720 



THE AMERICAN FARMER 



Lice. There are two kinds of lice that live upon the dog, viz.: tho blood-sucker 

 (pemetopinus) which has a narrow, long head, and a strong sucking tube, and the bird louse 

 (trichodectes). The latter has a large, broad head, and strong b ting jaws, but differs from the 

 latter in having no sucking tube. These para 

 sites may be exterminated by sifting pyrethrum 

 powder into the hair, or by the use of a wash 

 of tobacco tea. The application of oil, as 

 recommended for fleas, is also excellent for this 

 purpose. 



THE BLOOD SUCKER. 



THE BIRD LOUSE. 



The eruptions produced are reddish with 



Mange. This disease is caused by an in 

 sect that burrows in the skin, causing intense 

 itching. The animal will scratch so constantly 

 that bare patches will be worn off his coat. 

 This itching generally makes its first appear 

 ance around the eyes, on the elbows, fore legs, 

 on the flanks, and down the inside of the 

 thighs, soon after spreading all over the body, 

 scaly patches between the pimples, and loss of hair. Mange is contagious, but ill-fed dogs 

 with filthy surroundings are more apt to have it than others. Wash the animal thoroughly 

 with soap and water to remove all the scurf and scabs; when the coat is well dried rub 

 thoroughly into all the parts affected an ointment made of equal quantities of sulphur and 

 lard well mixed. Apply daily, washing the coat thoroughly after the fourth day. In obsti 

 nate cases the treatment may have to be extended for several days. Give the animal good 

 wholesome food and plenty of pure cold water. 



Paralysis. This disease frequently follows distemper, but may result from a bad cold, 

 worms, or from some injury to the spine. It will, however, usually yield to judicious 

 treatment. The symptoms are a staggering gait in the hind quarters, which sometimes 

 results in the dog losing all power over them, and will drag the body around by the fore 

 parts. Clip off the hair over the loins and apply to the back, along the spine, a mustard paste 

 until it creates considerable irritation of the skin. Make twenty pills of the following: One- 

 half drachm of powdered nux vomica, one drachm gentian, one drachm iodide of potash. 

 Give a quarter of a pill morning and night for three days; then increase to half a pill for 

 three days more; then to three-quarters of a pill for three days, and finally to a whole pill. 

 Continue this treatment until a rigidity of muscles and stiffness of the legs are noticed from 

 half an hour to an hour after taking the pill. These symptoms prove that the medicine has 

 had the desired effect, and when they appear the pill should be stopped. In large or old 

 dogs, the dose is sometimes gradually increased to two pills, but it would be too large a dose 

 ior a small or young dog, and would kill any dog unless increased gradually as previously 

 ^described. In giving a large dose great care should be taken not to omit a dose, for in such 

 :a case the following dose might kill the animal, since it is a powerful poison. Keep the 

 animal clean, and the bowels open with an occasional dose of castor oil. Feed a light, 

 ;nourishing diet, and while recovering, be careful not to let him exercise much, as over- 

 - exertion might bring on the disease again. Rub the hind quarters and legs several times 

 a day, with the hands. 



Poisons. The first thing to be done when a dog has been poisoned is to give an emetic, 

 -which may consist of a teaspoonful of mustard in a tumbler full of luke-warm water. If 

 this does not vomit the animal, in a moment or two repeat it. A few raw eggs or a little 

 r-iriilk should be given after the emetic has taken effect, as they moderate the action of the 

 .poison .that may still be retained on the stomach and bowels. Give shortly after a full dose 



