Medical Care 



loss, but with strong drugs it is better that the dog 

 get the small dose rather than take the chance of 

 an overdose. 



Tablets. — In giving capsules or tablets the man- 

 ner of holding the mouth for receiving the medi- 

 cine is slightly different. Grasp the upper jaw 

 from above with the thumb and forefinger of the 

 left hand and press the cheeks against the gums 

 just back of the comer teeth; this will force the 

 mouth open. The tablet is then placed as far back 

 on the tongue as possible and after quickly with- 

 drawing the hand, the mouth is tightly and rapidly 

 closed. The jaws are held shut to prevent the dog 

 from chewing or working the tablet forward with 

 his tongue. After he has swallowed a couple of 

 times examine the mouth to be sure he has the 

 medicine. The tablet may be put in the mouth with 

 the fingers, a pair of thumb forceps or a spoon. 

 The spoon, which is more universally used in the 

 house, must have a handle which curves upwards, 

 otherwise the tablet will slide off too easily. Grasp 

 the spoon by the bowl and place the tablet in the 

 curve of the handle. In carrying it into the mouth 

 press down the tongue, so that the tablet will roll 

 back over its thickened portion. 



Powders. — Powders that are soluble can be dis- 

 solved in Water and given with a spoon or bottle. 

 Insoluble powders are dusted into the mouth far 

 back on the tongue. 



The most usual cause of failure in giving medi- 



35 



