572 ACUTE GENERAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES 



pustular eruption becomes extensive the body gives off a 

 peculiar, offensive, sweetish odor. Healing of the pustules 

 takes place usually in about six to eight days, leaving bright 

 pigmented, reddish spots, which remain for several weeks. 

 In some cases the pustular form of distemper may spread, 

 the 'pustules become confluent, forming a scabby eczema, 

 which may be localized around the eyes, over the abdomen, 

 or thighs, or it may be general over the entire body. Com- 

 plications, such as septicemia and septicopyemia develop 

 occasionally from this form of the disease. When the 

 pustular eruption forms around the margin of the lips, it 

 often spreads rapidly to the mucosa producing a severe 

 gangrenous stomatitis. Involvement of the external ear 

 in the form of an otitis is observed in a large number of 

 cases. This is characterized bj r a thin fluid secretion, which 

 accumulates on the surface of the ear, dries and forms a 

 yellowish-brown crust or scales. 



7. General Symptoms.— The initial high temperature is 

 usually followed by a remittent or subnormal temperature. 

 Some cases do not show much abnormality in temperature. 

 Normal temperature in this disease, when other marked 

 symptoms are present, does not always indicate a favorable 

 termination. As the disease progresses the animal becomes 

 emaciated, weak, and the action of the heart is more or less 

 disturbed, depending upon the severity of the case. The 

 mucous membranes are pale, the patient becomes very 

 weak, staggers or retains a recumbent position. 



Diagnosis.— During the early stages of distemper it pre- 

 sents some difficulty. It becomes necessary to decide 

 whether we have distemper to deal with, or the beginning 

 of some other condition, such as catarrhal inflammation of 

 the eyes, nose, lungs, stomach or bowels. An accurate 

 diagnosis cannot always be made during the early stages of 

 the disease. Just as soon, however, as there appear symp- 

 toms of general depression, high temperature, the implica- 

 tion of several organs, especially in a young dog, distemper 

 should be suspected. Should skin pustules be present they 

 will assist materially in making the diagnosis. 



In catarrhal inflammation of the bowels there is usually 



