Part 19

_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.

=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=:

_Symptoms_: Dogs, especially big ones, occasionally suffer from a very bad form of “wind or gas in the stomach”, which is a very serious illness, often terminating fatally in a few hours, due to rupture of the stomach, the result of over-distension. The gas is formed by a germ generally present in all dogs’ stomachs and bowels, and called “Bacillus Communis Colli”, and sometimes without any apparent reason or cause they take on an active form with the result as above mentioned. The attack usually comes on shortly after eating. The dog becomes restless and breathes quickly, the abdomen is full and tense, the dog has an anxious look, the eyes are congested, and the pulse very quick and small. The distension continues to increase, the abdomen often assuming an enormous size and hard as a drum, and the pain is acute. Unless relief is quickly obtained the dog suddenly collapses, the stomach having ruptured and the contents escaped into the abdominal cavity. Acute peritonitis sets in, and the dog dies in a few hours as much from shock as the disease.

_Treatment_: It is generally unsatisfactory, as the symptoms are so acute that there is little time to do anything before the dog becomes collapsed; however, now and then benefit is derived by giving a strong dose of antiseptic medicine, as cyllin, from two to six[1] minims, which can be obtained in gelatine capsules; the dose may be repeated in a couple of hours. If cyllin cannot be obtained give from two to fifteen[1] grains of Naphthol Beta in a cachet; this also may be repeated in a couple of hours. Failing this medicine, then give from five to forty[1] drops of Pearson’s Antiseptic Fluid in a gelatine capsule or cachet, and this too may be repeated in a couple of hours if necessary.

Sometimes benefit is derived by washing the stomach out with a solution of the fluid just mentioned diluted two hundred times with tepid water, using from one ounce to half a pint of the solution.[1] This must be done with a stomach pump. When everything else fails, it is advisable to submit the dog to an operation, which consists of opening the abdomen, and then puncturing the stomach to allow the gas to escape, but care must be taken not to let any of the contents of the stomach escape into the abdominal cavity. The wound made in the stomach must be afterwards carefully closed by Lembert’s sutures.

=Womb (Inflammation of)=:

_See_ UTERUS (INFLAMMATION OF).

=Worms in the Heart= (_Filaria Immitis_):

_Symptoms_: A common disease in China and not uncommon in Japan, but I believe there has never been a case in England when the dog has been born here, though some few dogs that have been imported from the countries named show symptoms of suffering from these parasites soon after arriving in this country by frequently suffering from convulsions, weakness in the back legs, and in some cases paralysis. A dog’s heart is often irregular in action, but in these cases it is particularly so, and after some great exertion the dog dies suddenly, the result of the worm interfering with the action of the heart.

In making _post-mortem_ examinations of dogs having died from the effect of these parasites, I have found as many as sixty worms in the heart, many of them measuring seven inches long.

_Treatment_: There is no known treatment that is likely to be of any service.

=Worms in the Stomach and Bowels=:

_Symptoms_: Round worms are more frequently found in young puppies than tapeworm, but occasionally the latter are found in puppies six or seven weeks old, whilst the round kind, called Ascaris Marginata, are present in puppies ten days old, when they look like pieces of cotton about an inch to an inch and a half long, and pointed at both ends. When present in such very young puppies they generally cause enteritis and death. A puppy suffering badly from worms does not thrive and grow, he generally eats voraciously. The stomach is distended sometimes to a very great extent, causing difficulty in breathing, the muscles waste, the legs and neck becoming quite thin. The action of the bowels is irregular, but as a rule, there is diarrhœa to a more or less extent, and sometimes vomiting, when the worms have passed into the stomach, and, if the worms are not got rid of, rickets is often the result.

With tapeworms the symptoms vary considerably. Some dogs may be infested with worms and yet not lose flesh, but as the result suffer from eczema, which disappears when the worms have been expelled; but as a rule, a dog eats well but does not put on flesh, and has a tucked-up appearance. The bowels are often irregular, the breath offensive, the coat dull and staring, and the dog is listless. The most positive symptoms of worms is when segments looking like small pieces of dried rice are found about the underneath parts of the tail and on the dog’s bed.