602 ACUTE INFECTIOUS DISEASES 



Diagnosis. The disease is recognized by its contagious 

 character, its rapid, severe course and the profuse diarrhea. 

 The absence of catarrhal symptoms of the air passages and 

 eyes would assist in differentiating it from distemper. 

 Ptomains or mineral poisons will produce similar symptoms, 

 but the microscopic examination, the contagious character 

 and the investigation of the food supply, history of poison- 

 ing, etc., will serve to make clear the differentiation. It 

 is very important to be able to make an accurate diagnosis 

 for the protection of other animals. 



Prognosis. The prognosis is bad. Even in the early 

 period of the disease, and in the apparently mild cases, it 

 should be looked upon as a very serious condition. The 

 mortality is very high, from 80 to 90 per cent, of the cases 

 terminating fatally. 



Treatment. There is no treatment known that has 

 much, if any, effect on the course of the disease. Sympto- 

 matic treatment is the only thing that can be done. A 

 vaccine is being used as a prophylactic treatment, but at 

 present it is difficult to say what the results will prove to 

 be. An antisera is also being used at present and gives 

 considerable promise of success as a curative and preventive 

 agent. The progress of the disease, after it once breaks out 

 in a hospital or cattery can be curtailed only by removing 

 all sick and exposed animals, and thoroughly disinfecting 

 the rooms with formaldehyd gas. All utensils, litter, etc., 

 should be rendered innoxious. Prevention is far more 

 important than treatment. 



