11— PUPPIES AND THEIR CARE 



worms and it is possible for puppies to be 

 born carrying round worms within them 

 from the mother's womb. 



The ssmiptoms of worm infestation are 

 not alwajrs clear. If the puppy is continu- 

 ally pot-bellied, his coat dry or lacks oil 

 and lustre, if he rubs himself frequently 

 on his haunches, and if segments of 

 worms are seen in the feces, there is evi- 

 dence that worms are present. The veter- 

 inarian can examine the feces for worm 

 eggs. 



How Often to Worm 



Some breeders worm their puppies as 

 early as six weeks. At least the puppy 

 should be wormed shortly after being 

 weaned, then at six months, then at twelve 

 months and once a year thereafter. 



Whether or not you see evidence of 

 worms in the feces, it is well to worm the 

 puppy. Most of the preparations obtain- 

 able at the drug store or from the veter- 

 inarian are acceptable. An overdose should 

 be avoided. 



Method of Worming 



Most of these remedies work best when 

 the intestinal tract is free from contents. 

 Consequently, a puppy should bo wormed 

 on an empty stomach. Feed the puppy in 

 the evening, then worm in the morning ; 

 follow within a half hour with a laxative 

 or purgative, such as castor oil or Epsom 

 salts or mineral oil. 



Do not give the puppy food or water 

 until about two hours after the worming. 



Follow-up Often Advisable 



If the puppy is heavily infested, it is 

 well to repeat the worming in about ten 

 days for the worms which have developed 

 after the first worming, will then be re- 

 moved also. 



Kinds of Worms 



Round or stomach worms are the most 

 common. These are white or pinkish, 

 varying in length from an inch to six 

 mches and of about the thickness of white 

 wrapping twine. 



Tapeworm is not nearly so common as 

 roundworm. It is a flat worm made up of 

 segments. Usually the same remedy which 

 removes roundworms will not remove tape- 

 worms. However, the commercial prepa- 

 rations give full instructions regarding 

 this. 



Hookworms and whipworms are not 

 common but are serious if present. 



Heartworm has made its appearance in 

 this country— a threadlike white worm 

 which infests heart and lungs. The drug 

 fuadin is usually curative if given in the 

 early stage. 



Distemper Greatest Scourge 



We come now to what long has been the 

 curse of the dog — the dreaded distemper. 

 It is a disease somewhat similar to in- 

 fluenza in humans. Practically all dogs 

 contract this disease and usually before 

 they are six months old. One attack brings 

 on immunity from later attacks. How it 

 is spread is sometimes a mystery for a dog 

 may contract distemper without coming in 

 contact with other dogs. Likely the germ 

 *8 genital — born with the dog. 



Symptoms of distemper are varied. The 

 dog usually has a running at the nose and 

 the eyes, has a fever, the skin is hot 

 and dry to the touch, appetite is gone, the 

 dog lies about listless. 



Tonics and not Cures 



Many preparations in the past have been 

 mostly condition remedies which clean out 

 the intestines and bowels and increase the 

 heart action in order to keep up the vi- 

 tality of the dog. In their way they give 

 aid but they do not cure distemper. There 

 is yet no cure known for distemper. 



Inoculation Advisable 



It is heartily advisabie that a dog be in- 

 oculated against distemper. Fortunately 

 inoculation which is effective in about 90% 

 of the cases now prevents distemper en- 

 tirely or gives the dog a light attack of it. 

 Every puppy should be inoclulated at about 

 the age of three months. 



Most methods require three injections- 

 vaccine (killed virus) as temporary im- 

 munity ; ten days later, a stronger injec- 

 tion ; and ten days thereafter, an injection 

 of live virus. 



Fits a Strange Ailment 



Running fits or canine hysteria became 

 very common in this country about the 

 year 1927 and still is common. Do not 

 confuse it with epilepsy and rabies. 



The dog which has fits may froth at the 

 mouth, run about wildly, bark loudly, shy 

 away from everything and try to hide 

 under a dresser, and may even tun around 

 in circles until he falls down, his legs 

 stiffen, and they move as tho they were 

 pedaling a bicycle. 



Running fits is a strange disease. The 

 nature and cure of it are not fully known. 

 There is no danger to humans ; a bite by a 

 dog that has fits is not dangerous any 

 more than an ordinary ('.og bite. 



Such conditions as worms, indigestion, 

 lack of exercise, and improper diet may 

 bring it on. 



Treatment for Fits 



Keep the dog quiet, keep him in a some- 

 what dark place free from draft. Give him 

 a laxative, reduce the amount of food, 

 give very little water, and feed mostly 

 raw meat after you have fasted the dog 

 for as long as forty-eight hours. Injection 

 of vitamin Bl (thiamin) is helpful and 

 can be considered a satisfactory treat- 

 ment. 



The disease is seldom fatal and the dog 

 usually outgrows it after a few months. 

 A dog may have as many as two or three 

 fits a day ; and each may last as long as 

 flve minutes to thirty minutes. In severe 

 cases, the veterinarian will administer a 

 sedative. If the dog is in the midst of a 

 fit, shake him violently, massage him vig- 

 orously ; this tends to pull him out of it. 

 Aspirin tablets and calcium gluconate 

 tablets can be given also for temporary 

 relief. 



Skin Troubles Common 



Diseases of the skin are extremely im- 

 portant. After digestive troubles, skin 

 troubles come next as the chief concern 

 in the health of the dog. 



