Medical Care 



and inhale some of the oil, for if it should get into 

 the lungs it will set up a violent, if not fatal, pneu- 

 monia. After giving oil, no water or food should 

 be allowed for several hours since vomiting would 

 be induced and the action of the oil lost. Some 

 dogs cannot stand castor oil and immediately vomit 

 it. In these cases it is better to use some other 

 purgative, but if the oil must be administered it 

 should be in small and repeated doses^ When giv- 

 ing any of the salines such as epsom salts, citrate 

 of magnesia, or milk of magnesia, water will aid 

 their action and should be given freely, unless the 

 dog is vomiting. 



No medicines containing carbolic acid, mercury, 

 arsenic, or strychnine should be given, except under 

 a doctor's direction, and when these or any other 

 strong remedies are used the:y should be stopped 

 immediately if the bowels or kidneys fail to function. 



Rectal. — Treatment is given through the rectum 

 to relieve constipation and remove foreign bodies, 

 to overcome inflammation of the rectum and anus 

 and to administer food. The principal means are 

 enemas and suppositories. 



Enemas. — ^An enema to relieve constipation is 

 prepared by dissolving Castile soap in hot water, to 

 which a little glycerin may be added. Sometimes 

 castor or mineral oils are used. The amount to be 

 given depends on the size of the dog; in toys and 

 puppies, one to four ounces is sufficient, while in 

 large dogs, as much as a pint may be given. For 



