LVI. 

 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 



ENTERITIS. 



'No animal suffers so frequently with inflammation of the 

 bowels as does the dog. His intestines are peculiarly irritable 

 and subject to inflammation. A cold temperature is a common 

 cause of the disease. 



Symptoms. — A great thirst, blood-shot eyes, a tender and 

 corded belly; his cries are frequent and piteous; he avoids food, 

 and looks around at his flanks with lingering gaze, accompanied 

 by a cry or groan. . Its prevailing cause is exposure to cold, espe- 

 cially after fatigue, or lying on wet stones or grass. 



Treatment. — Place the patient in a warm bath. The abdo- 

 men should be rubbed while in the bath. Emetics should be 

 given, but not too frequently. An ounce of castor oil should be 

 given. The spirits of white poppies is highly recommended in 

 this disease. The pulverized or tincture of opium is also useful, 

 given in doses of eight grains of the powder or ten to fifteen 

 drops of the tincture every four hours. 



PERITONITIS. 



An inflammation of the peritoneal membrane frequently oc- 

 curs in the dog, characterized by loss of appetite; the belly is 

 tucked up, hard, and contracted, and there is a frequent pulse. 

 The dog may whine and try to hide himself. 



Treatment. — Castor oil should be given. Tincture of opium 

 may be given in ten to fifteen drop doses, according to the size 

 and age of the animal. It may be given every four hours. 



(526) 



