SPASMODIC ASTHMA. 405 



SPASMODIC ASTHMA. 



What is often called asthma in the dog is nothing more than a 

 permanently chronic form of bronchitis, which is very common 

 among petted toy dogs or house dogs, which are not allowed much 

 exercise. The s3'mptoms and treatment are detailed under the 

 head of Chronic Bronchitis, at p. 403. But there is a form of 

 true asthma with spasm, which is also met with among the same 

 kind of dogs, the symjitoms of which are much more urgent, com- 

 prising a sudden accession of difficulty in breathing, so severe that 

 the dog evidently gasps for breath, and yet there is no evidence of 

 inflammation. It may be known by the suddenness of the attack, 

 inflammation being comparatively slow in its approach. The 

 treatment consists in the administration of an emetic (45), followed 

 by the cough bolus (46), or the draught (47) ; but, if the spasms 

 are very severe, a full dose of laudanum and ether must be given, 

 viz. — 1 drachm of laudanum, and 30 drops of the ether, in a little 

 water, every three hours, till relief is afibrded. The mustard 

 embrocation (42), or the turpentine liniment (43), may be rubbed 

 into the chest with great advantage. 



