Part 6

_Doses_: From one teaspoonful to two tablespoonfuls[1] three times a day. Also give three times a day in water, after food, from fifteen drops[1] to two teaspoonfuls of Hollands gin. Once or twice a week a dose of purgative medicine should be given, as from three to fifteen grains[1] of jalapine. When the liver is affected, give from two[1] to eight grains of grey powder once or twice a week, instead of the jalapine. In severe cases of dropsy tapping is necessary, but as a rule, in ascites it only gives temporary relief.

=Dysentery=:

_Symptoms_: Frequent liquid motions, consisting principally of mucus and blood, accompanied by severe straining. The abdomen is very tender, there is often vomiting and great thirst.

_Treatment_: Give at once a dose of castor oil and laudanum, from half to a tablespoonful[1] of oil mixed with from three[1] to fifteen drops of the latter. About six hours afterwards, commence to give carbonate bismuth from five to twenty grains[1] every three or four hours, also two or three times a day give an enema of thick boiled starch (from one[1] to four teaspoonfuls), mixed with from three[1] to twenty drops of laudanum. The enema should be just warm, given very slowly, and the dog should _be kept_ quiet for a short time afterwards, to prevent his ejecting it.

The following mixture may be tried, if the symptoms continue in spite of the bismuth:—

_Recipe_:

Chlorodyne, 2 drachms. Prepared Chalk, 4 drachms. Tr. Catechu, 4 drachms. Sol. Gum Acacia, 4 drachms. Water to 6 ounces.

_Doses_: From one teaspoonful to a tablespoonful[1] every three or four hours.

_Diet_: Feed on milk thickened with arrowroot (boiled), also give white of egg beaten up with water to drink, or barley water; no solid food should be given whilst there are any signs of blood with motions.

=Dyspepsia=:

_Symptoms_: Distention and discomfort after food, which is not eaten with usual relish. Action of bowels variable, sometimes constipated, at other times loose; occasionally vomiting after food. Tongue, instead of being of a nice pink colour, is brick-red. Dog drinks more than usual. There is loss of spirits and condition, and a disinclination to exercise.

_Treatment_: First give a purge as from 2 to 10 grains[1] of jalapine. Repeat dose in a week; also give following mixture:—

_Recipe_:

Bicarbonate of Soda, 2 drachms. Tr. Rhubarb, 3 ” Tr. Gentian, 4 ” Tr. Nux Vomica, 1 drachm. Liquor Bismuth, 1 ounce. Water to 6 ounces.

_Doses_: One teaspoonful to one tablespoonful[1] three time a day half an hour before food. After food give from one to 5 grains[1] of ingluvin after each meal.

Dogs suffering from dyspepsia should be treated for worms.

_Diet_: In bad cases, for a few days give milk with Benger’s food, also milk mixed with equal parts Vichy water to drink; later feed entirely on lean raw meat for a time, given three times a day; if it is refused quite raw, try it lightly grilled. Well-boiled tripe, or sheep’s brains boiled in milk, may also be offered.

=Dysuria=:

_Symptoms_: Frequent passing of water, which is generally of a clear water colour, the dog at times passing it unconsciously whilst standing. In some cases the urine may be cloudy or even tinged with blood, when there is a stone in the bladder or kidney.

_Treatment_: When due to simple irritation of the kidneys or bladder, and there is an absence of stone, small doses of opium should be given, from an eighth to a grain[1] three times a day. When the symptoms are the result of calculus, the cause must be removed by operation. In dysuria the supply of water should be limited, or barley water or skimmed milk given instead of plain water.

=Ear-ache=:

_Symptoms_: Shaking of the head, which is often held on one side; pain on pressure. There is generally an absence of discharge as in canker of the ear.

_Treatment_: Steaming the ear with hot poppy-head tea gives relief, or a few drops of laudanum may be poured into the ear. The application of a hot salt bag is relieving.

=Ear Canker=:

_Symptoms_: Dogs of all kinds, especially those with long ears, are subject to this disease. The dog shakes and scratches his ear; the parts are inflamed; he often holds the head on one side, and in most cases there is a thick brownish discharge. In many cases it assumes the form of eczema, and dogs subject to this disease more often have attacks in the spring and autumn than at any other time.

_Treatment_: The following lotion should be applied two or three times a day with a camel’s-hair brush to all the red parts, and also down into the ear as far as it will go. After a day or two the ear should be cleaned out with some medicated wool twisted around the point of a bodkin or anything of that kind.

_Recipe_:

Oxide of Zinc Ointment, 2 drachms. Almond Oil, 1 ounce.

Well mix.

In addition to using the lotion, give the dog some cooling medicine, as from 3 grains[1] to one scruple of sulphate of magnesia, and half the quantity of bicarbonate of potash, twice a day with the food. The lotion and medicine should be continued as long as the dog shows any irritation of the ear.

In neglected cases of canker, ulcers form low down in the ear, causing a mattery, offensive discharge. In these cases different treatment is required. The ear should be syringed night and morning with a tablespoonful of methylated spirits added to half a tumbler of tepid water, and then after letting the dog shake his head, the ear should be thoroughly dried with some medicated wool twisted around a bodkin, and then be filled with some finely powdered boracic acid. This is best done by the means of a quill attached to an indiarubber tube, the quill being filled up by being dipped into the powder, and then inserted into the ear, and deposited there by means of blowing through the tube.

Some of these cases are difficult to cure, but with perseverance they get all right in time.

There is another form of canker due to an insect, which I call psoroptes auricularis canis. This is a very minute insect, which collects in large numbers in the canal of the ear, causing the dog to shake his head frequently, and scratch the ear. The canal of the ear looks as if it were full of dry grey powder, but if looked at carefully it will be noticed to be full of very small insects, the size of tiny cheese mites, and they will be seen running about as they are very active. This form of canker is contagious.

_Treatment_: Syringe the ear thoroughly with a teaspoonful of Pearson’s fluid added to six ounces of tepid water, then carefully dry, and anoint with the following ointment.

The syringing should be repeated about twice a week, and the ointment applied night and morning for a time.

_Recipe: The Ointment_:

Salicylic Acid, 10 grains. Vaseline, 1½ drachms.

Carefully mix. Apply with camel’s-hair brush.

As it is very difficult to destroy the eggs of these parasites, it is advisable, even after the irritation has ceased, to continue the ointment two or three times a week for some time, so as to destroy the parasites as they hatch.

=Ear, Cyst in the Flap of=:

_Symptoms_: Dogs with long ears are more subject to this complaint than others. It is generally caused by a bruise of some kind. A swelling forms on the inside of the flap of the ear, often extending all over the surface. It is very painful, and the dog will hold the head on one side, and cry out when touched.

_Treatment_: Often, if attended to immediately after it occurs, the swelling may be dispersed by hot poppy-head fomentations, made by boiling a couple of crushed poppy-heads in a quart of water for ten minutes, and then straining. If the swelling does not disappear in a couple of days, it should be freely opened on the inside at the lowest part—that is towards the point of the flap. The wound must be kept open by being plugged by a piece of lint, or inserting a small tube, which should be fixed in with a stitch. The wound must be kept open for some days, or else the fluid will collect again.

It is advisable in these cases to make the dog wear a cap as depicted in the illustration, and if the inside of the ear sweats at all, dust it freely with powdered boracic acid three or four times a day.

=Ear, Growths in=:

_Symptoms_: Cartilaginous growths occasionally form in the canal of the ear, quite blocking up the passage. They cause great pain. The dog holds his head on one side, and is constantly scratching his ear, and crying.

_Treatment_: The only treatment is to remove the growths by operation, which should be done as follows: Chloroform having been given, the growth should be cut out as low down as possible with the points of probe-pointed scissors. Then the roots should be thoroughly scraped with a curette, and afterwards thoroughly cauterised with the thermocautery. The dog suffers a good deal of pain for some days after the operation, but it may be relieved by pouring a few drops of the following lotion, which should be slightly warmed, into the ear three or four times a day.

_Recipe: The Lotion_:

Laudanum, 1 drachm. Carbolic Acid, 20 drops. Almond Oil, 1 ounce.

Carefully mix.

=Ear, Polypus in=:

_Symptoms_: This is a small pear-shaped growth with the pedunculated root attached in the canal of the ear.

_Treatment_: This growth is best removed by torsion, as follows: Seize the growth with a pair of forceps, and twist it round and until it comes off. No further treatment is required, except keeping the ear clean for a few days with some boracic acid lotion.

=Ear-Flap, Scurfiness of=:

_Symptoms_: Very often dogs, especially those kept in kennels, suffer from a very scaly or scurfy condition of the edges of the flaps of the ears, which causes the hair to fall off, and the dog to shake his head frequently.

_Treatment_: Apply a little of the following dressing to the parts once or twice a day. This will remove the scurfiness, and stimulate the growth of the hair. Once a week wash the ears thoroughly with Cook’s 3% mercurial soap.

_Recipe: The Dressing_:

Resorcin, 1 scruple. Cyllin, 15 minims. Almond Oil, 1 ounce.

Mix.

=Ecthyma=:

_Symptoms_: A skin disease, characterised by the formation of a number of small pustules, which the dog generally breaks by licking or scratching, and a running sore is produced.

_Treatment_: The part should be cleaned with a weak solution of Pearson’s disinfectant fluid, or with a teaspoonful boracic acid in half a pint of water, then gently dried with a soft cloth, and the following lotion applied and repeated often:—

_Recipe_:

Prepared Chalk, 2 ounces. Wright’s Solution Coal Tar, ½ ounce. Lime Water to 8 ounces.

Well shake before using.

Treat dog for worms, and give following pills:—

_Recipe_:

Arsenious Acid, ½ grain. Reduced Iron, 40 grains. Sulphate Quinine, 12 grains. Extract Gentian, _q.s._

Mix.

Divide into 12, 24, 36, or 48 pills.[1] One to be given twice a day, after food.

Dog suffering from Ecthyma should be given some meat every day mixed with other food.

=Eczema=:

A non-contagious skin disease.

_Symptoms_: Skin irritable; dog frequently scratching, also licking and biting himself. Clusters of fine vesicles appear at different parts; the skin afterwards becomes dry and scaly, unless the dog by constantly licking himself makes the parts sore and raw. Parts principally attacked around eyes, the lips, outside and inside of ears, along top of back, root of tail; but any part may become affected.

_Treatment_: Bathe affected parts often with following lotion:—

_Recipe_:

Wright’s Solution Coal Tar, 1 ounce. Goulard’s Extract of Lead, 1 drachm. Glycerine Boracis, 1 ounce. Distilled or Rain Water to 8 ounces.

Mix.

Or, apply following ointment twice a day:—

_Recipe_:

Resorcin, 1 scruple. Cieolin, 20 minims. Almond Oil, 1 drachm. Lanoline, 1 ounce.

Mix.

Apply night and morning.

When skin very sore and raw, dust the affected places often with following powder:—

Best Powdered Starch, 4 parts. Boracic Acid Powder, 1 part.

Mix.

When the eczema is general—that is, more or less all over the dog—give every four days a bath in Pearson’s disinfectant fluid diluted eighty times with tepid water; that is, four tablespoonfuls to a gallon of water.

Internal Remedies.—Treat for worms, and give the following powders:—

Reduced Iron, 6 grains to 36 grains.[1] Sulphate Magnesia, ½ drachm to ½ ounce.

Mix.

Divide into 12 powders—one to be given twice a day with food.

When the dog is in poor condition, or when the skin is very dry and scurfy, try the following pills after the powders have been given for a time:—

_Recipe_:

Arsenious Acid ⅛ grain to ½ grain.[1] Reduced Iron, 6 grains to 36 grains. Ext. Gentian, _q.s._

Mix.

Make 12 pills—one to be given twice a day.

=Elbow, Capped=:

_Symptoms_: The point of the elbow is hard, swollen, and tender, causing the dog to go lame, or at any rate rather stiff. It is generally the result of an injury.

_Treatment_: At first try hot fomentations, which continue three or four times daily for some days; then apply the following lotion, dabbed on frequently:—

_Recipe_:

Goulard’s Extract of Lead, 1 drachm. Laudanum, 1 ” Spirits of Wine, 4 drachms. Water to 8 ounces.

Later, if the swelling continues, rub gently into the swollen part a little colourless tincture of iodine or iodine vasogen once a day. It is essential in these cases to keep a good soft bed under the dog.

=Emaciation=:

_Symptoms_: Loss of condition and spirits, paleness of the mouth and conjunctivæ membrane.

_Treatment_: First give medicine to remove worms; also cod-liver oil, from half a teaspoonful[1] to a tablespoonful two or three times a day after food, and from one to eight grains[1] saccharated iron two or three times a day.

_Diet_: Feed liberally, allowing plenty of meat, mixed with Spratt’s malt and cod-liver oil biscuits; also give plenty of milk to drink.

=Emetics=:

The most effectual one is hydrochlorate of apomorphia; dose, from one-twentieth to one-sixth of a grain[1] in a teaspoonful of water. When given injected under the skin, it acts almost instantaneously.

Tartar emetic, from a quarter[1] to one and a half grains, shaken dry on the back of the tongue. If vomiting should not be induced in about ten minutes, a few spoonfuls of warm water should be given.

Ipecacuanha wine, from half a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful[1]; repeated in ten minutes if vomiting not induced, and again ten minutes later if necessary.

In cases of emergency, common salt may be given, from sufficient to cover a sixpence to a teaspoonful[1] in warm water.

=Emissions=:

This nuisance is, as a rule, more troublesome amongst puppies than adult dogs, for generally after they are a year old the bad habit ceases.

_Treatment_: A course of bromide is sometimes useful, but if the habit continues after the dog is two years old castration is the only thing that is of any use. This operation, which can be done under chloroform, does not alter a dog’s nature as much as many people think, and when he is only required as a pet there is nothing to be said against it.

=Emphysema=:

_Symptoms_: The whole body may swell through a small puncture in the skin, which often cannot be found when a clog’s coat is thick. The emphysema may be confined to the body or to the head, or even to one or more limbs. In bad cases the dog swells out of all recognition. He is unable to move, or does so with great difficulty; and when the head is affected, the eyes are closed, the ears perhaps an inch thick, and breathing is difficult. The swelling is soft, pits on pressure, and at the same time a crackling noise is made.

When affecting the lungs, the breathing is heavy and laboured, and on auscultating the chest a distinct loud, crackling noise is heard. The heart is generally affected, its action, as a rule, being very weak; and there is a chronic, husky cough.

_Treatment_: In cases of general emphysema, if the swelling is not large it may be left alone, for it will gradually disperse of its own accord; but when it is large, the original wound, if it can be found, should be dilated, or one or more fresh ones made, and the air which has accumulated under the skin pressed out. The wound should afterwards be cleaned with a solution of some disinfectant like Pearson’s fluid or boracic acid, dried, then covered over with some antiseptic gauze, and a bandage or coat applied. Stimulants, as brandy, should be administered.

Treatment of emphysema of the lung is not very satisfactory, especially when the patient is very old, which is generally the case; but some relief may often be given by careful dieting. No food to distend the stomach should be allowed, as pressure on the chest from a distended stomach always increases the difficulty in breathing, therefore a concentrated food like meat should be given, and it is best raw. It should be given in small quantities three times a day.

Sedative medicine, unless the cough is very troublesome, is best avoided, but some such mixture as the following may be tried:—

_Recipe_:

Tr. Digitalis, 1 drachm. Tr. Nux Vomica, 1 drachm. Ipecacuanha Wine, 2 drachms. Water to 6 ounces.

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

Inhalation of steam gives relief.

The bowels should be kept well opened by occasional doses of aperient medicine.

=Enema=:

Enemas are necessary in cases of stoppage of the bowels; they are also very useful to relieve constipation; and for dogs that are very ill it is much better to give a small enema rather than a dose of purgative medicine, which often causes sickness, which one particularly wants to avoid when the patient is weak.

Just to cause an action of the bowels in cases of constipation, only a small enema is required as, say for a little dog like a griffon, half a teaspoonful of glycerine mixed with a couple of tablespoonfuls of warm water. For dogs the size of fox terriers double the quantity may be given. For collies, etc., four times the quantity; and for dogs like a St Bernard half as much again of both the glycerine and water. Instead of glycerine, soapy water may be used.

In cases of real obstruction of the bowels, give double the quantities as advised in cases of simple constipation, and the enema should be repeated in these cases three or four times a day. Very often in cases of obstruction of the bowels, it is a very good plan to give an occasional enema consisting of warm oil, or even from five grains to half a drachm[1] of ox gall dissolved in hot water.

For little dogs a glass ear-syringe may be used which can be bought to hold half an ounce or an ounce. For bigger dogs one of Higson’s enema syringes are the best. The bone point, before inserting into the bowel, should be well vaselined, and then it can be safely passed into the rectum its whole length, which is about two inches. Care should be taken when giving enema not to pump a lot of air into the bowel.

Another way of relieving constipation, when one wishes to avoid giving medicine by the mouth, is to pass a suppository made of glycerine and gelatine into the rectum. These have their advantage over enema, as they do not wet the dog when the bowels operate, which is important in cases of paralysis when dogs cannot stand whilst passing a motion. Failing a glycerine suppository, a piece of yellow soap cut the shape of one answers the purpose.

=Enteritis (Inflammation of the Bowels)=:

_Symptoms_: Attack often commences with vomiting. There is generally slight rise of temperature and a quickened pulse, pain on pressure of abdomen; there may be constipation or diarrhœa, but in any case mucus is generally passed with the motion. The dog seems ill, lies about, and is disinclined to move. There is loss of appetite, and the thirst is generally excessive.

Chronic enteritis is a more common complaint; there is no temperature as a rule, and the pulse is quiet, though it generally becomes very weak as the disease advances. The appetite is not entirely gone, but is very bad, and what is taken is often vomited, mixed with a quantity of frothy mucus. When the food eaten is solid, and it is not vomited, then it generally passes through the patient in an undigested state with some mucus. The motions are copious and frequent, sometimes there is diarrhœa, at other times the motions are formed and hard. There is pain on pressure of the abdomen, and the coils of intestines may easily be felt as the coats of the bowels are generally much thickened—the result of the chronic inflammation. The patient becomes very anæmic and wasted, the breath is foul, ulcers may form in the mouth, and the tongue is of a rusty red colour.

_Treatment_: In the acute form a small dose of castor oil mixed with from two to fifteen drops of laudanum,[1] and repeated in two or three days if necessary. If there is diarrhœa, give from three[1] to fifteen grains of carbonate of bismuth three or four times a day; also from two to ten drops of chlorodyne[1] in water three or four times a day; when there is much pain hot linseed meal poultices may be applied to the abdomen. The diet should consist principally of milk—plain or with Benger’s food—a little meat juice may be added. Later, scraped lean raw meat may be given.

The treatment of chronic cases is tedious, a cure is often difficult, and under the best circumstances it takes many weeks of careful dieting before improvement occurs.

The following powders to be given with or after food:—

_Recipe_:

Ingluvin, 1 drachm. Carbonate Bismuth, 2 drachms. Powdered Nux Vomica, 6 grains.

Mix.

Divide into 12, 24, or 48 powders[1]—one to be given three times a day.