Part 8

_Treatment_: Except in cases of fracture of the lower extremity, these cases are difficult to treat, in consequence of the shape of the leg, for one thing; and for another, the limb is so close to the body that a bandage cannot with advantage be put round. Under these circumstances, it is always best in cases of broken thigh, except when it occurs at the lowest extremity—that is, just above the stifle joint—to leave it to Nature, who, as a rule, makes a very good cure, except that the leg as a result may be a little shorter than its fellow. The muscles around the bone are so thick and strong that they take the place of bandages, and keep the bone in its place; whereas when a bandage is applied, it does harm, and as a consequence the bone seldom unites. At the lower extremity it is different; the muscles here are not so thick, and the application of a splint and bandage supports the broken bone. The best form of splint is one similar to the kind recommended for fracture of the tibia, but made to extend nearly to the top of the thigh. To fix this splint in its place, an ordinary bandage should be applied nearly up to the stifle joint, and then above this the splint is to be kept in its place by means of strips of Mead’s plaister, as a simple bandage cannot be kept on the thigh in consequence of its shape and position.

Fracture of the head of the femur occurs sometimes, especially in puppies, which is often mistaken for dislocation of the hip joint, of which I have never seen a case. The part that is really broken is the neck of the ball of the head of the femur, which fits in the cup of the pelvis that goes to form the hip joint. In these cases great pain is caused by pulling the leg back or abducting it, and distinct crepitation may be felt and heard when moving the limb. If there is any doubt about the case, the exact condition of the parts can always be plainly seen with the assistance of the X-rays.

After fracture of the neck of the head of the thigh bone, the top of it—namely, the trochanter—sticks up higher than it did before, and this will be particularly noticed if the injured joint is compared with the corresponding one on the other side.

Treatment is useless in these cases, for the broken bone will never unite again; but in time a false joint is formed, and though the limb will for ever afterwards be shorter than its fellow, yet after a time it becomes a very useful member, and the dog scarcely walks lame at all, except perhaps after some unusual exertion, but the muscles never develop to the same extent on the injured side as they do on the sound one.

In treating small dogs with fracture of the legs, it is very important that the bandages should be as thin and light as possible. In these cases have bandages made of thin muslin or butter cloth about one and a half inches wide and four yards long, which soak in a thick solution of gum acacia. This is put straight on the broken leg after it has been set straight. A good many layers may be put on, and over this four thin _unpadded_ splints are adapted, and then a few layers of ordinary bandage to keep the splints in their place, and they with the outside bandage may be removed in a couple of days, by which time the gum has dried and set firmly.

_Pelvis, Fracture of_: Different parts of the pelvis become fractured as the result of accident, generally from a dog being run over.

_Symptoms_: The dog goes very lame, in many cases with straddled legs, and often for a time may not be able to walk at all. There is a good deal of pain on manipulation and swelling of the fractured parts.

_Treatment_: The dog for a month or so must be kept very quiet, and a jacket placed on the hinder parts assists in keeping them together.

In all cases of fracture, it is most important that the dog be kept absolutely quiet for the first three weeks; if the dog must go out for certain purposes, then he should be carried to a garden and back again. If this is not attended to, the broken bone will not unite, and as a consequence there is what is called a false joint formed—that is, a soft union between the two broken ends of the bone—and as a result the dog is never able to bear weight on the limb, and it is never straight.

In cases of comminutive fracture, the same treatment is required as for simple fracture, but more time must be given for union to take place.

_Compound Fracture_ is more difficult to treat as the limb cannot be set up permanently, as it is necessary to dress the wound daily, or at any rate every other day for a time, and this disturbs the leg and interferes with the mending of the bone. Before setting the limb in these cases, the wound must be thoroughly cleaned with some antiseptic solution as Pearson’s fluid, one in eighty parts of tepid water, or a solution of chinosol, one grain to the ounce of water. All pieces of exposed loose bone must be removed, and pieces of bone sticking through the wound that cannot be put back must be sawn, or nipped off with bone forceps. Then the limb, after being put in a natural straight position, should be enveloped in several layers of some antiseptic gauze, before applying the padded splints in the usual way. It is advisable, if possible, not to place a splint over the wound, then by cutting a hole through the bandages so as to expose the wound in the skin, which can be done when it is small, it can be daily dressed without removing the whole of the bandages every day, though it is necessary to do so once a week, as the dressing becomes soiled with the discharge. The hole made in the bandages must be kept packed with disinfectant gauze, as iodoform or carbolic gauze, and be changed daily.

_Fracture of Bones of the Tail_ are best treated by setting up the tail with strips of Mead’s adhesive plaister. Many layers must be applied so as to keep the parts at rest. Adhesive plaister is advised, as it is almost impossible to keep a bandage on the tail unless pitch or some other such material is used, and this makes the dressing so heavy and uncomfortable for the patient.

_Green Stick Fracture_: That is when a bone is broken, and the parts are not displaced.

_Symptoms_: These cases are sometimes difficult to diagnose, however, the parts are swollen and painful, and the dog is unable to put the foot to the ground. With the aid of the X-rays the fracture is easily discernible. The bone which I find by experience most liable to this form of fracture is the radius or fore arm.

_Treatment_: The same as for cases of simple fracture, and it soon unites, and the leg becomes strong again.

_Broken Back_, which occurs sometimes as the result of a dog being run over, the part that generally breaks is across the loins—lumbar vertebræ—well forward close to the dorsal vertebræ.

_Symptoms_: Acute pain at the part, some swelling of the soft tissues covering the injured vertebræ, and loss of power and feeling of the parts behind the injury.

_Treatment_: Useless; it is much the best to have the dog at once put out of his misery.

_Fracture of the Cervical Vertebræ or Bones of the Neck_ may occur from a dog being run over across the neck. Death, as a rule, quickly occurs. There is nothing to be done.

_Fracture of Ribs_: This is not an uncommon occurrence.

_Symptoms_: Pain at the seat of injury, and some local swelling. The fractured rib can easily be felt, and there is some crepitation when manipulated. The broken ends of the rib are inclined to turn inwards.

_Treatment_: Place a fairly wide linen bandage, or, what is better still, some wide strips of Mead’s adhesive plaister, round the chest. Union, as a rule, of the broken rib soon takes place.

_Fracture of the Bones of the Skull_, especially those of the forehead, occasionally occur.

_Symptoms_: The broken bone will be generally found depressed; the part is very painful, and swelling soon occurs. This injury is often accompanied by a good deal of acute congestion of the brain, the result of concussion, and as a result the dog often becomes unconscious soon after the accident. This may continue for days, or until the pressure, the result of the fractured bone on the brain, is relieved by operation. The dog, of course, during the unconscious condition is quite paralysed in all four limbs. After the pressure is removed, the dog soon regains consciousness, and strength to the limbs gradually returns.

_Treatment_: In these cases it is important to keep the dog absolutely quiet; to feed on liquid food, carefully given with a spoon or bottle, in small quantities often. When the patient is very restless, an ice-bag may be applied to the forehead, and small doses of bromide of potassium given every four hours mixed with the food. When the fractured bone is depressed, and is pressing on the brain, the sooner this is relieved by operation the better. Of course, for some time afterwards the dog must be kept very quiet.

_Fracture of the Upper Jaw_: This occasionally occurs as the result of a blow, as the kick of a horse; also from being run over.

_Treatment_: A bandage cannot be easily applied here to any advantage. If the mucus membrane has been torn, and the bone exposed, all loose pieces must be removed, also broken and loose teeth; and the mouth should be thoroughly washed out three or four times a day with a teaspoonful of borax to half a pint of water, and the dog fed on sloppy food for a time.

These cases, as a rule, do very well.

_Fracture of Lower Jaw_: This is not an uncommon occurrence, as the result of the same causes as fracture of the upper jaw.

_Treatment_: The removing of loose bone and teeth is to be carried out the same as recommended in cases of broken upper jaw; but here a splint can be applied, and is necessary, as there is not the same natural support as there is in the upper jaw. Of course, there is some difficulty in applying a splint and bandage in these cases to dogs with a very short face, especially when the patient is very small—as, for instance, a griffon—and moreover, it is not quite so necessary, as there is more natural support in a short jaw than a long one, like a terrier’s or greyhound’s. The splint should be made of perforated zinc, and of the shape as depicted in the illustration, and be applied as well as the bandages, as depicted in the illustration. The bandages must be put on sufficiently tight, so that the dog cannot open the mouth. There are cases when a dog will not tolerate a splint and bandages; in such instances, the broken ends of the bone must be brought firmly together with a strong silver wire suture, and fastened by twisting. The dog’s strength in these cases must be kept up with milk and raw eggs, beaten up together; also milk and Benger’s food or sanatogen, as well as beef tea, as it is necessary that the splint and bandages be kept on for at least three weeks, and even after this nothing but sloppy food must be allowed for a time.

=Gall-stones=:

_Symptoms_: Acute abdominal pain, great tenderness of the abdomen, and if relief is not soon given jaundice follows.

_Treatment_: To relieve the pain, give five[1] drops to a teaspoonful of laudanum in a teaspoonful[1] to two tablespoonfuls of water. If pain continues, the medicine may be repeated in an hour, and again an hour later if necessary. Hot linseed meal poultices should be applied to the abdomen. If jaundice follows, give from three[1] to ten grains of the Homœopathic preparation of Merc: Sol: 3 × every three hours for three or four days. Under the best circumstances treatment can only have but temporary benefit.

=Gangrene=:

_Symptoms_: This may follow improper treatment of a severe wound, also the result of a too tightly bandaged leg in a case of fracture, or as I have seen, from an elastic band being placed on the leg, or in some cases on a dog’s tail. The parts are at first very swollen, painful and red, later skin turns blue or even black. Skin oozing very offensive blood-coloured fluid, later the pain disappears from the part, and it becomes cold and clammy, and turns green; in fact, becomes putrid.

_Treatment_: If from the too tight application of a bandage, or from an indiarubber band, it should at once be removed. Hot linseed meal poultices, dusted over freely with charcoal, applied every four hours, and then the parts should be freely washed with a warm saturated solution of boracic acid; carefully dried and wrapped in carbolic gauze, and a bandage lightly applied. As a rule, there is a good deal of constitutional disturbance in these cases, and it is advisable to give some medicine such as salicine, say from three[1] to fifteen grains every six hours, either in tabloid or cachet, also stimulants as brandy.

=Gastric Ulcer=:

_Symptoms_: Dogs suffering from this disease are occasionally seen bringing up their food, sometimes tinged with blood, which is generally of a bright red colour. The quantity of blood varies. Sometimes there are streaks mixed with vomited matter, or there may be quite a quantity, causing great exhaustion. They also lose condition, become anæmic and languid.

_Treatment_: The principal thing in these cases is diet, which should be light and of an easily digested nature, as milk with the white of egg, or milk thickened with Benger’s food. When the dog is very weak, a little Valentine’s meat juice should be added with each lot, but nothing solid. When the bleeding is severe give ergotine, a half[1] to two grains every two or three hours, in a teaspoonful[1] to a tablespoonful of water; but when it is very slight the styptics are not necessary, but give the dog each time a quarter of an hour before food from two[1] to ten grains of carbonate of bismuth, and immediately after food from one[1] to five grains of ingluvin. It is necessary in these cases to keep the dog absolutely quiet. Do not allow the dog to drink a lot of water; if very thirsty, give Vichy water and milk in equal parts to drink, as plain water increases the vomiting.

=Gastritis (Acute)=:

_Symptoms_: Frequent and violent vomiting, also diarrhœa. The attack is accompanied by great thirst.

_Treatment_: Keep the dog quiet, and prevent his drinking water. If he is very thirsty, give Vichy water and milk to drink in equal parts, or ice to lick. Give every four hours from three[1] to ten grains of carbonate of bismuth shaken dry on the tongue. If this does not stop the sickness, give the mixture as recommended for Specific Gastritis. In some cases the sickness is so acute that if every care is not taken the dog dies from exhaustion. In such instances the dog’s stomach should be given absolute rest, the dog not being allowed to drink even water, or have ice, say for six to twelve hours. To keep the dog’s strength up, give a peptonised beef suppository every three or four hours. If there is any diarrhœa, give an enema of a dessertspoonful to two tablespoonfuls[1] of milk, thickened with starch, with from five[1] to twenty drops of laudanum added, every four or six hours. When the sickness has stopped, food must be given very sparingly by the mouth, and should consist of peptonised milk or milk and Vichy, and just a small quantity of Brand’s, every hour or so. After a couple of days, if the dog is doing well, a little scraped lean raw mutton may be offered.

=Gastritis (Chronic)=:

_Symptoms_: In this complaint the dog occasionally vomits, bringing up his food, is very thirsty, and loses condition. The tongue, instead of being a nice pink colour, is brick-red colour and dry, and occasionally diarrhœa occurs.

_Treatment_: For this a diet of raw meat for a time will put the dog right, a small quantity three times a day; and an hour before each meal give from three[1] to fifteen grains of carbonate of bismuth. In very obstinate case, small doses of arsenic, as from half[1] a drop to two drops of Fowler’s solution, with from two[1] teaspoonfuls to two tablespoonfuls of water, and given before food, does good.

=Gastritis (Specific)=:

_Symptoms_: This is a contagious disease which has been prevalent amongst dogs of late years. It is sometimes called German distemper, and often terminates fatally. The dog generally commences with vomiting, and rise of temperature; the breath becomes very offensive, teeth highly furred; ulcers often form on the tongue, along the edge of gums, and inside the cheeks. There is great wasting. As the disease progresses, the vomiting increases, the dog often bringing up blood or coffee-coloured, offensive fluid; also dysentery is present. Unlike ordinary gastritis, there are generally two or three degrees of fever, but the temperature soon falls below normal, and the pulse from the commencement is rapid, whereas in ordinary gastritis you seldom get any rise in temperature or alteration in the number of the pulse-beats. A very characteristic symptom of this disease is a very congested condition of the eyes.

_Treatment_: The dog must be kept exceptionally quiet, and prevented from drinking any water, as it only irritates the stomach. A liquid diet is absolutely necessary, such as Vichy water and milk in equal parts to drink, milk and white of egg or Benger’s food, and occasionally a little Brand’s beef essence. For medicine, give from one[1] to five drops of cyllin, which is best given in a gelatine capsule, three times a day. If the vomiting is very severe, the following mixture can be given:—

_Recipe_:

Diluted Hydrocyanic Dil., 24 drops. Liq. Bismuth, 3 drachms. Water to 3 ounces.

_Doses_: From a half[1] to two teaspoonfuls every three or four hours.

It is very important to keep the mouth scrupulously clean. For this a lotion of permanganate of potash may be used, five grains to a tumbler of tepid water. If ulcers form, apply sparingly night and morning 5 per cent. solution of bromic acid. There is always a danger of relapse in these cases if a solid diet is permitted too soon. The liquid diet should be continued for at least a week after the dog seems apparently well.

=Glandular Enlargement=:

_Symptoms_: The glands about the throat are subject to swelling from cold; also they may become enlarged when some injury resulting in inflammation has taken place in the neighbourhood of the neck. The lymphatic gland, situated at the lower part of the neck, just in front and to the inside of the shoulder-joint, is much subject to enlargement and the formation of tumour. Another favourite situation for similar enlargements or growths to occur is the lower part of the abdomen (pubes), between the hind legs, just above and on each side of the sheath of the penis. Enlargements of the lymphatic gland, on the inside of the elbow-joint, occur in cases of cancer of the breast.

_Treatment_: When from a cold, as enlargement of the throat glands, use following liniment:—

_Recipe_:

Colourless Tincture of Iodine, 4 drachms. Spirits of Camphor, 1 ounce. Soap Liniment to 3 ounces.

A little to be gently rubbed into the swelling night and morning.

When enlargement of the sympathetic glands, the result of some inflammation going on in the neighbourhood, no special treatment is required, as the condition will cease as the inflammation subsides. The tumefied glands, when situated near the front of shoulder, also under arm or in the pubic region, may be treated with iodine vasogen for a time, but any treatment except an operation is unlikely to be successful.

=Glandular Enlargement (Lymphadenoma)=:

_Symptoms_: This is a serious disease, and often affects all the lymphatic glands of the system, they becoming much swollen and painful. Those glands under the jaw are generally the first to show the disease, and they often increase from a bean (normal size) to a walnut in size. The disease extends to the other glands, as those in front of the shoulders; also those under the arms. Those at each side of the penis, the back of the hind legs, and even the gland situated in the abdomen are affected; in fact, the dog is all lumps and bumps, and is a wretched object.

_Treatment_: Is seldom attended with success; but occasionally large doses of iodide of potassium, from one to ten grains,[1] well diluted with water, seems to retard the progress of the disease for a time. Removing the diseased glands by operation is not of any use.

=Glaucoma=:

_Symptoms_: The white of the eye is very red, and the ball is distended and painful on pressure. The eye loses clearness. Disease usually begins in one eye, but the other often gets affected later.

_Treatment_: Foment frequently with hot poppy-head tea, made by boiling for a few minutes in a quart of water two crushed poppy-heads and then strain through fine muslin. The tea should be applied as hot as the dog can comfortably bear it. Also apply the following drops:—

_Recipe_:

Dionin, 2 grains. Pilocarpine, 1 grain. Sulphate Eserine, ½ grain. Distilled Water to 4 drachms.

Two drops to be placed in the eye three or four times a day.

Glaucoma often requires surgical treatment, as puncturing the eye just where the schlerotic coat joins the cornea. Sometimes it is necessary to remove the eyeball, and this often has the advantage of preventing the other eye becoming affected.

=Gleet=:

_See_ BALANITIS.

=Goitre=:

_Symptoms_: A swelling, varying in size from a pigeon’s to a goose’s egg, situated low down in the neck, due to enlargement of the thyroid gland. Almost always both lobes of the gland are affected, and there is a swelling at both sides of the neck, though one may be slightly larger than the other. As a rule, the condition does not cause much inconvenience unless the glands are very big, or the patient very young—say six weeks of age—when the breathing is often difficult, and death takes place.

_Treatment_: When the patient is not very young, the hair over the swellings should be cut short, and tincture of iodine applied every day for three or four days; then, after waiting a week, the iodine may be repeated if the swellings remain. When the patient is very young, say a few weeks old—and the disease is rather common amongst pointers at this age—the case is best treated with the homœopathic preparation of iodide of potassium 3 x; dose, three grains thrice daily. Afterwards, when the swellings are reduced, give cod-liver oil or malt.

=Gripping=:

_See_ COLIC.

=Gum, Growth on=:

_Symptoms_: A hard, irregular-shaped growth of a red colour, which is somewhat constricted; occasionally grows on the gum, or rather from the periosteum of the jaw-bone. It is called an epulis. It is more common in old than young dogs, and it is difficult to cure. When the growth assumes large proportions, it pushes the teeth quite out of the regular line, and causes them to become loose.

_Treatment_: When possible, the application of a ligature of strong silk tied tightly round the neck of the growth, and as close as possible to the gum, is the best way of removing it. Sometimes this is not practical, as the base is large. In such cases, the growth should be cut off close to the gum, and the roots scraped down to the bone.

=Gumboil=:

_Symptoms_: A painful, swollen gum, generally the result of a bad tooth, or may arise from cold.

_Treatment_: Extract tooth; wash mouth out after with a drachm of chlorate of potash dissolved in a tumblerful of warm water. Give a dose of purgative medicine.

=Gums, Bleeding=:

_Symptoms_: Occasionally the gums will bleed very freely, particularly in old dogs, and often apparently without any reason, and in some cases the bleeding is very difficult to stop.