DOGS. 715 



DISEASES OF DOGS. 



Care Of Sick Dogs. Sick dogs, nice sick people, should have kind and considerate 

 care. They should be kept warm, quiet, away from all noise and harsh words, and 

 their kennels kept clean and well ventilated. Dr. A. J. Sewell, member of the Royal 

 College of Veterinary Surgeons, gives the subjoined directions for nursing sick dogs: The suc 

 cessful treatment of our canine friends in severe cases of illness is one of those subjects which are 

 too often neglected. And yet, if dog owners truly value the lives of their dumb companions, 

 every possible care should be taken of them. The diseases which affect the dog are numer 

 ous, and it is not only in cases of dangerous and severe diseases that treatment is necessary, 

 but also in cases of skin diseases. In these complaints much depends on the daily food sup 

 plied to affected animals, if we are to insure a successful and speedy termination of the affec 

 tion. However scientific and proper the doctoring may be, if it is not aided by good and 

 careful nursing, the veterinary surgeon s skill is all lost. 



A person requires a large amount of patience to be a good nurse, for a harsh word to a 

 dog badly affected with distemper will sometimes induce fits, and these, once established, 

 more often than not prove fatal. It is my purpose to draw attention to the general manage 

 ment of sick dogs, and then direct special attention to the nursing of dogs affected with 

 specific diseases, such as distemper, jaundice, etc. 



I have been frequently requested to visit dogs affected with distemper, and on arrival, 

 have found the patient chained to a kennel containing no straw or other litter, and in a yard 

 paved with stones. &quot;With such treatment, dogs are often the subject of inflammation of the 

 lungs, the result of exposure, besides being affected with distemper. When a dog is noticed 

 to be ill, it should (if with other dogs) be removed to a room or kennel-house where it will 

 be alone. He may not only affect others, but they will annoy and tease him, and so inter 

 fere with the patient making progress. The hospital should be warm (not hot) and well 

 ventilated, free from all draughts, and the thermometer be kept as near as possible at 55 

 Fahrenheit. A basket or box should be supplied for the clog to lie in. The bottom should 

 be covered with straw or hay the former is best, as dogs lying on hay for any length of 

 time, as a rule, become infested with fleas. Besides, as straw is cheaper, it may be changed 

 daily, which is essential, as it adds to the comfort and cleanliness of the patient. 



A large dish or pot of cold water should be placed within easy reach of the dog, and 

 ought to be changed twice a day to insure its being fresh and cold. There are some cases 

 where cold water is injurious, but these are rare. All evacuations from the patient should 

 be immediately removed, and a little disinfectant fluid sprinkled about. The sick dog should 

 be kept quiet, and by no means exercised. I have often witnessed a fatal relapse in distem 

 per, the result of a few minutes exercise. I have known persons when a dog has had a 

 prolonged attack of illness, and become rather offensive put him in a bath, and wash. On 

 no account should this be done, as it is most dangerous, more especially in the case of long- 

 coated dogs, as these are very difficult to dry thoroughly. If left at all damp, the animals 

 are liable to become chilled, and the disease is aggravated. 



A dog, when very ill say from distemper should not even be brushed or groomed, as 

 it excites and disturbs him, and increases the weakness, which is always great in this disease. 



Administering Medicine to BogS. To have their proper and desired effects, med 

 icines should be given regularly, and at stated times, and not as some persons do, to give a 

 double dose because they forgot one. I have known this to be done repeatedly, and wish to 

 warn owners of its fatal consequences. The medicine should be given quietly, and without 

 disturbing the dog, if possible. One person, as a rule, is sufficient to give it if a little tact is 



