PNEUMONIA. 43 
The first stage of pneumonia‘generally lasts nearly two days, but it may be 
shorter or longer. Usually the first symptom to attract attention is shivering ; and 
this often persists for several hours. Soon there is apparent a change in demeanor, 
the victim being decidedly dull and sluggish, and inclined to keep near the fire 
if quartered in the house and the weather is cold; while if in his kennel and 
called, he comes rather reluctantly, also walks hesitatingly and stiffly. In the 
course of two or three hours his nose is warm, and likely hot and dry ; his eyes 
somewhat bloodshot; pulse rapid and scarcely below 130; and if the hand be 
placed between the fore leg and chest, as high as possible, there is no mistaking 
that he has fever; while if a thermometer is used, it stands near 105° F., and may 
be as high as 106.° 
Thus far his symptoms are merely indicative of a cold; but by the following 
day, if not before, chest trouble is quite evident, for his breathing has quickened, 
and there is a short, dry cough at occasional intervals. The expression has also 
changed; and whereas at first it seemed dull merely, it is now anxious, and it 
plainly tells that the poor dog is really quite ill. This impression is strength- 
ened when solid food is offered him and rejected. But liquids, like milk, he will 
generally drink, and with evident thirst. 
Very likely for twenty-four hours more there is no great change in his symp- 
toms. They certainly do not improve, and if anything increase in severity. But 
that period having passed and the second stage entered, evidence that the lungs 
are affected is much stronger. The breathing is decidedly more affected. The 
patient is also restless and seems unable to find a comfortable position. The 
cough is more frequent, but its character continues much the same. The fever 
is still high, although it may, possibly, have lessened slightly, and the pulse con- 
tinuesrapid. Appetite is totally wanting. The patient will take fluids, however; 
but although evidently thirsty, he laps sluggishly, halting to “catch his breath ” 
each time that he does so. 
The stage of the disease he is now in, consolidation, as a rule, lasts from 
three to seven days; and until he has passed it, change for the better is not likely 
to be noticed, that is, if the attack is very severe. The fever, however, in many 
instances soon declines a little, but rarely falls below 103°. The pulse, on the 
other hand, seldom falls during this stage, and usually gains somewhat in rapid- 
ity, ranging from 130 to 160. The difficulty in breathing continues, and gener- 
ally increases perceptibly, while all other signs of distress are more and more 
pronounced as each day passes. The patient may lie down, but only for a mo- 
ment, because breathing is more difficult when he is in that position, and much 
of the time he sits on his haunches, with fore legs as widely apart as possible. 
His eyes grow more and more bloodshot each day, and there forms in them a 
secretion which flows over and dries, glueing the lids at the corners and the hairs 
beneath. Except he drops into a doze, when he nods and wakes with a jerk, 
his head is extended. His mouth is seldom closed for more than an instant, 
