DISEASES 155 



"What are the symptoms by which it can be determined that a dog 

 Is suffering from worms? As regards puppies, the symptoms are very 

 clear. 



They begin to get thin, and they have an appearance that can best 

 be described by the not very euphonious or deiicate, but certainly vivid, 

 description of 'pot-bellied.' 



This means that the round worms with which they become infested 

 develop to such an extent as to give them a hanging appearance, which 

 every one that has had experience in raising puppies will speedily recognize 

 as symptomatic of the presence of worms. 



The puppies become very voracious, yet do not seem to thrive, and in 

 a majority of cases they have fits, and unless relief be given very soon 

 they will die In these fits. 



Another symptom is diarrhoea, which, of course, is due to the irritated 

 condition of the intestines. 



The administration of worm medicine in any shape or form, how- 

 ever simple, to puppies is always attended with no small amount of risk, 

 and for this reason, as it seems to us — that the effect of a mild dose of 

 medicine is simple to stir up the worms when a puppy is badly infested, 

 which is practically as bad as giving an overstrong dose. 



The mild dose stirs them up and causes a fit, when the overstrong dose 

 may have what is practically a poisonous effect. Repeat the dose in a mild- 

 er form in about a week, and then it will be safe to assume that the puppy 

 has been cleared entirely. After this take the precaution to give from time 

 to time some little laxative medicine. In this way you can effectively 

 prevent the development of worms to any serious extent, and so there will 

 not be any further need for the stronger vermifuges which are required 

 when a puppy is badly infested. 



The following are among the many symptomatic indications of worms: 



The Eyes. — Pupils almost constantly dilated; the eyelids nearly closed, 

 as though aching, which is aggravated by motion; sensitive to light; the 

 whites of eyes red and in jested; patient acts as though sight were de- 

 fective, being guarded in its movements; eyeballs roll about in distorted 

 fashion; opacity of the lens and amaurotic conditions. 



The Nose. — Great irritation, evidenced by frequent rubbing on the 

 ground or with the paws. . 



The Tongue. — The dorsum centrally coated with yellow fur; on the 

 sides appear round or oval spots of a pink or deep crimson color, occasion- 

 ally slightly elevated when vomiting, and diarrhoea are present accom- 

 paniments, and spots are observed through the coating of fur. 



The Mouth. — Dribbling of slimy saliva, especially during sleep; breath 

 fetid and very offensive; frequent grinding of the teeth, both when asleep 

 and awake. 



Cough. — Dry, short and spasmodic. 



Appetite. — Capricious, depraved, frequently ravenous, occasionally in 

 abeyance. 



Heart. — Palpitation; violence and irregular action; sharp pains, indn 

 cated by crying out and biting at the ribs over tiie seat of heart; very 

 rapid breathing. 



Abdomen.-f-Swollen and hard to the touch; griping pains, indicated 



