542 THE BOOK OF THE DOG. 



ON ADMINISTERING MEDICINES. 



A word now on the usual method of physicking dogs ; premising, however, that the good to 

 be obtained from the medicine a dog takes will depend, in a great measure, upon the regularity 

 with which it is administered. The benefit most medicines effect is done little by little. Step 

 by step the physician fights the enemy and drives him from his stronghold, but a step retrograde 

 often enables the foe to bring up his reserves, and finally put the doctor to the rout. 



A dog should never be treated roughly. Struggling with a sick animal often does him 

 more harm than the medicine to be given can do good. 



Medicines are prescribed in the form of either pill, bolus, mixture, or powder. 



When giving a dog a pill or bolus, if a small dog, he may be held either on the adminis- 

 trator's knee, or on that of an assistant. The mouth is then gently but firmly opened with 

 one hand, and the pill is thrust as far down as you can before being let go, the head being 

 meanwhile held at an angle of 45 or thereabouts. Close the mouth at once thereafter, and 

 give a slight tap under the chin to aid deglutition by taking the dog by surprise. See that the 

 upper lips are folded under the teeth during the operation, thus protecting the fingers from 

 being bitten, for the dog will hardly care to bite through his own lips to get at the hand. 

 With a large dog the best plan is to back him up against the inner corner of a wall and get 

 astride of him. Some dogs will positively refuse to have their mouths forced open by their 

 owners, but will submit readily enough to the veterinary surgeon. 



The least nauseating or bitter of fluid medicines can generally be given in the food, those, 

 however, that have a bad taste, must be forcibly put over the throat. Hold the dog in 

 the same position as in giving a bolus, only there is no necessity for opening the mouth so 

 wide, although the head is to be held well back, gradually then, and not too much at a time 

 pour the mixture over the front teeth down into the back part of the throat. When it is all 

 down, giving the animal a morsel of meat, or anything tasty, will often prevent him from 

 bringing it back again. This tendency to vomit is very strong in the dog, but may often 

 be overcome by taking the animal out into the open air for a little while, after he has been 

 drenched, and engaging his attention as much as possible, or by tying up his head for a time. 

 Powders, if tasteless, are best mixed with the food, or if nauseous and bitter, and still not 

 bulky, they may be given enclosed in a thin layer of beef, only do not let the dog sec you 

 preparing it. Or, they may be mixed in butter or lard, syrup or glycerine, and placed well 

 back on the tongue, or, better still, well back against the roof of the mouth. Close the 

 mouth for a little after placing it there, until you hear the act of deglutition performed. 



Everybody who has had anything to do with the physicking of dogs knows how sly 

 they often are, and how they will try to hoodwink one. Sometimes they will hold the 

 medicine in their mouths for a considerable time, until they see a good chance of spitting it 

 out. It is sometimes even necessary to hold the dog's nose until he swallows. 



A better plan of drenching and a safer is to keep the mouth shut and form the lips into 

 a funnel. Get an assistant to pour the medicine a little at a time into this funnel, and keep 

 the mouth close, or mouth and nose shut until each mouthful is swallowed. 



N.B. In giving medicine to a dog, one must keep very cool, and on no account make 

 a fuss, or any great display of bottles and preparations, or the poor animal may think some 

 great evil is going to happen to him, and be obstreperous accordingly. 



Medicines are sometimes administered by enema ; in this case, it is well to oil both the 



