138 EVERYTHING ABOUT DOGS. 



"The virus can be communicated from one animal to another, and transmis- 

 sion by cohabitation Is more easily effected than by inoculation. 



"The germ has great vitality and great power of resistance. It may undergo 

 dessication in the air and still retain its virulence. It can exist a long time 

 outside the body without destruction, and communicate the disease when brought 

 into contact with susceptible individuals. 



"It has been found that the virulent properties of the germ are not lost in any 

 degree when dried at a normal temperature, or when exposed to a temperature 

 of 20 degrees Centigrade, but does lose some of its power if preserved in a dry 

 state and kept for any length of time. 



"Under proper conditions the poison of distemper can reproduce itself without 

 limit. 



"The blood of the affected animal has been found to be contagious; also the 

 secretioim from the eyes and nse. 



"Vaccination of young animals by means of the secretory fluid from animals 

 affected with the disease has been tried and has produced the disease artificially. 

 The disease when produced from vaccination generally runs a mild course. The 

 liability of dogs to contract distemper is not the same at all ages, and under all 

 circumstances and conditions. Old dogs have a greater chance of escape, this 

 being more a disease of youth. Young- animals generally contract the disease in 

 the course of their first year. Sometimes whole litters of puppies being carried 

 off by it. Some animals seem to possess immunity from the malady, and one 

 attack successfully overcome produces immunity from another. In very rare 

 cases there are exceptions to this rule. Distemper is found in all localities, and at 

 all seasons, in the country it may be more rife at some seasons than others, but in 

 large cities it exists permanently. 



"PKEDISPOSJNG CAUSES. In distemper, as in all similar diseases, there are 

 predisposing causes. Anything that weakens the constitution, or 'that tends to 

 debilitate, or lessen the animal'is resisting power would be predisposing causes. 

 An animal that has a weakened constitution inherited from the sire or da,m, from 

 any cause, for instance from in-breeding, injudicious mating, or from diseased 

 parents. We will say, then, that age, environment, condition of the constitution at 

 the time of exposure, individuality, etc., are all important. The sudden alteration 

 in the environment, like a change of weather, or of feeding, exposure to damp and 

 cold, exhaustion, a long journey, the exciting and unnatural conditions of shows 

 generally, with the crowding together of large numbers of dogs that have lived 

 under different conditions, etc., badly drained, ill-ventilated kennels with insuffi- 

 cient disenfecting and feeding, poor food or over feeding, and too little exercise, 

 are all favorable to the spread of the disease. 



"ANIMALS AFFECTED. Distemper is found in the dog, cat, fox, wolf, hyena, 

 prairie dog and monkey. 



"CLINICAL SYMPTOMS. Symptoms of canine distemper are manifold and rather 

 complicated. They involve the ocular, respiratory and digestive mucouts mem- 

 branes; also the nervous system and outer integument or skin. For the purpose of 

 description we will divide them under the following different heads: 



"SYMPTOMS OF COMMENCEMENT. The period of incubation is usually from 

 four to fourteen days. Elevation of temperature is the first symptom noticeable in 

 this disease. The next symptom that will be noticed is some disturbance in the 

 general condition. The animal will iseem to be chilly and have shivering spells, 

 the nose is hot and dry, the skin is hard and the hair becomes harsh and dry. 



