Part 5

People often think a dog cannot have distemper unless there is a discharge from the nose; this is a mistake, but it certainly does occur in most cases, though it does not appear as a rule until the dog has been ill for some time. If the lungs become affected, the breathing is short and quick, not panting with the mouth open; the chest is tender on pressure. At first there is no cough, but after two or three days there is a suppressed painful cough, with retching. The pulse is often much accelerated, the beats varying from 110 to 140 per minute. In some cases the pulse is very slow, and may only be 48 to the minute; of course, this refers to a big dog. A pulse of this kind is worse than a fast one with pneumonia. When it is between 60 and 70 in a small dog, it is also serious with lung complications. The heart’s action in dogs is very frequently intermittent even in health. The eyes during distemper are often a source of anxiety, and in those dogs with prominent orbits, as spaniels, pugs, etc., there is always an inclination for ulcers to form, which are extremely painful.

The worst complications of all in distempers are those affecting the nervous system; the brain and its membranes may become inflamed, and fits follow, or the spinal cord and its membranes attacked, and paralysis or chorea, or perhaps both, occur. These complications of the nervous system may often be prevented by not letting the dog out too soon after distemper. The temperature should be regularly taken, and the patient not allowed to go out of doors or be excited in any way until the temperature has been normal at least ten days. Sometimes suddenly changing the diet from liquid to solid food will induce fits.

Occasionally in distemper a crop of pustules appears on the inside of the legs and over the stomach—in fact, in some cases all over the body. This is rather a good sign than otherwise, for they seem to relieve the system of the distemper poison.

To treat distemper successfully, good nursing and dry, warm, comfortable quarters for the patient are the two essential things. For outdoor dogs, a loose box in a stable makes a capital place, and in cold weather the temperature should be kept as near 55 deg. F. as possible. Dogs who are in the habit of living indoors should be put in a well-ventilated room, and the temperature kept up between 60 and 65 deg. F. It is a good plan to cover the floor with sawdust, which should be changed at least once a day, and oftener when necessary. The dog should not be let out of the box or warm room for _anything_. Very often at first there are difficulties with very clean dogs, but it can generally be overcome with perseverance. Sometimes a little soiled straw from a kennel thrown down in the room is useful. Some dogs may be taught to use a tray or box filled with sawdust or mould. Directly a dog shows signs of distemper he should be sewn up in a flannel coat to keep the chest warm.

As to diet, if it is only a slight case, a light meal of bread or crushed biscuit with gravy or milk may be given three or four times a day.

For a change, a little well-boiled fish with rice, or sheep’s head broth and rice, or bread. Milk may be given freely to drink.

In all cases of distemper it is important to keep the eyes free of discharge by cleaning or bathing them frequently with some warm boracic lotion, made by dissolving half a teaspoonful of boracic acid in half a pint of warm water. When the discharge is very free and continues, in addition to keeping them clean with this lotion a little of the following may be run on to the eyes, especially on the inside of the lower lid:—

_The Lotion for Eye_:

Chinosol, 3 grains. Water to 6 ounces.

To be applied three times a day after cleansing with the boracic.

In severe cases where the discharge is very profuse and offensive, a little powdered iodoform may be dusted over the front of the eye two or three times a day. If ulcers form they are to be treated the same way: and if the eyes are very painful, add to every half-pint of boracic lotion four grains of hydrochlorate of cocaine.

As the dog recovers from distemper, and the discharge ceases, if there is any opacity of the corners left, the following ointment should be used:—

_The Ointment for Eyes_:

Yellow Oxide of Mercury, 1 grain. Vaseline, 1 drachm.

Mix.

A small piece should be placed between the lids, and then gently rub the upper eyelid over the eye for one minute so as to work the ointment in. Repeat twice a day. In some cases the opacity is very obstinate, and cannot be removed by the ointment, then the following drops may be tried:—

Divine Stone, 2 grains. Solution Sulphate Atropine, 12 maximum. Distilled Water to ½ ounce.

One or two drops to be placed in the eye twice a day.

The dog should be held for a few minutes after this lotion has been applied or he may rub the eye.

After distemper, eczema often follows as the result of weakness; tonics should be given and the disease treated in the ordinary way.

Some dogs during distemper, especially in bad cases, discharge a thin, purulent, offensive matter or pus from the skin around the mouth, head, under the neck, and inside of ears. This condition, which is more often seen in bloodhounds than other dogs, is a very bad sign.

The parts should be thoroughly cleansed once a day by being washed with Pearson’s Antiseptic diluted eighty times with warm water, carefully dried with soft cloths, and then freely dusted with some absorbent powder, as anylyform, or with the following:—

Powdered Burnt Alum, 1 ounce. Powdered Boracic Acid, 1 ounce. Powdered Starch, 6 ounces.

Mixed together.

Tonics, especially quinine, are indicated during this condition, as the discharge is very weakening.

When the appetite is very bad, the patient may be tempted with some giblet soup or a little well-stewed rabbit and bread, or rice. Very often, in bad cases, the dog absolutely refuses all food; he must then be drenched with strong meat tea, or with milk thickened with Benger’s food. When there is an inclination to diarrhœa, the beef tea and milk should be thickened with cornflour or arrowroot. One of the best ways of making meat tea is with beef, mutton, and veal, say half a pound of each cut up very fine; this should be gently simmered with a pint of water for three or four hours, and then strained off. Of this, from a tablespoonful[1] to a small teacupful may be given every three or four hours alternately with the milk food. In addition to this, if the dog will drink raw beef tea, which they will often do, it may be given freely. This is best made as follows: Half a pound of lean raw meat passed through a sausage machine; to this add half a pint of water, and place in an earthenware jar in front of a fire for two or three hours, stirring occasionally; then strain off through a cloth. Some pressure is required to get all the juice out of the meat. It requires to be made fresh every day. When the patient is very weak and exhausted, feeding is necessary every hour or two, as only very small quantities of food can be retained. Then strong meat extracts are required. Plasmon may also be tried mixed with milk, and Valentine’s meat juice with milk. Of this latter from fifteen[1] drops to a teaspoonful, with one[1] to four teaspoonfuls of milk. Invalid Bovril may be given instead of Valentine’s for a change in the same proportions, but fresh meat juice from raw meat is as strong as anything. As to stimulants, there is no doubt, when the dog is very low and the pulse weak, from ten[1] drops to a teaspoonful of brandy does good. When the dog is eating all right himself, it may be given in a little water after food, but when one is drenching the food it should be mixed with it.

There is no doubt that dogs who continue with a good appetite through distemper do much better, and have a better chance of recovering, no matter how severe the attack may be, than those bad feeders who refuse food and have to be drenched. A little food taken voluntarily does much more good than a lot forced upon the dog; therefore I advise tempting the patient with a variety of diet, so as to get him to eat something himself—of course, given in small quantities, particularly when the case is bad. I always commence with soup and milk alternately, mixed with bread, biscuits, or rice; as the dog gets tired of these, I add a little meat, say from a sheep’s head or stewed neck of mutton; for a change some fish, boiled tripe, or stewed rabbit, and if the dog goes off these I try scraped raw meat. I never commence forcing food if I can help it, for I find, once this is started, there is always a difficulty in getting the dog to eat anything himself.

As to medicine, the more experience one gets the more one finds this is quite secondary in treating distemper. I do not believe in specifics, and, do what one may, the disease under the best circumstances will run a certain course. In simple cases, where the temperature is not very high, an occasional mild dose of syrup of buckthorn and castor oil is often all that is required. This is necessary, as the dog cannot go out and take exercise; therefore the bowels often get constipated, and if this is neglected troublesome diarrhœa may occur. After the temperature is normal and remains so for a few days, and the dog does not feed well, then some tonic is useful, as the following:—

_Recipe: The Pills_:

Salicylate of Quinine, 12 grains. Extract of Gentian, 30 ”

Mix, and divide into 24 pills.

_Dose_: From half to two pills[1] to be given three times a day.

Quinine does not suit all dogs, for in some cases, instead of improving the appetite, for which it is given, it has the opposite effect, when the following mixture may be tried instead:—

_Recipe: The Mixture_:

Tincture Nux Vomica, 40 minims. Diluted Nitro-hydrochloric Acid, 1 drachm. Compound Tincture Gentian, 5 drachms. Simple Syrup, 1 ounce. Water to 6 ounces.

_Dose_: From one teaspoonful to a tablespoonful three times a day.[1]

It is not necessary to take notice of a relaxed condition of the bowels so long as the motions are not very frequent, but diarrhœa (frequent watery motions) must not be allowed to go on. As a rule, a small dose of castor oil—say from one teaspoonful[1] to a tablespoonful—will usually stop it by removing the cause. If it continues after the oil has acted, give, shaken dry on the tongue, from 3[1] to 15 grains of salicylate of bismuth three or four times, or oftener, a day. Thicken the food with cooked arrowroot, and give boiled rice with soup and meat if the latter is being given.

If bismuth does not stop the diarrhœa, try the pills as per prescription below:—

_Recipe: The Pills for Diarrhœa_:

Powdered Extract of Kino, 1 drachm. Powdered Ipecacuanha, 8 grains. Powdered Opium, 6 ”

Mix, and divide into 12 pills.

_Dose_: From half to two pills to be given three or four times a day.[1]

In complications affecting the lungs, as soon as they are noticed the chest should be sewn up in gamgee wool covered over with flannel. I have no faith in ordinary liniments; and poultices, unless they are applied by a professional hand, often do more harm than good. In very acute cases the hair may be closely cut off over a small patch on each side of the chest, and strong liniment of iodine applied with a camel’s-hair brush. This may be repeated in four hours, and again four hours later, if the application has not made the skin inflamed and swollen. Of course, the size of the patch must vary according to the size of the dog—from a five-shilling piece to the palm of the hand.

No very special medicine is required unless the heart is affected, which is often the case, when the following mixture is useful:—

_Recipe: The Mixture_:

Tincture Digitalis, 1 drachm. Tincture Nux Vomica, 1 drachm. Concentrated Solution of Acetate of Ammonia, 2 drachms. Water to 6 ounces.

From one[1] to four teaspoonfuls to be given every four or six hours, according to the severity of the symptoms. If the fever is very high, from two[1] to ten grains of bicarbonate of potash may be added to each dose. Some brandy may also be given with advantage, from ten[1] drops to a dessertspoonful every two or three hours, given as previously recommended.

When the nervous system becomes affected during distemper, or just afterwards, it is always a serious matter; in fact, when the brain is attacked and fits are the result, the case is practically hopeless, and if the fits are very severe and frequent it is better to destroy the dog at once, rather than waste time and money in continuing the treatment. When the disease attacks the spinal cord, St. Vitus’s dance (chorea) generally follows. This is also practically an incurable disease, and in severe cases it is best to put the dog out of its misery, for if it lives it will always be a hopeless cripple. Slight cases improve with time and judicious treatment, but the twitching never entirely disappears, though the dog may recover sufficiently to be shown, and also to be bred from. The disease is not hereditary, though I have sometimes thought that puppies of parents suffering from chorea are more disposed to the disease than others. Again, as the result of distemper, the patient may become paralysed to a more or less extent in different parts of the body or limbs—generally the back legs, though occasionally the fore ones are affected, and sometimes all four legs become useless. I have seen some cases when only the tail has been affected, the dog not being able to move it in the least. In other instances the eyes are the seat of the mischief, and amaurosis is the result. Unfortunately, treatment is quite useless in this latter case; in fact, I never saw a dog recover. The blindness may not be complete at first, but this paralysis of the eyes is a progressive disease which no treatment seems able to stop. I may here mention in amaurosis that the eye remains clear and bright, and to the casual observer there is nothing to be seen except a widely dilated blue pupil, which ordinary light does not cause to contract, though exposure to the strong rays of the sun will do so _slowly_. If the owner of a patient thus affected is anxious to try some treatment, then I suggest the following:—

_Recipe: The Lotion_:

Sulphate of Eserine, 1 grain. Distilled Water to 1 ounce.

One drop to be placed into each eye three times a day.

For medicine, give nux vomica as the following:—

_Recipe: The Mixture_:

Tincture Nux Vomica, 1 drachm. Water to 6 ounces.

_Doses_: From one[1] teaspoonful to a tablespoonful three times a day after food.

Later, the following mixture may be tried:—

_Recipe: The Mixture_:

Iodide of Potassium, 36 grains. Water to 6 ounces.

_Doses_: From one[1] teaspoonful to a tablespoonful three times a day.

A seton may also be placed in the back of the neck just behind the ears, and galvanism may also be tried.

As to the treatment of distemper fits, if they are noticed at the commencement, before they have become severe, something may be done. Large and frequent doses of bromide of strontia should be administered, from 3 to 15 grains,[1] in from a teaspoonful[1] to a tablespoonful of water every three or four hours at first, or so long as there are any fits; when they cease, give the medicine less often—say, every six hours, or four times a day. After a few days, three times a day will be often enough for the medicine, and later twice a day. If there is no diarrhœa, give aperient medicine, and feed on a very light and sloppy food, as bread, with soup or milk, Benger’s food, egg and milk, etc. Keep the dog absolutely quiet, and in the dark as much as possible.

When the bromide in large doses is continued for some time, one often notices weakness or partial paralysis of the limbs; this passes off when the medicine is discontinued.

As to the treatment of chorea, I know of no specific; in fact, medicine has little or no effect over this disease at all. Strong doses of medicine like nux vomica or Easton’s syrup do more harm than good during the early stages, whereas later small doses of these drugs are beneficial. Directly the twitching is noticed the bromide of strontia should be given, from two[1] to ten grains three times a day. In the course of a week, if the twitching does not increase, some arsenic may be added to the bromide, as from one[1] to five drops of Fowler’s solution to each dose. Later, in about a month or so, when all inflammatory symptoms have passed, the eyes clear, and the temperature has been normal for some time, some nerve tonic is useful, but it must be given with caution, or the twitching will increase. Easton’s syrup is as good as anything—for very small dogs like Japanese spaniels five drops three times a day in a teaspoonful of water is enough; after a week, six drops may be given; and a week later, seven drops for a dose. The dose for toy spaniels weighing about eight pounds is eight drops; full-sized fox terriers, ten drops; collies, etc., fifteen drops; St. Bernards, etc., twenty drops. In each case the dose may be gradually increased. If the dog is in very poor condition, petroleum emulsion may be given with the Easton’s syrup instead of water. In any case, it is a matter of months before any improvement is noticed. In ordinary paralysis as the result of the distemper, when there is an absence of twitching, bromide in any form does more harm than good. In these cases some preparation of nux vomica is required, and the following pills I have found useful:—

_Recipe: Compound Nux Vomica Pills_:

Powdered Nux Vomica, 2 to 8 grains.[1] Ergotine, 5 to 18 grains. Reduced Iron, 12 to 60 grains.

Ex. cip. _q.s._ Mix.

Divide into twelve pills, one to be given three times a day.

If there is no improvement after a short time, a blister applied to both sides of the neck in cases of paralysis of the forelegs is often useful, and in chronic cases of paralysis of the back legs a blister should be applied to the loins. The blister may be repeated in a fortnight, if necessary.

Galvanism is also useful in cases when of long standing.

The bowels should be kept open with mild aperients, and vermifuge medicine given if there are any signs of worms. Dogs suffering from paralysis, the result of distemper, generally recover with time and care.

=Docking=:

Puppies should be docked when three or four days old, and the operation should be done with a pair of sharp scissors. The skin should be drawn well forward before severing the tail, then afterwards it slips back and well overlaps the bone. There is, as a rule, little or no bleeding; at any rate, not sufficient to be of any importance. Should there be, it can easily be stopped by the application of a little tincture of perchloride of iron, or of Friar’s balsam. It is well after docking a puppy to keep the mother away for half an hour or so.

Different breeds of dogs have their tails docked at different lengths. The fox terrier should have three-fifths of his tail left. Irish and Airedale terriers rather less than half. Spaniels, about two-fifths of the tail should be left, and griffons about a third.

=Doses=:

In consequence of the difference in the sizes of dogs, it is always difficult when giving a general prescription suitable for dogs of all breeds to make the doses quite clear for dogs of different sizes. However, to make it as clear as possible, I have divided dogs into eight different sizes, as for instance, griffons and others, 4 or 5 pounds weight. I call No. 1 size, spaniels, pugs, etc., weighing 10 or 12 pounds. No. 2 size, fox terriers, Irish terriers, etc., weighing from 18 to 25 pounds. No. 3 size, bull dogs, field spaniels, etc., weighing about 40 pounds. No. 4 size, collies, retrievers, greyhounds, etc. No. 5 size, bloodhounds, etc., and other dogs weighing about 80 pounds. No. 6 size, great Danes, etc., weighing about 120 pounds. No. 7 size, bigger dogs, like St. Bernards. No. 8 size, mastiffs, etc. Therefore, if the dose advised is from half a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful, it is intended for No. 1 size, half a teaspoonful; No. 2, a teaspoonful; No. 3, a teaspoonful and a half; No. 4, two teaspoonfuls; No. 5, two teaspoonfuls and a half; No. 6, three teaspoonfuls; No. 7, three teaspoonfuls and a half; and No. 8, four teaspoonfuls or a tablespoonful. When pills or powders are prescribed, they are to be divided in the same way.

=Dosing=:

People who are not in the habit of administering medicine to dogs often have a difficulty in giving it. Liquid is best given out of a bottle. The person about to give it should stand on the right hand side of the dog, place the left hand around the muzzle, then slightly raise the head, and place the neck of the bottle inside the cheek, and pour a small quantity of the fluid at a time into the pouch formed by the cheek. If the muzzle is held tightly with the left hand, there is no danger of the dog biting the bottle. If the reader is afraid to use a bottle, the fluid may be given with a spoon, but then a second person is required to hold the dog’s head, and with the finger pull out the side of the cheek so as to form a pouch in which the medicine should be poured. This is by far a better plan than forcing the dog’s mouth open, and pouring the fluid right on his tongue.

To give a pill, stand on the right hand side of the dog’s head, with the left hand placed over the muzzle, forcing the dog’s mouth open by pressing the cheek between the teeth, then he cannot bite you. Slightly raise the head, and drop the pill into the back of the mouth, and then with the forefinger of the right hand just push it into the throat. Close the mouth quickly, and the dog will swallow it.

=Dropsy=:

_Symptoms_: In dropsy, the result of heart or kidney disease, the limbs often become swollen, as well as the abdomen becoming enlarged and pendulous. The fluid may be detected for certain in the abdomen by placing a hand on one side of the stomach, and then gently tapping the other side of the abdomen, and if fluid is present, an undulating motion will be felt like striking a bladder full of water. In dropsy, no matter from what cause, the dog becomes thin about the neck and chest, and the muscles of the limbs waste. As the fluid increases, the size of the abdomen increases; the breathing becomes distressed, and the dog walks with difficulty. In many cases, when relief is not obtained, the dropsy extends to the chest, which of course increases the difficulty of breathing.

Many cases of ascites are due to diseased liver, which may become much enlarged, but the condition of the liver may simply be due to defective circulation.

_Treatment_: Unless the patient is very old, relief may generally be given with the following mixture, continued for some time:—

_Recipe: The Mixture_:

Acetate Potash, 3 drachms. Tr. Digitalis, 1 drachm. Tr. Nux Vomica, ½ drachm. Spirits of Nitre, 2 drachms. Water to 6 ounces.