116 KENNEL DISEASES. 
probable theory, however, is yet to be proved. There remains the so-called 
diphtheretic dysentery alluded to, in which the intestinal inflammation is accom- 
panied by a true diphtheretic exudation. 
Like diarrhoea, dysentery may be acute or chronic ; but the latter form is one 
of the novelties in canine practice, because the strength is generally exhausted 
before it is reached, or the inflammation has extended and involved deeper and 
more vital parts. 
Frequent, small, and bloody discharges, with straining and colicky pains, if 
not severe colic, are the most pronounced symptoms. There is usually, also, 
some fever, which, however, may be wanting at first; and then, as a rule, when 
it appears, it is slight, and slowly increases in intensity. The appetite is lessened 
or wholly lost; the nose is hot and dry; there is thirst; the tongue is coated ; 
the skin is soon dry and harsh; and the abdomen tender to the touch. 
In severe cases, unless there is considerable bloating, the back is arched, 
and the movements are stiff and evidently painful. 
If from the first the attack is dysentery, one or two discharges from the 
bowels are usually quite large and nearly natural; then follows a brief period 
of diarrhoea, and likely vomiting. Shortly the discharges are frequent and small, 
and they lose their normal character, and consist mainly of mucus, or “slime” as 
it is commonly called; blood makes its appearance in them, and it is not long 
before they acquire a very offensive odor. 
In occasional instances they are largely of mucus that has the color of wood- 
ashes, while now and then are to be seen in them thin shreds or quite large 
pieces of dead matter of dark-brown color. 
The disease progressing, mucus largely or entirely disappears from the 
discharges, which are now watery and slightly colored with blood ; or they may 
take on a resemblance to pus. The sufferer emaciates and loses strength 
rapidly; and if his disease is likely to end fatally, his feet grow cold, his skin 
clammy, and he gradually falls into a stupor from which he never arouses. 
A bone lodged in the lower part of the bowel is the one condition likely to 
be mistaken for dysentery; but that may be excluded if there is considerable 
constitutional disturbance, as fever, and the discharges do not contain blood 
of bright red color in considerable quantity and apparently fresh. 
It is not always easy to determine while yet an attack is recent whether it is 
one of diarrhoea or dysentery; but keeping in mind the fact that the former is 
far the most common, that during its earliest stages at least there is seldom, if 
ever, much straining or very severe colicky pains, and that the patients as a rule 
seem quite as well as usual, whereas in the latter pain and straining are com- 
monly present near the first of the attack, and these symptoms are attended 
with languor, impairment of appetite, thirst, and other signs indicative that quite 
severe illness is on or threatened, it ought not to be difficult to discriminate 
between these affections. 
