Care of the Dog 



loosen at a very early age and in spite of rigid 

 treatment are often lost prematurely. 



Ears 



The ears of dogs are subject to a very annoying 

 disease known as canker. The condition is a form 

 of eczema and is preventable, providing proper care 

 is given the animal. There is in the ear"^a normal 

 secretion of wax, yellow in color, thick and sticky 

 in consistency. Its purpose is to keep the membrane 

 oily and act as a protector. Under certain condi- 

 tions the membrane of the ear becomes inflamed 

 and the secretion more abundant and of a different 

 character. It may be thin, yellow, and sticky, or 

 mixed with pus, but ordinarily it is brownish black, 

 thin and sticky or thick and dry. The condition is 

 brought about in the same way as ordinary eczema, 

 but sometimes is due to a parasite like that causing 

 mange. If the system of the dog is out of con- 

 dition on account of improper feeding and lack of 

 exercise, if the vitality is lowered by some de- 

 bilitating disease, or if the wax of the ear has been 

 dissolved by the application of soapy water, then 

 the membranes of the ear become inflamed by the 

 presence of some irritating substance and the dis- 

 charge makes its appearance. Canker of the ear is 

 painful and irritating, and forces the dog to scratch 

 his ears so much that he often inflicts wounds on 

 the ear and adjacent skin. 



29 



