KPILEPS? , OB FITS. 27 J 



CHAPTER IV. 



DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



Epilepsy, or Fits. 



The dog is occasionally subject to true epilepsy, 

 and not unfrequently to fits or convulsions arising 

 from transient causes ; such as teething in puppies, 

 worms, want of exercise, and then too violent exer- 

 cise. They are liable also to come on during dis- 

 temper or after it, or from disease of the brain. 

 Small pet dogs are more subject to fits than others, 

 as their nervous system is more excitable and their 

 lives more artificial. 



SYMPTOMS. The fit generally comes on sud- 

 denly, the animal staggers, falls down, remains ly- 

 ing for an instant, and then is violently convulsed ; 

 the legs become stiff, the face distorted, the eyes 

 roll about, the tongue is thrust out, the jaws nearly 

 closed or firmly clenched. The convulsion be- 

 comes gradually less, and after some twitches they 

 cease, and the animal in a short time appears well 

 again. 



In true epilepsy the fits recur again at diminish- 

 ing intervals, and excitements may easily reproduce 

 them. 



