52 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS 



the vessel from which the animal was drinking, it shows little or no 

 diminution in the contents. 



DISEASES OF THE STOMACH. 



Acute Catarrh of the Stomach. 

 Gastritis Catarrhalis; Gastricismus; Acute Dyspepsia. 



Etiology. — The following are generally the causes of this very common 

 disease: hot, frozen, fermenting or decaying alimentary matters, over- 

 feeding or gorging after a long fast, foreign bodies, such as sand, stones, 

 buttons, splinters of w^ood, and undigestible food that is not adapted or 

 intended to be eaten by dogs, and also from the presence of parasites. 

 As regards toxic gastritis, that will be taken up later on. We find also 

 that some diseases, such as distemper, some affections of the liver, and 

 intestinal catarrh have acute gastritis accompanying them. Very often 

 acute catarrh of the stomach is developed from simple colds, or clipping 

 the animal, too frequent bathing, and not drying it properly. 



Pathological Anatomy. — The mucous membranes of the stomach are 

 hyperaemic and swollen; the folds of the membranes are distended and 

 covered with a thick tenacious mucus. At times there are seen small, 

 hemorrhagic erosions on the membrane. 



Clinical Symptoms. — The first symptom of acute catarrh is loss of 

 appetite. The animal will be very dainty and pick out certain pieces, 

 generally meat, and eat them slowly, or, as is generally seen, refuse food 

 altogether. The animal is always very thirsty, drinking large quantities 

 of water. The animal vomits frequently, especially after eating or drink- 

 ing, but may vomit without anything on the stomach. If after eating, it 

 consists of masses of undigested food mixed with a tenacious mucus and 

 saliva; if after drinking water, the water is tenacious and forms bubbles of 

 thick mucus — this may be streaked with blood or more or less tainted 

 with bile, according to the condition of the liver. The tongue is coated 

 with a thick, white mucus and on pressure in the region of the stomach 

 the animal evinces pain, and the stomach may be distended with gas (see 

 page 20). The animal is irritable and wants to keep in the dark or 

 in cool places and not be disturbed, or may give sharp short cries, 

 change from place to place, and give every indication of stomachache. 

 The nose is dry and the body temperature uneven, that is, body hot, ex- 

 tremities cold, and there may be some rise of temperature. If the symp- 

 toms are of an alarming character, they are generally caused by some 

 toxic condition, due to the formation of poisons, generated in the 

 stomach (ptomains). With this we have a putrid smell from the mouth, 

 great depression, or even complete coma, and evidences of acute narcotic 



