the body in which they appear. A tumour, unlike an abscess, generally
forms slowly, and is at first usually not painful, and moreover, is not
accompanied during the early stages by a rise of temperature as is found
when an abscess is forming.
_Treatment_: It is seldom that a tumour of any kind can be reduced or
removed except by a surgical operation. I have sometimes thought that
gently rubbing the tumours formed on the milk glands, especially when
small, daily for some time with iodine vasogen has checked their growth.
Directly a tumour has been diagnosed, unless the patient is a very old
one, it is best to have it removed before it has developed into a large
growth; the operation, unless the tumour is situated in the neck, is
a simple one, and the wound, with ordinary aseptic precautions, heals
in seven or eight days. Of course there are some exceptions, as, when
the tumour is a cancer or some other malignant growth, it is not always
advisable to sew the wound up after operation, but then of course it
takes much longer to heal.
=Ulcers=:
_Symptoms_: These are unhealthy wounds or sores left after decay or
destruction of some superficial parts of the body.
_Treatment_: Keep them clean by sponging two or three times a day with
Pearson’s fluid—one teaspoonful to half a pint of water. For a day or
two apply either hot linseed-meal poultice dusted over with powdered
charcoal, or a piece of lint soaked in a saturated solution of boracic
acid, placed over the wound and covered with oil-silk, then bandage. When
the wound looks cleaner, healthier, and discharges less, and there are
signs of healing by the formation of new skin around the edges of the
wound, simply cover it over with some carbolic gauze squeezed out in a
solution of boracic acid, and apply a bandage.
When an ulcer is healing very slowly, lint dipped in the following lotion
and applied to the ulcer stimulates healthy action and healing:—
_Recipe: The Lotion_:
Tincture Calendula, 3 drachms.
Sulphate of Zinc, 1 scruple.
Water to 6 ounces.
Mix.
Apply as directed two or three times a day. In some cases dusting the
wound over with a powder made with one part of iodoform mixed with eight
parts of boracic acid. Amyloform is also another good healing powder.
It is necessary to keep the dog’s tongue away from it, otherwise he is
continually licking off the new skin as it forms.
=Uræmia=:
_Symptoms_: This condition generally follows some severe illness
affecting the kidneys or bladder when the suppression of the secretion
of urine has occurred. Anything that stops the flow of water from the
bladder, as stone or stricture, may cause it; it also occurs in bad cases
of stone in the kidney. In these cases the dog is very ill, there is
an entire loss of appetite and often severe vomiting; a heavy, sleepy
condition soon comes on, and the temperature is very high. The white of
the eyes are greatly congested, and any urine passed is of dark colour
and may be mixed with blood. Sometimes there are convulsions, but the dog
soon sinks into a comatose state. As a rule these cases terminate fatally.
_Treatment_: It is often difficult to give medicine by the mouth in these
cases as the vomiting is generally so severe and frequent, but the dog
is able, as a rule, to drink milk and Vichy water in equal parts. If
possible, give a purgative, Epsom salts being about the best. The dose
is from fifteen grains to one ounce,[1] given in water, or with milk
and Vichy water if the dog can be persuaded to take it. Small doses of
urotropine stimulates the action of the kidneys, from one[1] to eight
grains in a cachet may be given every four or six hours. Hot linseed-meal
poultices to loins relieve the kidney congestion.
As to diet, milk and Vichy water are quite sufficient to sustain the dog
for two or three days, when, if patient is better, fish may be given,
but when this cannot be digested, peptonised milk, from one to six[1]
tablespoonfuls, may be given every two hours.
=Urethritis=:
_Symptoms_: Pain when passing water, or when handled; mattery discharge
often tinged with blood from passage. The penis is swollen and red from
the inflammation. This condition is generally caused by the passage of
gravel, and it may also be the result of frequently passing a catheter.
_Treatment_: Hot poppy-head fomentations do good. For medicine give from
three[1] to twenty grains of hyposulphite of soda in water three times
a day. If there is much pain, from two[1] to ten drops of tincture of
henbane may be given with each dose of the above.
Feed principally on a milk diet; some boiled fresh fish may be given, but
meat must be avoided.
=Urine (Incontinence)=:
_See_ INCONTINENCE OF URINE.
=Urine (Sediment in)=:
_Symptoms_: The urine may be passed white and cloudy, or clear, but of a
high colour, and when cold there is a thick, yellowish-white deposit.
_Treatment_: When accompanied by some illness with a high fever, no
special treatment is necessary, as the condition will pass away as the
health improves, but when the symptoms described are present and the dog
seems otherwise apparently well, give a course of hyposulphite of soda,
from three to twenty[1] grains two or three times a day in water or a
little milk. A dog will generally take this medicine himself when mixed
with milk.
_Diet_: Milk, tripe, stewed rabbit, etc., with rice or bread, but avoid
red meat.
=Urticaria=:
_See_ NETTLERASH.
=Uterus, Inflammation of (Metritis)=:
_Symptoms_: This disease generally occurs after heat, and is a condition
which old bitches are more subject to than young ones. The exciting cause
is generally due to something which stops the natural discharge, as a
chill, the result of washing a bitch during heat, or from getting wet
by rain. Once this disease has occurred it often follows every period
of œstrum. The signs of inflammation of the womb do not come on very
suddenly like other inflammations, there is for two or three days a loss
of appetite and dulness, the bitch is thirsty, and if the temperature
is taken, there will be generally found two or three degrees of fever.
There is generally loss of flesh, though the abdomen will be noticed
large and harder than usual, and painful to the touch. The symptoms
gradually increase in severity, and the bitch becomes very ill and weak
and refuses food of all kinds, and if forced with any it generally
induces vomiting. About the third week there are signs of some discharge
from the vagina, pinkish in colour and very offensive, which quickly
increases in quantity and seems to pour away, a small bitch often getting
rid of half a pint or more in a short time. Once the discharge commences,
the bitch appears better, the temperature falls, she is brighter and is
inclined to take some nourishment, but there is always a danger of the
matter accumulating again. When the discharge does not come away through
the natural passage, the womb ruptures, inducing acute peritonitis. Then
there is a sudden collapse of the patient, the mouth and limbs go cold,
the abdomen is very painful, the pulse becomes very rapid and almost
imperceptible, and death occurs within twelve hours.
_Treatment_: There is little to be done in these cases. The bitch should
be kept very quiet, in a dry, warm place; hot linseed-meal poultices
should be applied to the abdomen for four or five hours daily—of course,
being changed from time to time. When the poultices are removed, a
flannel bandage is to be placed round the abdomen. Hot boracic lotion
should be freely pumped into the vagina night and morning to relax
the neck of the womb. Medicine is generally not of much use, though,
if the discharge does not come away, from a half to two[1] grains of
permanganate of potash made into a pill with resin ointment, and given
three times a day, is beneficial in some cases.
It is important to keep the patient’s strength up. Give plenty of milk;
if it is not retained try it with equal parts of Vichy water; also
give Brand’s beef essence and raw-meat juice. Tripe and fish may also
be tried, and when there is great weakness and food is not retained by
the stomach, peptonised beef suppositories may be made use of. Small
quantities of brandy occasionally do good.
Once the discharge has come away tonic medicine is to be given, as the
following pills:—
_Recipe_:
Salicylate of Quinine, 2 to 12 grains.[1]
Reduced Iron 6 to 36 grains.
Extract of Gentian, _q.s._
Mix.
Make twelve pills—one to be given two or three times a day.
Once the temperature is normal, scraped raw meat and other strengthening
foods must be given.
=Vagina (Discharge from)=:
_Symptoms_: Bitches occasionally suffer from a white mattery discharge
from the vagina, sometimes before or more often after being on “heat”.
Sometimes after pupping a bitch will continue to discharge a thick,
tarry-looking blood for weeks, which causes weakness, and often upsets
the milk.
_Treatment_: In the former case, if the bitch is coming on heat, do not
interfere with it beyond keeping the external part clean by sponging
occasionally with a weak solution of Pearson’s antiseptic fluid; but when
it occurs after the heat, even though the bitch may have been served,
means must be taken to stop the discharge, which is very weakening.
Syringe the vagina night and morning with a warm solution of burnt alum,
say ten grains to every ounce of water, and use from two to ten[1] ounces
of the solution each time. The syringe should be one with a long nozzle,
and after being vaselined be passed into the passage as far as it will go.
Tonics should be given as from half[1] to three grains of sulphate of
iron made into a pill. Repeat twice a day after food.
When the discharge is of a bloody nature, as occurs after pupping,
syringe as just recommended, and give from half[1] to two grains of
ergotine added to each iron pill.
[Illustration: JAPANESE CHIBI OF TODDINGTON (IMPORTED).
The property of Mrs. Hugh Andrews, Toddington, Winchcombe, Glos.
_Norman May & Co, photo._] [_face p. 318._]
=Vagina (Injuries to)=:
_Symptoms_: Occurs sometimes during the birth of a puppy, even when being
naturally expelled, and it is often caused by instruments carelessly
used to extract a puppy. Injuries to the passage at this time are always
dangerous, as blood-poisoning often follows. The vagina may also be
injured by dragging apart a dog and bitch when “locked” together. This
is quite an unnecessary procedure, as they will quickly separate if the
dog’s testicles be gently but firmly pressed.
The vagina is also frequently injured by the passage of some foreign
substance into it, as a peg or stick, as I have seen done in cases of
prolapsus of this part. In these cases there is generally a mattery
discharge, and when the injury has occurred during the birth of a puppy
it may be very offensive, and in these cases there are symptoms of
blood-poisoning, as a high temperature, loss of appetite, vomiting, etc.
_Treatment_: In the latter mentioned cases—that is, when the injury
occurs during parturition, the passage should be first thoroughly
washed out with a tepid solution of perchloride of mercury, one in
three thousand, using from two to twenty tablespoonfuls,[1] and about
two minutes afterwards all traces of this should be removed by again
syringing the passage with water that has recently been boiled, used
just warm. Afterwards repeat the injections night and morning, now using
a saturated solution of boracic acid. If temperature is high, give from
one to five grains[1] of salicylate of quinine in a cachet, and if
temperature is not reduced in six hours, repeat the dose.
In ordinary cases of injury, simply washing the passage out night and
morning with a saturated solution of boracic acid or with a solution
of permanganate of potash—one grain to every ounce of warm water—is
sufficient.
=Vagina (Polypus of)=:
_Symptoms_: A pear-shaped growth with the narrow end attached to the
membrane of the vagina. In these cases the bitch is frequently straining
to pass water, and she is constantly licking the parts; and there is
generally some mucus discharge. After a time, especially when she comes
in season, the growth may show itself externally.
_Treatment_: It consists in drawing the growth gently out as far as it
will come, and placing a ligature of strong silk or catgut tightly round
the neck or narrow part, then severing the polypus by cutting through
the neck between the ligature and growth a full half-inch away from the
ligature. Afterwards syringe the passage out night and morning with a
warm solution of boracic acid.
=Vagina (Prolapsus of)=:
_Symptoms_: A condition that only occurs during the “heat” or œstrum of
a bitch. It is more common amongst large and bull-bitches than other and
smaller ones.
It shows itself as a pinkish, glistening body at the entrance to the
vagina (vulva). As the parts become more relaxed during the “heat” the
protrusion increases in size and prominence, and in a large bitch may be
as big as an orange. As the result of exposure, and being rubbed along
the ground when the bitch sits, the parts become sore and inflamed. The
protruding part is merely a fold of thickened and relaxed membrane of the
vagina, arising just forward of the passage to the bladder. The swelling,
which has a broad base (and in this respect is unlike a polypus, which
has a narrow constricted base), can be usually easily returned, but
it comes out again almost immediately. Once a bitch has suffered from
prolapsus of the vagina it generally occurs afterwards at each period of
heat unless removed by operation, though sometimes when a bitch has been
bred from, it does not occur again.
_Treatment_: The swelling disappears of itself as the “heat” passes, and
when the prolapsus is small and does not cause much discomfort it is just
as well to leave it alone, especially in cases where it is not intended
to breed from the bitch, and even when one does wish to breed, the
swelling can be returned just immediately before service and then there
is no difficulty, and under ordinary circumstances she will prove in pup.
When the prolapsus is very large and there is a difficulty, or it is
impossible to return it, it should be removed by operation, which is not
dangerous if ordinary aseptic care is taken, especially if an ecraseur is
used. When the prolapsus is removed by ligature, as recommended by some,
blood-poisoning and death sometimes occur.
After removal, all that is necessary is to syringe the vagina out night
and morning with a warm solution of boracic acid for a few days, and keep
the bitch on a light diet.
=Vagina (Stricture of)=:
_Symptoms_: This frequently occurs with bitches, more particularly with
griffons and bulls. It does not cause any inconvenience, and it is seldom
found out until it is wished to breed from her, and then proper service
is not possible in consequence of the passage being constricted with a
sort of fibrous ring.
_Treatment_: It consists in forcibly dilating the passage either with
dilating forceps, or if these are not at hand it can easily be done with
a well-greased finger. It is best to pass the point of the small finger
first, and then afterwards the forefinger. Care must be taken not to use
too much force to injure the parts. There is no objection to the bitch
being served immediately after the dilatation has taken place.
=Vagina (Tumour of)=:
_Symptoms_: The vagina is subject to a variety of tumours, as cancer,
sarcoma, and particularly to a form of growth of a malignant and
contagious nature to which bull-bitches seem especially liable. They are
red, with broad base, and have the appearance of a ripe raspberry, but
often larger. They vary in size from a raspberry to a Tangerine orange.
They are particularly vascular, bleeding at the slightest touch. The
growths extend inwards and outwards, often eating the vulva away. There
is always more or less of a blood-like discharge.
_Treatment_: There is no cure for cancer or sarcoma when once
established: the bitch should be mercifully destroyed. With regard to
the other form of tumour described, with treatment the disease can be
checked and the bitch may breed, but it is seldom or ever radically
cured, and it is a question whether it would not be the soundest policy
to destroy all bitches affected with this disease in consequence of its
contagious nature, for although one bitch does not contract it from
another, a bitch going to a dog when affected in this way is certain
to infect the dog, and it may be some time before it is found out with
him, and in the meantime he may, if a popular stud dog, have infected
many bitches. If treatment is decided upon, the affected parts should
be thoroughly curetted or scraped, and when the bleeding has ceased the
raw surface from where the growths have been removed should, with the
aid of a speculum, be dressed with chromic acid mixed with equal parts
of water. The caustic must be repeated once or twice a week, and the
scraping occasionally, if there are signs of the tumours growing again.
The treatment is often a long and tedious one.
=Varicocele=:
_Symptoms_: A swelling, varying in extent in the scrotum and along the
spermatic cord, feeling not unlike a bag of worms. It generally occurs
on the left side. The affected testicle of the same side generally gets
smaller and soft, and the complaint is sometimes accompanied by a good
deal of pain.
_Treatment_: Attend to general health, keep bowels well open, give
regular exercise, and avoid much meat. The local application of cold
water often does good. When no improvement takes place, and the condition
causes the dog much discomfort, it is advisable to have the testicle of
the affected side removed by operation. Such treatment does not interfere
with stud work.
=Vertigo=:
_Symptoms_: Old dogs suffering from chronic asthma, accompanied by a weak
heart, often turn giddy and fall after a severe attack of coughing. The
attack seldom lasts for more than a few moments, and the dog jumps up
again looking rather vacant, but is soon himself.
_Treatment_: Give a good dose of purgative medicine, as from two to
twelve[1] grains of jalapin, as the liver is often engorged with blood in
cases of chronic asthma or chronic bronchitis. Afterwards, a course of
the following mixture is advised:—
_Recipe_:
Tincture Nux Vomica, 1 drachm.
Tincture Digitalis, 2 drachms.
Water to 6 ounces.
_Doses_: From one to four[1] teaspoonfuls three times a day after food.
For small dogs a quarter or half the above quantity of mixture may be
made.
_Diet_: Raw meat.
=Voice (Loss of)=:
_Symptoms_: Dogs sent away from home or confined anywhere, and are
constantly barking one hour after another as they will do, often lose
their voice, and after a time, when attempting to bark, they simply make
a husky noise.
_Treatment_: The condition soon rights itself when the cause is removed
and the dog leaves off trying to bark. A teaspoonful of glycerine and
water, or a little vaseline, soothes the throat in these cases.
=Vomiting=:
_Symptoms_: Vomiting is a symptom of disease, as indigestion, gastritis,
gastric catarrh, kidney trouble, peritonitis, enteritis, stoppage of the
bowels, biliousness, poisoning, etc.
_Treatment_: This must depend on the cause, and the case treated
accordingly.
Many cases of simple vomiting may be checked by giving iced Vichy water
to drink, also allowing the dog to lick ice, and in severe cases the
following mixture will often be found useful:—
_Recipe_:
Diluted Hydrocyanic Acid, 24 drops.
Liq. Bismuth, 3 drachms.
Water to 3 ounces.
From half to two[1] teaspoonfuls to be given every three or four hours.
Small quantities of Brand’s beef or chicken essence, or Benger’s
peptonised beef-tea, may be given in jelly form.
When the sickness is very obstinate the stomach should be given absolute
rest for six hours or longer, and if there is great weakness nourishment
should be given by rectum, as just warm peptonised milk from one[1] to
six tablespoonfuls every four hours alternately with peptonised beef
suppositories.
=Warts=:
_Symptoms_: Excessive growth of the papillæ of the skin, resulting in the
formation of small nodules of a roughened and scaly nature. They grow
or develop in all parts, and old dogs, especially dachshunds, are very
subject to them.
_Treatment_: When the wart has a narrow neck it is best removed by tying
a ligature of silk tightly round it, but when it has a broad base this
treatment is not practical; then some mild caustic should be applied,
as acetic acid, tincture of iodine, or a twenty-five per cent. solution
of chromic acid. It is only necessary just to touch the wart with the
caustic on the end of a wooden match once a day. When the wart is very
large, it is best removed by being cut out and the skin wound brought
together by a few stitches, and then treated as an ordinary wound. Warts
on the eyelids must never be cauterised, but always removed by ligature,
unless there is a broad base, when they should be cut out with the points
of a pair of probe-pointed scissors. Warts on very old dogs are best left
alone unless they are troublesome and are frequently bleeding, when they
should be removed in the ordinary way.
=Water on the Brain=:
_See_ HYDROCEPHALUS.
=Weaning=:
Puppies must not be weaned suddenly, but by degrees, as the milk
continues to be secreted, and if not drawn off by the puppies or
artificially, it collects in large quantities, causing much pain and
often abscesses to form. When there is a large litter, and the mother is
not very strong, the youngsters may be taught to lap, when three or four
weeks old, artificially prepared bitches’ milk made as follows:—
_Recipe_:
Cow’s Milk, 15 ounces.
Casein or Plasmon, 2¼ ”
Cream, 2¼ ”
Water, 5 ”
Mix the casein into a paste with the water, then add the milk, thoroughly
stirring. Put in an enamel saucepan and bring gradually to a boil, and
boil for two minutes. Set aside to cool, and when cold, add the cream,
and well stir again.
For a change, Sanatogen may be given with milk or Spratt’s invalid food.
Cows’ milk diluted with water should never be given as is often done, and
the puppy’s digestion ruined by over-dilating the stomach, for the puppy
has to take such a quantity to get sufficient nourishment, whereas dogs
have only a small stomach and require concentrated food.
Puppies should commence to be weaned when about six weeks old. The bitch
at first should be kept away from her offspring during the day, say for
three or four days; afterwards she should be allowed to visit them night
and morning, say for about an hour each time, so long as there are any
signs of milk being secreted.
To help to disperse the milk, a dose of castor oil, from one teaspoonful
to three[1] tablespoonfuls, may be given the bitch occasionally.
If anything is rubbed on the milk glands, like methylated spirits and
water, or spirits of camphor, etc., it must be carefully washed off
before the bitch is allowed to return to the puppies. If the glands
become hard and knotted they must be kneaded with camphorated oil until
soft, and then the contents drawn off with the fingers or a proper
breast-pump.
For hints how to feed young puppies, _see_ article on FEEDING in the
Appendix.
=Wen=:
_Symptoms_: A small roundish or oval tumour of smooth surface situated
just under the skin, and one that moves freely about, it being
unattached. It is a simple growth and quite painless.
_Treatment_: The only thing to be done in these cases is removal by
operation, which is quite a simple matter, for when the skin covering the
wen is cut through the little tumour is easily squeezed out. The wound
should be afterwards sewed up, some carbolic gauze applied, which should
be kept in its place with a bandage or jacket.
=Wind in the Stomach=: