DOG DISEASES 235 



RUPTURE OF THE ABDOMEN 



I would like to have your advice on a pointer 



pup seven weeks old that has a swelling and bag 



under it right where the navel is. It is as big as 



the end of your thumb and looks as if it might be 



full of water. I can press it back easily but it 



comes right down again. Is there anything I can 



do to put it up or could it be opened? It doesn't 



seem to hurt the pup and all the litter were the 



same way. 



J. Bradly. 



Ans. — These pups all have umbilical hernia, and 

 you are in for an operation. I think you should 

 have a veterinary do it. 



The trouble will not cure itself, and requires 

 the intestinal protrusion pushed back and the hole 

 in the abdomen and skin stitched with catgut. 

 Usually two stitches are sufficient. 



Pups must be fed only bread and milk for a 

 day and fasted for half a day before, with the 

 bowels cleaned out with sweet oil. They are then 

 ready for the operation. 



The part should be sprayed with chloroform or 

 sulphuric ether to deaden the pain, after which 

 the sack can be opened, the parts protruding 

 pushed back, the ring through which they come 



