DIAGNOSIS. 533 



with the mouth, gently opening the jaws, feeling along the neck, down the spine, and down each 

 limb, inside and outside ; then, having laid him on his back, we ought to examine the chest and 

 abdomen well, especially the latter, which should be gently kneaded. Sometimes a hardness will 

 be found in the intestines, which, coupled with existing constipation, will be quite enough to 

 account for the animal's illness, and the removal of this state of system is at least one step in the 

 right direction. By such an examination, moreover, any swelling or tumour, bruise or fracture, 

 will be readily discovered. The dog ought now be made to walk about a little, and talked to 

 kindly, and his gait and manner noticed. Some dogs will almost speak to a person after their 

 own fashion, that is, in sign language, and tell the whereabouts of their trouble. 



Before prescribing for a dog, it is always best to have the whole history of the case, from the 

 very first noticeable deviation from the straight line of health. We have various signs and 

 symptoms afforded us, which although the dog cannot express his feelings and sensations 

 generally guide us to a correct diagnosis of the case. 



1. First let us take the Coat and Skin, A dry, staring coat is always a sign of illness, 

 present or to come. The coat stares because the nervous system is in a low condition. 

 Such an animal, if taken into even a moderately cold place, will most likely shiver. Now, this 

 skivering is in itself important. It usually denotes a febrile condition of body, and it is 

 generally seen at the commencement of most acute disorders ; and if it amounts to an actual 

 rigor, we may be prepared for inflammation of some important organ. Shiverings take place, 

 again, when the inflammation has run on to suppuration. In continued fever these chills recur at 

 intervals in the course of the illness. 



The skin of an animal in perfect health say the inside of a dog's thigh ought to feel gently, 

 genially warm and dry, without being hot. In the febrile condition, it is hot and dry, with a 

 more frequent pulse than usual. A cold, clammy skin, on the other hand, with a feeble pulse, 

 would indicate depression of the vital powers. Death-cold ears and legs are a sinking sign. The 

 ears, again, may be too hot, indicating fever. 



Elevation of temperature is more easily determined by the use of the clinical thermometer. 

 Every one who keeps a large kennel of dogs should buy one, and it ought to be used in health 

 as well as disease, so that changes may be more easily marked. 



The colour of the skin is, of course, of great importance, often giving the first clue to liver 

 mischief. White dogs, such as Maltese and Pomeranians, have a pretty pink skin, Yorkshire 

 Terriers a bluish skin, while that of a jet-black dog ought to be very white. In jaundice this is 

 altered to various shades of yellow. The skin of a dog in health ought to be soft, and pliant, and 

 thin ; in diseases of the skin it often gets thickened, and often scurfy. 



2. The Mucous Membranes. The appearance of these under various circumstances aid us 

 materially in our diagnosis. Take that of the conjunctiva, for instance. The white of the eye of 

 a dog should be like that of a well-boiled egg, with here and there, perhaps, a little capillary vessel 

 making its appearance. In febrile disorders the eye is invariably injected. In jaundice it is a 

 bright yellow. (N.B. An injected eye without other symptoms must not make one think one's 

 dog is ill ; it is very often indeed injected in animals who sleep out of doors, and exercise will also 

 redden the conjunctiva.) 



The mucous membrane of the mouth ought to be of a pale pinkish hue. Pale gums in a white 

 dog indicate debility. 



3. Mouth and Tongue. The tongue of a healthy dog should be of a beautiful pink colour, 

 and soft and moist. A dry tongue, or a tongue covered with whitish saliva, is indicative of 

 excitement of circulation. If the tongue is a darkish red, it shows that the mucous membrane of 



