72 The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 



Treatment. — I agree with Mr. Youatt that "a dog should 

 never be suffered to remain costive more than a couple of 

 ■days," after the expiration of which we should first of all 

 endeavour to remove the impaction with warm-water injec- 

 tion. If the faecal matter is considerable and unusually- 

 hard, the finger, previously oiled, should be gently insinuated, 

 and the mass therewith broken down, when, followed by 

 the enema, evacuation will generally take place. A mild 

 dose of castor-oil may be afterwards administered ; this, 

 however, is not often called for, and the frequent use of 

 purgatives has a tendency rather to produce than remove 

 constipation. 



Diet. — The recurrence of constipation may be avoided by 

 judicious feeding. Dogs fed on oatmeal porridge occasion- 

 ally mixed with paunch, potatoes, or green vegetables 

 rarely suffer from it. Daily exercise, if only for a short 

 time, is also essential. 



DIARRHCEA, 

 Or the profuse evacuation of liquid faeces, is an alvine con- 

 dition to which dogs of all ages," but more particularly pup- 

 pies, are very liable. 



Causes. — Pre-existing intestinal disease, putrid and indi- 

 gestible food, undigested matter, acrid bile, worms, conges- 

 tion or inflammation of the mucous membrane of the 

 bowels ; abuse of purgatives, particularly aloes and 

 calomel ; sudden change of diet, especially from plain to 

 rich food ; excess of animal matter. Diarrhoea is fre- 

 quently associated with distemper; for further information 

 regarding this connection, see " Distemper." Badly drained 

 kennels and accumulation of filth are also fruitful causes. 

 Sucking puppies are often affected through the milk being 

 too rich and stimulating, and creating acidity. 



Treatment. — The treatment of diarrhoea in its early stage 

 is exceedingly simple. A mild dose of castor-oil, to remove 

 the irritant, and bland mucilaginous food without solids 



