DISEASES. 17 



mon, blows or kicks on the abdomen. It may also be brought on by drinking foul 

 water, eating putrid food or anything likely to cause inflammation of the bowels, 

 violent diarrhea, and consequent, straining. Young bitches bred from before the 

 system is matured, and old worn-out ones, are most likely to abort. Preventive 

 measures consist in general attention to health, both in regard to the food and water 

 given and the sanitary condition of the kennel, and the permitting of regular, but 

 not violent, exercise, and in selecting only for breeding purposes bitches that are 

 matured and in vigorous health. When a bitch has had her pups before the full 

 time she should not be again bred from until at least one period of oestrum has 

 passed. 



APOPLEXY. See FITS. 



ANAEMIA (POVERTY OF BLOOD) is shown by paleness of the mucous mem- 

 branes, weak and slow pulse and heart-beat, lack of energy, depression and lassi- 

 tude. As the disease progresses, the eye sinks, becoming dull, the gait is stagger- 

 ing, the breathing becomes labored and wheezy, and the dog gradually sinks. 



The causes are poor food, exhaustive demands on stud dogs, excessive secretion 

 of milk, and allowing bitches to suckle puppies too long. Anaemia may also be the 

 result of some other disease impoverishing the system, and it is not infrequently 

 a consequence of the dog harboring worms. Give in small quantities and frequently 

 the most nourishing foods milk, flesh, broths, etc. pepsin porci to assist digestion, 

 and wine of iron or syrup of phosphates as a tonic. Sergeant's, Clayton's, or 

 Dent's condition pills are a good tonic. At the same time see that the dog is warmly 

 housed and that he gets plenty of sunlight and fresh air. 



ABSCESS, Pus or matter forming in or among the tissues is abscess. It may 

 be due to a blow, an accident, or caused by local or general inflammation. A bitch 

 may, after whelping, have one of the teats dammed up, which gives rise to local 

 inflammation, which would end in abscess. There is unusual heat of the parts while 

 the abscess is forming; a hard lump at first, but as the matter forms this becomes 

 softer, and is movable under pressure of the hand. Should it form very siowly, 

 hasten its formation by hot fomentations, which must be used continually for some 

 time, and afterwards cover the parts to prevent reaction from cold air. If you can 

 keep a poultice on the part this is very useful. Get from your druggist a piece of 

 spongia piline. saturate it with warm water and apply with the waterproof side out. 

 When the under part of the abscess is soft and moves readily under pressure, it is 

 ready for opening. To open it take the lancet between finger and thumb and plunge 

 it well into the center, making a clean downward cut to insure good drainage; press 

 out the matter, bathe with warm water and keep it clean, which, in most cases, will 

 be kept so by the dog's tongue if on part of body where he can reach it. If not, then 

 apply Peroxyde of Hydrogen three or four times a day. 



In cases where the abscess is deep-seated, the veterinary surgeon alone should 

 use the knife. A light and nutritious diet should be given, and in many cases no 

 medicine is required, but a mild purge can be given when it is forming. Should 

 dog be much reduced and his appetite impaired after an abscess a short treatment 

 of Sergeant's or Clayton' Condition Pills will do a lot or good. Abscesses forming 

 !n lung disease would discharge the matter through the nose, also be coughed up, 

 while in the uterus it would be by the vagina. Other internal organs may be the 

 eeat of abscess??, but none of these cases can be treated by the amateur, but 

 should be intrusted to the veterinary surgeon. 



