594 Tut BOOK of THE DOG. 



By injecting a solution of lactic acid and water into the peritoneum, Dr. Richardson 

 succeeded in producing in the dog and cat not only endocarditis, with swelling and obstruction 

 of the valves of the heart, by fibrinous bands, but well-marked inflammation of the joints, and 

 inflammation of the sclerotic coat of the eye. 



One peculiarity in the inflammation of rheumatism is its tendency to shift its seat, and this, 

 too, not only from one joint to another, but to serous membranes in parts of the body more 

 intimately connected with life itself. Thus, we find rheumatic fever often complicated with 

 pericarditis and endocarditis, and sometimes even with pleurisy. Rheumatism uncomplicated is 

 an inflammation of the fibrous sheathing of the joints and muscles ; any or many joints may 

 be implicated, and we always have more or less of fever. 



Causes. Whatever may be the real pathology of this disease, its exciting causes are not far 

 to seek. It is generally found in dogs that have been neglected, not only as to the comforts 

 of their kennels, but as to their food. Also in dogs that are over-pampered and over-cared for, 

 and by this means rendered constitutionally tender. 



The disease is also hereditary ; and if a dog has one attack of rheumatism, either acute 

 or chronic, it usually predisposes to another. 



There are, to our knowledge, some kennels of sporting dogs in England that for many years 

 have never been free from rheumatism in some form or other. 



The proximate cause of rheumatism is exposure to damp and cold, or alternate heats and 

 chills combined with damp. Probably the first generation of the evil is to be traced to the 

 lungs themselves, and the diathesis may be acquired from alteration in the blood, owing to its 

 not being properly purified in the process of respiration. 



Symptoms. In our own experience the disease we mean acute, not chronic, rheumatism 

 does not come on suddenly ; for the first symptom, but one which unfortunately generally escapes 

 observation, is a certain degree of stiffness in all the dog's motions, and a departure from his 

 ordinary state of activity. If walking with his master he lags behind, or if in the field he is 

 stiffish at first, although when he warms to his work this soon wears off, and there seems for a 

 time nothing wrong with him. Again, especially if a large dog, after he has been lying down 

 for some time he feels unable or unwilling to get up with his wonted ease. Perhaps he cries 

 out, and he will have to go some distance before this pain and stiffness be shaken off. This may 

 go on for a day or two, or even much longer, before any symptom of really acute rheumatism 

 supervenes ; and all the while the blood is getting more and more poisoned with the acid. 



At length acute or sub-acute inflammation of the ligaments, tendons, and aponeurosis of the 

 muscles takes place, it may be in the shoulder, the leg or legs, the neck, the chest, or back, in 

 any of these regions or in all combined. The dog now not only exhibits stiffness and pain, but he 

 becomes restless and feverish ; he moves about anxiously, stopping at times and crying out, as if 

 he had hurt himself ; or he seeks out a quiet corner, generally in under something, where he 

 can lie unmolested. 



Even in slight cases there is always more or less of fever. The nose is dry, the breath 

 and mouth hot. and the tongue furred. The pulse, too, will be found hard, and increased in 

 frequency, and the insides of the thighs hot, and often covered with perspiration. The dog's 

 temper is bad, as a rule. He is peevish, at least, and often snarly. All he seems to wish is 

 to be left alone. 



On examination, the affected joints will be found more or less swollen, and exceedingly 

 tender, and the swelling has this peculiarity, it is firm in its nature, and rarely, if ever, points to 

 or runs on to suppuration. 



