170 DISEASES OF THE INTESTINES 



involved. In milder cases the symptoms are those of diar- 

 rhea due to functional disturbances of the bowels. In severe 

 cases the symptoms come on suddenly and are of great 

 severity. In dogs there is usually constipation in the early 

 stages followed in a few hours by diarrhea. The feces, as a 

 rule, are liquid, brownish in color and of more or less offen- 

 sive odor, depending upon the extent of the putrefactive 

 changes and the intensity of the inflammation. In severe 

 inflammations due to corrosive poisons, etc., the feces are 

 mixed with blood, sometimes passed in quite large quanti- 

 ties, and in the form of clots. When due to poisons, the odor 

 of the poison is often noticed in the feces. 



Colicky pains are noted and in severe cases intense abdom- 

 inal pain is one of the most prominent symptoms. The 

 abdominal muscles are tense, contracted, often giving the 

 animal a "tucked up" appearance. In severe inflammation 

 of the bowels the dog will often lie stretched out on its 

 abdomen, showing intense pain by howling, crying, nervous- 

 ness, etc. Sometimes the nervous symptoms will be promi- 

 nent enough to simulate rabies. 



Vomiting is a common symptom provided the stomach is 

 involved. The vomitus usually consists of food particles, 

 mucus, blood, bile, and in rare cases feces from the small 

 intestines. There is loss of appetite except in the very mild 

 cases. Fever is more or less high in the early stages, while 

 later in the dog it becomes subnormal. The temperature, as a 

 rule, cannot be depended upon to determine the severity of 

 the condition, as it may be increased in slight cases, and in 

 severe, be normal or subnormal. The general symptoms are 

 those of weakness, in proportion to the degree of inflamma- 

 tion, complete prostration or collapse. The surface of the 

 body becomes cold, the mucous membranes cyanotic, there 

 is well marked dyspnea and a weak, rapid pulse. In cats 

 the diarrhea is a very prominent early symptom. The feces 

 are liquid and often mixed with blood. Complete prostra- 

 tion takes place early under symptoms of dyspnea, general 

 weakness, and a very rapid weak pulse. 



In birds enteritis begins with diarrhea. The feces are 

 of a thin consistency, of a yellowish or greenish color, and 



