CHAPTER VI. 

 DISEASES OF THE LIVER AND SPLEEN. 



HEPATITIS, CANCEROUS DEPOSIT IN THE 



JAUNDICE, LIVER AND SPLEEN, 



FATTY DEGENERA- BILIARY CALCULI, 

 TION OF THE LIVER SPLENITIS. 



HEPATITIS, 

 Or inflammation of the liver, may be acute or chronic. 



ACUTE. 

 Predisposing Causes. — Overfeeding, with insufficient 

 exercise, especially in pampered house pets. 



Exciting Causes. — Exposure to damp and cold, intense 

 heat, immoderate use of emetics, biliary concretions,, acrid 

 bile, external violence over the region of the liver, as 

 blows, kicks, falls, or crushes. 



Symptoms. — Pain on the right side, increased by pressure, 

 quickened respiration, dry cough, pulse hard and fluctuat- 

 ing, rigors and vomiting. ,As the complaint proceeds, the 

 skin and visible mucous membranes become yellow, the 

 faeces pale, either relaxed or confined, urine scanty and of 

 a deep orange tint ; bile is mingled with the vomit, the 

 tenderness on the right side is increased, and a considerable: 

 enlargement is observable in the region of the liver ; the 

 abdomen is more or less pendulous, the eyes dull, tongue 

 coated with brown fur, gums congested, breath foetid ; and 

 attendant on these symptoms we have great thirst, loss oi' 

 appetite, flatulency, and rapid emaciation. 



Acute hepatitis may terminate in resolution or abscess, 

 or become chronic. 

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