DISEASES OE THE DOG. 



Distemper. 



Distemper is a feverish disease, marked by a rapid loss of strength 

 and flesh in proportion to the severity of the attack. It may occur 

 more than once in the same individual, and at any period of life. It 

 is generally met with in the puppy, and in the majority of cases the- 

 dog is afterwards exempt. The cause of the disease consists in the 

 poisoned state of the blood, which may be produced either by conta- 

 gion or by putrid emanations from filthy and overcrowded kennels. 

 It is from the efforts of nature to throw off this poison that the 

 various symptoms are produced by which we know the disease. The 

 symptoms differ in accordance with the difference of constitution of 

 the animal, also to the state of surroundings, air, etc. Distemper is 

 either simple or attended by complications in the chest, head, belly, 

 etc. Although they are all essentially the same disease, the variations 

 may be described as : 1st. Mild distemper. 2nd. Head distemper. 

 3rd. Chest distemper. 4th. Belly distemper. 5th. Malignant 

 distemper. 



In almost all cases of mild distemper, the following symptoms 

 show themselves, with the additional symptoms peculiar to each. 

 The first noticeable thing is a general dullness, especially in the eyes, 

 accompanied by a loss of appetite and a dislike for exercise and play. 

 A short cough soon appears, attended by a disposition to sneeze, and 

 the dog appears as though he hardly knew which to do first, 

 cough or sneeze. While the dog is quiet in his kennel, the cough and 



