms have passed, and the dog is weak and prostrate,
from a quarter[1] to two teaspoonfuls of brandy added to some milk may be
administered, and repeated every half hour for a time.
_Arsenic_:
_Symptoms_: The dog, shortly after taking the poison, becomes restless.
Violent sickness soon commences, the vomited matter being mixed with
blood. There is also acute diarrhœa, accompanied by severe straining,
and a good deal of blood is often passed with the motions. The dog is
extremely thirsty, has an anxious countenance, showing evident signs
of great pain, and breathes heavily. There may be severe convulsions,
followed by paralysis, collapse, and death.
_Treatment_: The vomiting at first should be encouraged by giving
an emetic, as three[1] to ten drops of the one in fifty solution of
apomorphia with a hypodermic syringe. If this is not at hand, give
from the twelfth[1] to a quarter of a grain of the same medicine in
a teaspoonful of water. Failing the apomorphia, give from five[1] to
twenty grains of sulphate of zinc in a little warm water, or even salt
and water. The vomiting may be kept up by getting the dog to drink warm
water. Besides endeavouring to free the stomach of all the arsenic, an
antidote is required to remedy the ill effect of the poison. For this
there is nothing better than dialysed iron given in large doses, as from
half[1] a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful every half hour until several
doses have been given. This may be followed by a large dose of castor
oil. About an hour afterwards some carbonate of bismuth should be given,
shaken dry on the tongue, from ten[1] grains to a drachm, which may be
repeated every hour or two. When there is great prostration, stimulants,
as brandy, are required, and when the patient is unable to swallow or
retain it in the stomach, from one[1] half to a drachm may be injected
under the skin frequently. If the body is cold wrap the dog up in hot
blankets, and place hot-water bottles around him. As improvement takes
place, milk thickened with arrowroot, barley, or rice water may be given.
If the dog appears in much pain after the acute stage has passed, small
doses of laudanum may be given, and hot linseed poultices applied to the
stomach.
In chronic cases of poisoning by arsenic—a not uncommon occurrence, as
this is a favourite remedy for skin diseases, and too much is often
given, or the medicine is given too long—the dog loses appetite and
condition, becomes very weak and emaciated, frequently vomiting a white,
frothy mucus as well as food.
There is often severe diarrhœa, and blood is passed with the motions.
There are signs of tenderness on pressure over the region of the stomach,
and excessive thirst. The membrane (conjunctiva) lining internal surface
of eyelids is red and congested.
_Treatment_: Discontinue the use of the arsenic immediately, give tonics,
as reduced iron, from one[1] to three grains made into a pill with an
extract of gentian. If the sickness continues, give from three[1] to ten
grains of carbonate of bismuth, shaken dry on the tongue, every three or
four hours.
For food, lean raw mutton, in small quantities, every three or four
hours, and milk to drink. If the latter is not retained, try it
peptonised with Fairchild’s powders, which can be obtained at most
chemists. When the sickness is very severe, Brand’s beef essence is
recommended, given in jelly form, in small quantities frequently.
_Phosphorus_:
_Symptoms_: There is vomiting, but not to the same extent as is seen
in cases of arsenic poisoning. The vomited matter, when taken into the
dark, is generally luminous, and it gives off that well-known odour of
phosphorus which resembles the smell of garlic; the same perfume may
be detected in the breath. If the dog survives the acute stage, in the
course of a few days the symptoms of jaundice may develop; there is
also a tendency to hæmorrhage from the nose. Poisoning by phosphorus is
often followed by convulsions, but sometimes coma; in other cases noisy
delirium.
_Treatment_: In treating cases of poisoning by phosphorus, oils and
other greasy substances must be always avoided, as it easily dissolves
in anything of an oily nature, and when such occurs greater mischief
happens. An emetic of sulphurate of zinc, from five[1] to twenty grains
in warm water, should be given as quickly as possible, and repeated in
ten minutes. If it has not acted, salt and water or ipecacuanha wine may
be given instead of the zinc, when the latter cannot be obtained.
After the sickness has ceased, administer a free dose of Epsom salts, and
keep the dog’s strength up with Brand’s beef-tea jelly; also give barley
or rice water to drink.
_Carbolic Acid_:
_Symptoms_: The dog shows signs of great pain, and is violently sick;
the lips, mouth, and tongue are white, swollen, and hard. There is great
prostration and signs of collapse, the lips and ears being cold. The
urine is of a dark brown colour, sometimes even black, or it may be
altogether suppressed. When a fatal dose has been taken, the pupils are
contracted, the dog soon becomes comatosed, breathing difficult, and
death follows. It is rather characteristic of carbolic acid poisoning
that the patient, a short time before death, often seems to rally, making
one (even persons of experience) think that the worst has passed, and
that he is going to get better. But a sudden collapse often occurs, and
death takes place unexpectedly. All cases do not run this acute course;
the membrane of the tongue and mouth may be badly burnt, which peels off,
leaving a large raw surface, which ulcerates. The same may occur in the
throat, and even in the stomach and bowels; and the dog gradually dies
from exhaustion, or even blood poisoning, a week or ten days after the
accident has happened.
_Treatment_: Give a large dose of Epsom salts at once, to be followed a
few minutes afterwards by an emetic, the apomorphia being the best—from
one[1] to two teaspoonfuls of one grain to two ounces of water solution.
Failing this, salt and water, or from five[1] to twenty grains of
sulphate of zinc in water; also give the white of an egg or olive oil to
relieve the burning irritation in the stomach. If symptoms of collapse
occur, give stimulants, as brandy and ether. When the patient is very
bad, these are more beneficial if injected under the skin; wrap the body
in hot blankets and apply hot-water bottles. The ulcers that form in
the mouth, the result of the caustic action of the acid, are often very
troublesome, and the discharge from them is most offensive. When such
is the case, keep the parts clean by sponging them frequently with a
saturated solution of chlorate of potash.
_Mercury_:
_Symptoms_: There are signs of pain, violent vomiting, accompanied by
profuse purging, the evacuations being mixed with blood; the lips,
tongue, and mouth are swollen and white. The patient soon shows signs of
collapse. The lips and ears become deadly cold; the breathing is heavy
and difficult; the secretion of urine is suppressed; coma and convulsions
follow, then death occurs.
_Treatment_: Encourage the sickness by giving warm water; also administer
large quantities of raw white of egg, flour and water and barley water.
Give brandy or ether subcutaneously, if signs of collapse occur.
In cases where slow poisoning by mercury occurs, caused by the
injudicious use of some of the preparations of this agent for the skin,
especially that called blue ointment, I have seen this salve applied as
freely all over a dog as one would use lard, with the result I need not
mention. Then there is the green iodide of mercury—a favourite remedy
of the late Stonehenge. This is a valuable preparation for old wounds,
for chronic eczema, and other skin diseases, used sparingly, and not
over a large surface. Then, again, repeated doses of calomel act very
injuriously.
_Symptoms_: Diarrhœa, the evacuations being stained with blood; loss of
appetite, sickness, great wasting; profuse flow of saliva from the mouth;
gums at first red and inflamed, subsequently become ulcerated—the breath
being horribly foul; a rash often appears on the skin, pustules form and
break, giving forth a fœtid discharge, and the hair falls off in patches.
These cases usually terminate fatally, the result of exhaustion, though
occasionally a patient may be saved when the case is taken in time.
_Treatment_: At first, give a mild dose of castor oil, with from three[1]
to ten drops of laudanum; the oil, etc., may be repeated in a couple of
days. Large and frequent doses of subnitrate of bismuth should also be
given. When the diarrhœa is very profuse, and there is much blood being
passed, tannic acid is useful, given in the following formula:—
_Recipe: The Pills_:
Tannic Acid, ½ to 4 drachms.[1]
Powdered Opium, 2 to 12 grains.
Ex. cip., _q.s._
Mix and divide into 12 pills.
_Dose_: One pill to be given every four or six hours, according to the
severity of the diarrhœa.
The mouth and gums should be kept clean by being frequently sponged with
a saturated solution of boracic acid.
Keep the strength up with strong beef-tea, thickened with isinglass, and
each time the dog is fed, give from half[1] to a teaspoonful of port
wine. Let the patient have milk with white of an egg added, or barley
water to drink.
A warm bath and a free application of some soap is beneficial. This is
more particularly the case when the attack is due to absorption of the
poison through the application of some ointment containing a mercurial
compound.
If the skin is very moist, apply to the parts freely some finely powdered
Fuller’s earth.
When the dog has become convalescent, some iron or bark tonic will assist
the patient to regain strength. Raw meat should also be given in small
quantities five or six times a day.
_Iodine and its Compounds, as Iodide of Soda or Potash, etc._: