6 1 2 THE BOOK OF THE Doc. 



The causes usually assigned by medical men and veterinary practitioners for the spasm, 

 and consequent dyspnoea, are very many, such as hepatisation, or solidification of a portion of 

 lung tissue, emphysema or air in the lung, disease of the diaphragm, nervous ailments, heart disease, 

 &c. One or more of these disorders may be present certainly, but in the dog we are convinced 

 it is nearly always produced from indigestion, brought about by over or irregular feeding, 

 indulgence in the delicacies of the table, and want of proper exercise. Gastric disturbance is 

 set up, the irritation is carried along the pneumo-ga.stric to the medulla oblongata, and reflected 

 thence by motor filaments to the lungs. 



Symptoms. Although the animal may be as a rule a sufferer from shortness of breathing, 

 and is often troubled with a dry, harsh cough, it is only at times that the paroxysmal fit comes 

 on, and usually some time after a heavy meal. The dog may be observed previously to be more 

 dull than usual, but the fit may come on without any warning whatever. There is difficulty of 

 breathing, which gradually increases, until actual suffocation seems imminent. The fit wears 

 off again as gradually as it came, ending with cough and a hacking sound ; the spasm wears off, 

 there is secretion of mucus from the lungs, and such relief that the poor animal usually falls 

 asleep. During the fit the dog's body is cold, and his pulse feeble. 



Dogs that are the subjects of asthma are not only apt to have dyspnoea on any exertion, 

 but they are of a coarse habit of body altogether, and may be troubled with skin disease in 

 some form. The coat is rough and dry, and, especially in old dogs, the hair comes off in 

 patches about the loins and rump. The bowels are irregular, and the appetite not lost but 

 depraved. The dog prefers dainties, and while refusing good wholesome food, he appears 

 hungry enough when flesh is offered him. Combined with other symptoms, there may be piles 

 and chronic bronchitis, either one or both. 



Diagnosis. The peculiar nature of the breathing, which is a struggle for breath, the anxiety 

 of the countenance, the staring eye, and general distress, make the diagnosis simple even to 

 the tyro. 



Prognosis. This is favourable if the dog is attended to after the first attack, and especially 

 if he be a young dog. In old standing cases a cure is far from certain, not that death ever 

 takes place during the actual fit, but asthma never goes on long without being complicated 

 with other disorders that prove fatal in the long run. 



Treatment. I. In order to cut short the fit, recourse must first be had either to an emetic 

 common salt, or sulphate of zinc, or powdered ipecacuanha, if we have reason to believe that the 

 dog has been gluttonising ; if, on the other hand, he has been suffering previously from constipation, 

 the rectum must be unloaded by means of a large enema or clyster of simply soap and water. 

 Afterwards you may use either of the following draughts 



& Tinct. belladonn. ... ... -my. ad mxxx. 



Sp. chlorof. ... ... TH, v. ad -\\\ xx. 



lod. potass. ... ... gr. v. ad gr. xx. 



Aq. camph. ... ... q. s. 



Ft. haustus. M. 



#. Sol mur. morph. ) 



c , . r a, a, m v. ad m xx. 



Sp. chlorof. I 



Aq. camph. ... ... q. s. 



Ft. haust. M. 



