94 DISEASES 



are in a weakened condition. It is active when the attack is brought on 

 by some extrinsic cause, passive when it is the result of some other disease, 

 or is due to an intrinsic cause. 



"The breeds of dogs most likely to be affected by indigestion are 

 the pug, the Japanese spaniel, the black and tan, the greyhound, the 

 Yorkshire terrier, the French poodle and the fox terrier. 



"Pugs are probably the greatest sufferers. As a rule, they are en- 

 couraged in laziness, while sweetmeats are fed to them indiscriminately, 

 so that it is not surprising they should become fat and dyspeptic. 



"The foods which are richest in fats and those which are prone to 

 fermentation are the most indigestible, but it is not so much the nature of 

 the food as it is the quantity consumed at one time which injures an 

 animal's stomach. Small dogs are more voracious in their feeding than 

 large dogs. Some dogs never or seldom get a bone to gnaw. The dog is a 

 carnivorous animal, and in a state of nature he lives only on the flesh of 

 other animals. As he swallows his food with but little mastication, Nature 

 has provided him with a desire to gnaw the bones into small pieces. "When 

 these small pieces are taken into the stomach they bruise and lacerate the 

 food until it is made thoroughly digestible. It is believed that 70 per 

 cent of the cases of indigestion in dogs are due to their being deprived 

 of bones to gnaw. Domestication has to a great extent modified the habits 

 of the dog. Some pets are pampered and spoiled to the degree that they 

 will eat only certain foods, which must be fed to them with a fork or from 

 some particular dish. Such peculiarities are predisposing causes to indi- 

 gestion. 



"A symptom of acute indigestion is vomiting after feeding. Later 

 this is followed by general dullness; the dog isolates himself from his 

 friends, his eyes .roll with an expression of fear. The muzzle may be dry. 

 Rumbling sounds in the bowel sare heard, accompanied by distension of 

 the abdomen, which is filled with gas. If the animal is forced to move, 

 he shows great uneasiness and is stiff in his posterior limbs, his back 

 arched to relieve the tension of the abdominal muscles. If the abdomen is 

 manipulated he evinces acute pain. The bowels are constipated.. These 

 symptoms may continue for an hour or more, and the attack may pass off 

 as suddenly as it began, or it may last for some length of time, during 

 which the dog suffers the greatest pain. Then the pain ceases, his eyes 

 brighten, he becomes cheerful, and off he goes for a run, apparently per- 

 fectly well. 



"The symptoms of chronic indigestion are the same as those of the 

 acute attack, only they are less intense and they continue for days at a 

 time. The dog often grows irritable to a state of fenzy, and will run about 

 snapping and biting, exposing himself to be shot for mad by some over- 

 zealous policeman. 



"As regards treatment, it is more important to regulate the diet 

 than to give medicines. Feed the sufferer once or twice a day, not oftener, 

 and feed him sparingly. Give him five (5) grains of saccharated pepsin 

 before meals, and five (5) grains each of subnitrate of bismuth and bi- 

 carbonate of soda after meals. For small dogs, such as terriers, black 

 and tans, Japanese spaniels, etc., the dose should he reduced one-half," 



