568 ACUTE GENERAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES 



The acute form usually begins with a rather high tem- 

 perature (103°-106° F.) and remains elevated for several 

 days or weeks. Some eases show a marked variation in 

 temperature, beginning with a high temperature which in 

 a few days drops to normal or in some cases subnormal 

 where it remains until either recovery or death takes place. 

 In some cases due to complications the fever is remittent. 

 The owner will notice in the inception of the disease a 

 change in the disposition of the animal. Instead of being 

 lively it will be stupid, does not answer the call or obey 

 commands given it. The hair coat becomes rough, quickly 

 loses its gloss and the animal in general shows a dejected 

 appearance. On examination of the nose, it will be found 

 hot and dry; the mucosa becoming irritated induces rather 

 violent sneezing. After one or two days more pronounced 

 symptoms make their appearance. 



2. Symptoms Shown by the Eyes.— In a large number of 

 cases conjunctivitis is a prominent symptom. In the 

 early stages it begins as a serous conjunctivitis, which soon 

 becomes purulent from secondary infection. The discharge 

 from the eyes consists of a thick mucus, or whitish or yellow- 

 ish pus. This discharge is usually found collecting chiefly 

 at the inner canthus of the eye, soiling the edges of the 

 eyelids, or from the exudate drying, crusts form causing the 

 eyelids to adhere. Usually in a few days lesions and ulcers 

 appear on the cornea as a result of the irritant exudate, the 

 patient rubbing its eyes or pawing them with the forefeet, 

 or by the swelling which interferes with local nutrition. 

 These ulcers are usually small, pin-point, funnel-shaped and 

 extend downward in a straight direction; their base usually 

 covered with a pus-like material. They heal by a prolifera- 

 tion of vessels from the edges of the cornea. In some cases 

 the ulceration leads to partial perforation of the cornea, 

 with a protrusion of the Descemet's membrane, prolapsus 

 of the iris (staphyloma). The resulting cicatrization causes 

 permanent white spots on the cornea (leukoma). In other 

 cases the entire cornea becomes opaque (parenchymatous 

 keratitis) which gives the eyes the appearance of ground 

 glass. Rarely does the entire eyeball become inflamed 



