The Dog's Medical Dictionary / An encyclopædia of the diseases, their diagnosis & treatment, and the physical development of the dog

Mumps:

Symptoms: Swelling of side of face, and just below the ear, which is very tender. Dogs suffering from this complaint are generally rather feverish. There is a loss of appetite and an excessive flow of saliva.

Treatment: Give a dose of purgative medicine and cover swelling over with a piece of spongiopyline, or a pad of cotton-wool covered over with oil-silk, and apply a bandage or put on a cap. Later, when the swelling has commenced to go down, give the following tonic pills:—

Recipe:

Divide into 12 pills. One to be given twice a day one hour after food.

Muscles (Wasting):

Symptoms: There may be general wasting of all the muscles of the body, the result of some long illness, as distemper; or there may be wasting of the muscles of one or more limbs, the result of want of use, as in cases of injury; or some disease of the spinal cord, causing paralysis, and occasionally wasting of the muscles of one or both sides of the head and face, the result of some injury to the head.

Treatment: When the result of illness, no special treatment is required beyond giving tonics, as cod-liver oil, for when the patient gets about again the muscles will fill up as before. When one or more limbs are affected as the result of disuse from lameness or paralysis, the limbs should be massaged and galvanised. When the head is affected, the case is often very obstinate, and sometimes the muscles never regain their normal size, but the best treatment is massage galvanism, and encourage the dog to gnaw big bones.

Muzzling a Dog:

The best way to muzzle a dog effectually, so that he cannot bite, is with a piece of strong tape which should be passed over the top of the nose, tied twice under the chin, and then the ends should be carried behind the ears, and again tied tightly.

Care must be taken in muzzling a bulldog, or you may interfere with his breathing. Therefore, after tying behind the head, one end of the tape should be passed under the tape which crosses the top of the nose, and this part pulled well up and tied with the other end of the tape over the forehead, so as to remove any pressure from the top of the nose. (See Illustration.)

Nails (Cutting):

This cannot be safely done with scissors, but proper nail-clippers should be used. When the nails are white, it is an easy matter, as the quick can be seen, and the nail may be cut off within the sixteenth of an inch of the quick; but when the nail is black, the quick cannot be seen, then the first one must be cautiously cut a little at a time. The dog will soon wince when the nippers are getting near the sensitive part. When one is done, it is an easy matter doing the rest, as they may be cut off in the same proportion as the first.

Nails (Dew-Claws):

The dew-claws or side-nails should always be removed from the back legs a few days after birth, by being cut off close to the limb with a pair of sharp scissors. I always consider it would be a good plan if it was a custom to remove the dew-claws from the forelegs of all dogs also; of course, in some cases, as in fox-terriers and others, it is done.

Nails (Injuries, etc.):

Symptoms: Dogs with defective action wear their nails away (more particularly those on the forelegs) to the quick, which causes lameness. Some dogs’ nails are very brittle, and they crack and split to the quick, causing lameness. Toe-nails of dogs who do not have sufficient exercise turn over as they grow, and the point becomes embedded into the pad, causing swelling, suppuration, and great pain. The dew-claws of dogs who do not get the chance of digging often grow to a considerable extent, which weakens and makes them liable to break, which often happens, and the quick becomes exposed and bleeds, causing the dog to go lame as if he had a broken leg. If they do not break, they grow, entering the pad as previously described.

Treatment: In cases of a dog wearing the claws away through defective action, as a rule, treatment is of little use; but if the dog is made to exercise on grass land, the nails will grow to an ordinary extent, and the dog walk much better, but the relief is only maintained whilst he is not allowed to run on hard roads. When the defective action of the limbs causing undue wearing of the nails is due to partial general paralysis—as the sequel of distemper, for instance—then it is only temporary, and will pass off as the patient improves in health and strength. To remedy the cracking and splitting of the nails is often a difficult matter. In some cases benefit is derived by the application of tar ointment, which should be well rubbed into the nails twice a day. The frequent application of glycerine is also a good remedy. In very bad cases, especially when only one nail is affected, it may be extracted.

When a nail has grown too long and injured the pad, the nail should be cut close to the quick without making it bleed; and when there is any festering, hot bread or linseed-MEAL poultices should be applied for a day or so. Afterwards the wound should be dressed with boracic ointment, and the foot kept in a canvas bag for a few days.

When a dew-claw becomes broken, it is nearly always through the quick. In such cases it is necessary to remove the claw by extraction with a pair of tooth forceps, and not by cutting, or the quick will be injured, and the nail will grow deformed. Afterwards anoint the raw surface with boracic ointment, cover over with a pad of boracic wool and bandage.

Nasal Catarrh:

Symptoms: Sneezing; a watery discharge from nose, followed by a semi-purulent discharge and coughing; but unlike distemper, the attack is seldom accompanied by fever and with little loss of condition, and as a rule, the dog is better in a few days.

Treatment: Put in a dry, warm room of a temperature about 60 degs. F.; give a dose of aperient medicine as from two[1] to ten grains of jalapin.

The next day, when this has worked off, commence the following pills:—

Recipe:

Divide into 12 pills—one to be taken every four hours.

When the discharge has ceased, and the appetite has become normal, if the cough continues troublesome, give from half[1] a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful of cod-liver oil two or three times a day.

Nasal Parasites:

Symptoms: Very occasionally dogs suffer from a worm in one of the nostrils called Pentastioma Tænoides. It is a worm varying in size from one and a half to two inches long, and about half an inch wide in the centre, tapering slightly at each end. It develops at the back of the nose, and whilst growing appears to cause no discomfort to its host; but when it commences to move, it induces a good deal of sneezing and a discharge of mucus from the nasal passage from the side where it is lodged. The dog eventually dislodges it during a violent attack of sneezing.

I have never seen more than one in a case, and the dog seems comfortable directly it has got rid of its guest.

Nasal Polypus:

Symptoms: A growth with a narrow neck which forms in the nasal passage causing irritation, sneezing and snorting, a purulent discharge which may sometimes be tinged with blood.

Treatment: Consists in removing the growth by ligature if it can be got at, or by an ecraseur or a snare; but it is a surgical case, and a veterinary surgeon should be consulted.

Necrosis (Diseased Bone):

Symptoms: Generally the result of some injury. The parts are swollen, inflamed, and very painful, and generally an abscess forms, which, if not lanced, bursts, discharging a thick, creamy and often offensive-smelling pus. The bone, which is generally dead, lies exposed at the bottom of the wound, which does not heal permanently until the dead bone comes away.

Treatment: At first, hot linseed-meal poultices dusted over with powdered charcoal are to be applied, and continued for some days after the abscess is open. Then lint saturated with carbolic oil, one in forty, is to be placed over the wound, and kept in place with a bandage. As a rule, after some time the dead bone exfoliates and comes away of itself, and the wound then soon heals, but in many cases, an operation is necessary to remove the dead bone.

Nephritis (Inflammation of the Kidneys):

Symptoms: Generally commences suddenly with an attack of shivering and a rise of temperature, there being often three or four degrees of fever accompanied by a rapid pulse. There is pain in the back, vomiting, scanty and high-coloured urine, or blood may be mixed with the water. In some acute cases it is quite suppressed, and the dog then suffers from uræmic poisoning. It may arise from a severe chill, but oftener from a stone in the kidneys.

Treatment: Give milk and Vichy water in equal parts to drink, also water to drink, to which has been added a teaspoonful of cream of tartar to every pint. Administer a dose of Epsom salts, from one scruple[1] to one ounce, dissolved in warm water, but given cold. If vomiting persistent, give from half[1] to two drops of diluted hydrocyanic acid in a teaspoonful of water, and ice to lick. After the acute stage has passed, give from one[1] to five grains of ammoniated citrate of iron, three times a day in water.

Nettlerash:

Symptoms: Generally arises suddenly, and often the result of a chill, as, for instance, a dog plunging into cold water when hot after exercise. When once a dog has had an attack, he is liable to a recurrence, and then indigestion will often induce it. The skin becomes suddenly nodulated or swollen in patches, the hair standing on end. The ears may be affected and become half an inch thick; the head is often attacked, and the dog is temporarily blind because the eyelids are swollen. Sometimes one or more legs are the seat of the trouble, and become three or four times their normal size; in other cases, large patches appear about the body. As a rule, it passes away almost as quickly as it comes.

Treatment: Keep dog quiet and warm whilst the attack is on, and give from half to two drops[1] of liquor arsenicalis (P. B.) in a little water every two or three hours. Also give a good dose of aperient medicine. For a few days after a dog has had nettlerash, he should be kept on a light milk diet, and given a course of arsenic, as from one to eight drops[1] of liquor arsenicalis in water, three times a day after food.

Neuralgia:

Symptoms: Dogs are affected with a form of neuralgia that attacks the muscles and nerves of the neck and shoulders. The pain, which is very acute, comes on quite suddenly, and the dog cries with it. The head is drawn into the body, as it were. The muscles are swollen, and very tense. There is a difficulty in walking; and when it is attempted, it is done very slowly and stiffly. The attack may last a couple of hours, sometimes longer, and then slowly passes off, and the patient may appear quite well; when all at once it may come on again as bad as before, and so keeps on for days, and sometimes weeks, unless some suitable treatment is adopted.

Treatment: The dog must be kept very quiet in these cases, as very often any sudden movement induces an attack. Give from two to ten grains[1] of salicylate of soda three times a day, made into a pill; and if the attacks of pain are very acute, also give two or three times a day, injected under the skin, from one-twentieth to the eighth of a grain[1] of hydrochlorate of morphia, with from ⅟₃₀₀th to ⅟₁₀₀th of a grain[1] of atropine, in from five[1] to ten minims of distilled water. At first these injections induce vomiting, but it soon ceases, and the treatment is a specific for the disease.

Nipples (Sore):

Symptoms: The nipples become swollen, inflamed, and cracked very often after a bitch has been nursing puppies some weeks, so much so that at last she will not allow the puppies to suckle.

Treatment: Wash the parts two or three times a day with boracic lotion, and anoint with boracic ointment after drying.

Nose (Bleeding):

Symptoms: May be due to injury of the head or face. It often occurs in cases of pneumonia, and it is a symptom of a polypus in the nose or ulceration of the membrane lining the nasal passages.

Treatment: When slight, no particular treatment is required; but if persistent, the cause should be ascertained, and if possible removed. When severe, as the result of some injury, ice may be held to the bridge of the nose; and if this does not stop it, then pour or inject about fifteen drops of the solution of adrenalin diluted four times with water into one or both nostrils. It is not advisable to plug the nostrils, as it distresses a dog to breathe through his mouth.

Nursing:

The first thing to be considered in nursing a sick dog is proper quarters for the patient to live in, for in all cases of serious illnesses he should not be allowed to run loose about a house and out of doors when he likes. If a house dog, he should be put in a good, well-ventilated room, with the temperature kept at as near 60 degs. F. as possible. Of course, in very hot weather that cannot be done, but as much air as possible must be given by keeping the windows wide open during the summer months. In winter or cold weather, the temperature of the room should be kept up to 60 degs. F. by means of artificial heat—an ordinary fire is best; failing this, a paraffin stove—avoid a gas stove if possible. Of course, with dogs who are in the habit of living out of doors it is different; but even with them, dry, large, well-lighted and ventilated, comfortable quarters, free from draughts, are absolutely necessary if the patient is to have a fair chance, and the temperature of the place should be kept up to 55 degs. F. A loose box in a stable that is kept clean makes a capital place; but unless the stable is kept very clean, it smells of ammonia, which is fatal to a dog suffering from distemper, because pneumonia and bad eyes are sure to develop.

Sick dogs should always be kept separate. It is a great mistake to put three or four together.

As to diet for patients, see article on Invalid Food; when they will not take food voluntarily, a small quantity, varying according to size of dog, must be given often, about every two hours or oftener, day and night. It is useless to feed a dog well for sixteen hours, and to leave him to chance for eight. It is often during the night, when the system is at its lowest, that a little good nourishing food, with some stimulant, is most wanted; and it is this attention that saves the patient in many cases.

The preparation of food is most important. It should either be done by one’s self, or under the personal superintendence of a responsible person. All milk food should be made fresh three times a day, and any that is left over should be thrown away. All feeding utensils must be kept scrupulously clean, and the spoon, bottle, or feeding-cup that is used for food or medicine should be washed and dried immediately after being used, ready for next time. The cooking utensils also must be kept scrupulously clean. If these things are not attended to, diarrhœa and sickness result, and the patient is weakened, and perhaps has a relapse. Also keep the sick dog scrupulously clean. Each time after feeding clean his lips with a little weak solution of Condy’s fluid on a pad of cotton-wool—which should be thrown away immediately after using—and dry with soft cloth; also cleanse the fundament and prepuce once a day with the same preparation, and keep the eyes free of discharge with a little weak boracic acid lotion, and also clean the teeth with a weak solution of permanganate of potash. This is very important.

As well as attending to the patient, the room or kennel requires frequent attention. Do not make the air stuffy with strong disinfectants, but it is a good plan to sprinkle the floor, whether a kennel or room, with pine sawdust, and if the flooring be wood, to cover it over with sheets of old newspapers, which may be covered with sawdust, and then all evacuation can be carried away and burnt, for when a dog is very ill he ought not to be allowed to go out. There are some dogs who are so clean that they will not make themselves comfortable in a room, and it becomes absolutely necessary to let them out rather than make them worse by keeping them in. But a dog may be kept for some hours, twelve or even sixteen, to see if he will not give way. Once he has relieved himself in the room, and finds he is not scolded, he gains confidence, and is not so particular in the future. To make an obstinate dog do what is necessary in a room, especially when the weather is bad, and when perhaps it would be fatal to let him out, I give either a dose of aperient medicine or an enema, which invariably has the desired effect.

Do not always be fidgeting an invalid. Do what is necessary, and then leave him alone.

Take the temperature regularly three times a day, at the same time each day, and keep a record on a chart; also, if you can, at the same time count the pulse and the number of respirations per minute, and record them for reference. In all cases of severe illness, it is a good plan to put the dog in a flannel jacket, as depicted in the illustration.

The points to be remembered are:—

1. Dry, well-ventilated, light quarters of a proper temperature.

2. Cleanliness of patient.

3. Cleanliness of the surroundings.

4. Cleanliness of everything used for the patient.

5. Not to fidget the patient, but to give him food and medicine at regular stated times.

6. To keep the body warm, but the air he breathes fresh and cool. Fresh air never kills, but foul air often does.

The best kind of bed for a small dog being nursed in a room is a basket with a cushion in, which should be covered over with a white cloth or towel to be changed daily. For a kennel or loose box a bench should be supplied, raised a few inches from the ground, and long and wide enough for the dog to lie out full length. Straw makes a good bedding, and should be changed often.

In nursing surgical cases, cleanliness is even more important than in medical cases, and the patient should be kept under similar conditions. It is important to take the temperature twice a day at least, for a rise of temperature is the first symptom of suppuration in a wound, and shows that it is not healing in a normal manner; or if healing, by suppuration it points to pus being pent up somewhere, and the surgeon’s attention is required.

Clean bandages and dressing should be put on every time a wound is dressed, and the bandages taken off should be washed in some disinfectant like Pearson’s fluid, dried and ironed, ready for use again. The old dressing which has been in contact with the wound should be burnt.

Bitches in the nest with puppies require, for the first week at least, as careful nursing as an invalid, and the temperature for the first week regularly taken. It is always a little above normal during the first few days, about 102·4 degs. F. (taken in the bowel); but if it rises over 103 degs. F., the case is not taking a normal course, and an examination should be made. Possibly there may be a dead puppy or one of the fœtal envelopes left behind, which, of course, must be immediately removed, and the womb syringed out with a solution of permanganate of potash, one grain to the ounce of warm water; from two ounces to a pint[1] of the solution should be used at a time, and the injection repeated in a few hours. A saturated solution of boracic acid or clinesol, one grain to the ounce, may be used instead of the potash. In bad cases, when the temperature is over 104 degs. F., a solution of perchloride of mercury, one in three thousand, is the best remedy; but about a couple of minutes after giving an injection of this drug, the womb must be thoroughly washed out with warm water.

Obesity (Too Fat):

Symptoms: This is a common complaint of elderly pet dogs, especially pugs; but it is not, as generally supposed, always the result of overfeeding and want of exercise, for lots of dogs will put on flesh in spite of careful dieting, and then I generally put it down in these cases to a contented mind.

Treatment: In treating these cases, medicines are not advisable except occasionally giving a free purge. If any good is to be done it must be by dieting; and whatever food is given should be dry. Raw, or nearly raw, meat is the best food, for nearly all fat dogs put on this diet lose weight considerably, and at the same time improve in health by becoming brighter and livelier, and more ready to take exercise; but the meat must be given sparingly, say for a small dog like a pomeranian, one ounce and a half twice a day; and for a dog the size of a fox terrier, three ounces twice a day. The worst of this food is, it never seems to satisfy; in fact, a dog fed on raw meat always seems hungry. Raw meat does not answer in every case, for the dog sometimes gets fatter instead of thinner, as required. Then a diet of dry biscuit should be tried. For small dogs, Spratts’ pet-dog biscuits should be given—whole, if they will be taken that way, otherwise they must be broken up in small pieces, and no other food at all given; and the more exercise the better.

Œrchitis (Inflammation of the Testicle):

Symptoms: In young dogs it occurs as the result of injury; in old ones it arises from constitutional causes. The testicles become swollen and very painful, the scrotum is red and shiny. The dog walks and sits down with difficulty.

Treatment: Give a purge, as from two to ten grains[1] of jalapin. Foment the parts often with hot poppy-head tea, made by boiling a couple of crushed poppy-heads in a quart of water for ten minutes; then strain. Sometimes the application of an ice-bag gives more relief than the hot application.

Œstrum,

or the period of menstruation of the bitch, generally appears for the first time when the bitch is about eight or nine months old. With some foreign breeds, as in chows particularly, it often occurs for the first time sooner, even when the bitch is five or six months old. Occasionally, with very small bitches, the first heat may not appear until she is a year old. Once the period has commenced, it generally occurs regularly twice a year, but in a few exceptional cases every three or four months. The heat generally lasts from three to four weeks—that is, right from the commencement until the end.

The condition is recognised by the external parts—vulva—swelling, and a slight mucus discharge, which continues for about a week; then the discharge is pinkish, and after a few days blood-coloured. This latter condition continues for about eight or nine days, to be followed by a mucus discharge again, until the heat has ceased, when the parts have assumed their normal size.

Ophthalmia:

Symptoms: Generally both eyes are affected, the membrane (conjunctival) is intensely inflamed, and there is a good deal of purulent discharge. There is intolerance to light, and as a consequence, the lids are kept partly, if not quite, closed.

Treatment: Keep the dog for a time in a darkish room, and bathe the eyes three or four times a day with the following lotion:—

Recipe:

Anoint the edges of the lids at night-time with vaseline to prevent their sticking together.

A good purge is beneficial.

Care must be taken to prevent the dog rubbing the eyes, or he may severely injure them; and bandages should be placed round the ankles covering the dew-claws.

Otorrhœa:

See Canker of Ear.

Ozœna:

Symptoms: There is a chronic purulent or mattery discharge from the nostrils which often has a very offensive odour.

Treatment: Syringe the nose thoroughly every day with from ten to thirty drops[1] of tincture of hydrastis, mixed with one[1] to four tablespoonfuls of tepid water. Give cod-liver oil, also iron and quinine tonic pills.

Palpitation:

Symptoms: Increased action of the heart; if bad, it beats with a thumping action, shaking the whole body, the dog is restless and pants, and may in some cases faint.

Treatment: Put the dog on a raw meat diet for a time, and avoid violent exertion, but the dog may have regular walking exercise. Give aperient medicine and a course of the following mixture:—

Recipe:

From one teaspoonful[1] to a tablespoonful to be given three times a day one hour after food.

Paralysis:

Symptoms: Not uncommon after distemper, and may follow fits; injury to the back and rheumatics are frequently the cause. More often seen in dachshunds than other dogs. The whole body may be affected, including all four legs, but the back part of the body, including the two hind legs, is the favourite seat of the disease. The dog is unable to stand, but drags the back legs after him when he moves. The bowels are constipated, and the dog is unable to pass water, though later it may dribble away. The dog may not be ill in himself, and will generally take his food. When the seat of the mischief is in the brain, all four limbs are useless, and the dog lies on his side in a miserable, helpless condition, often even being unable to raise his head from the ground.

Treatment: The condition of the bowels and bladder must first be attended to. Aperient medicine should be given, and if it does not act in a few hours, an enema of warm soapy water (from two tablespoonfuls[1] to half a pint) administered, and repeated in a couple of hours if it does not operate. The urine must be drawn off with a catheter if relief cannot be obtained by pressure over the seat of the bladder. This, as a rule, is sufficient, and should be repeated two or three times a day, until the dog is able to relieve himself. If a catheter has to be used, twice a day should do, but care must be taken to keep the instrument very clean. It is a good plan to keep it lying in a saturated solution of boracic acid when not in use.

When the paralysis is the result of an injury, do not give any medicine at first, except a purgative, but keep the patient quiet and allow time for the injured parts to heal. If there seems much pain—and there is sometimes when there has been an injury—give two or three times a day from three[1] to fifteen drops of liquor morphia in a little water. Do not let the dog lie always on one side, but change him over about every six hours. If in about a week there are no signs of movement, or return of strength in the legs, give the following pills:—

Recipe:

Divide into 12 pills—one to be given twice a day after food. Later, if the paralysis continues, the following pills may be tried, and the former discontinued:—

Recipe:

Divide into 12 pills. One to be given two or three times a day after food. The dog should be galvanised twice a day for about half an hour each time. A continuous current battery is best, and a blister should be applied to the loins, from the two last ribs to the points of the hips, and from two to four inches wide.[1]

When all four legs are affected, the result of some injured or diseased condition of the brain, the treatment should be the same as previously mentioned, except a blister should be applied to each side of the neck, along the course of the spine, instead of over the loins. The best blister to use is the liquor epipasticus; the hair, of course, should first be cut off close, or shaved, and the skin thoroughly washed and dried, and the blister should be gently rubbed into the skin with a piece of flannel for about three minutes. If it does not act well, rub a little red mercurial blister ointment into the parts the next day for a minute. Care must be taken that the dog does not lick the blisters, as they are poisonous. Two days later, the parts may be carefully washed and boracic ointment applied. Benefit is also derived in these cases by having the muscles of the limbs massaged.

When paralysis is the result of rheumatism—and in these cases it is 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:

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:

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.