r-~ — diseases ; ; 97 



IrLs, Inflammation or. — See Iritis. 



Injury to the Brain — The bony covering of the brain is very strong in 

 the dog. They are liable to accidents from falls on the head, running full 

 force against some obstacle, or from a blow, which may cause concussion 

 of the brain. The dog will lie stunned or insensible, breathing feebly, and 

 pulse small and quick. In treating, examine the head for fracture of the 

 skull, and, if bleeding, stop it by cold applications. In cases of this kind 

 consult a good veterinary surgeon. Until he comes rub brandy or whisky 

 on the gums and keep the body warm. If you have on hand ammonia hold 

 it to the nostrils. 



Intussusception. — See Bowels, Obstruction of. — This is a slipping of 

 one portion of the intestines that has been contracted by spasm, within 

 another part retaining its natural diameter, and is another and not uncom- 

 mon cause of obstruction, and apt to occur during spasmodic colic. It is 

 fatal, and can not be determined by symptoms, a postmortem only showing 

 the trouble. No dog should be allowed to be costive over two days, and 

 not so long, is much safer, without having been helped by proper remedies 

 prescribed elsewhere. It is always safe, however, and advisable to give in 

 such cases a full dose of castor oil, olive oil or a mixture of both. Worms 

 can cause obstruction in the intestines, especially in puppies, round worms 

 getting coiled up into balls, which sets up local irritation, interfering with 

 the natural action of the bowels. 



Jaundice, or the "Yellows," and Inflammation of (he Liver (Hepatitis). 

 — These should be treated as distinct diseases, but to the ordinary dog 

 owner the division would be of little use. the causes and general treatment 

 being alike. There are two forms of inflammation of the liver — the acute 

 and chronic, the former the rarer, which appears more suddenly; the latter 

 comes as a sequel of the acute. The causes of this disease, in most cases, 

 are traceable to improper and over-feeding, combined with lack of exercise, 

 which accounts for the great number of such cases occurring in house and 

 pet dogs. In hunting dogs it can be brought on by continued exposure to 

 wet, or their going into water in cold weather, sleeping in damp places, 

 of over-exertion. 



One very common cause is the repeated resort to powerful emetics, 

 which so many use as if they possessed a charm over dog diseases. 



Symptoms. — Dog is dull, restless in his sleep, has excessive thirst, very 

 poor appetite, becomes thin, and the portions of his skin not covered by 

 hair you will readily notice to be of a yellowish color or tinge. This will 

 be seen on the gums, lips, and under the legs. The discharge is fetid, and 

 urine, passed in small quantities, is yellow. There is also fever, with fits 

 of heat and shivering. Vomiting sometimes occurs; the matter ejected 

 is slimy and of a yellowish color; the bowels are generally constipated, 

 and the excrement of a pale clay color. In chronic cases the belly is often 

 enlarged and flatulence often exists. In severe cases the dog will los« 

 flesh rapidly, and soon become a mere skeleton. The liver, in a healthy 

 state, secretes a yellow fluid called the gall, which is collected in the gall 



