Common Diseases of Dogs 



this is supposed to be the cause of the trouble. The 

 dog is more frequently from two to three months 

 old before the symptoms of the disease appear. In 

 these cases the' dog becomes unthrifty, less lively, 

 disinclined to moving about, which he does with 

 difficulty. There is great distention of the abdomen 

 and the first evidence of trouble may be an attack 

 of indigestion. The hair is dliU and staring, the 

 skin dry and scaly, and eczema may be present, or 

 developing. The prominent signs of the disease are 

 in the bones. The legs are crooked and the joints 

 enlarged. The spine may be curved and the ribs 

 so soft that the chest may be flattened similar to 

 the human chest. In severe cases the dog shows 

 marked evidence of pain when trying to move about 

 or when being handled. As the disease progresses, 

 the attacks of indigestion are increased in frequency, 

 an intoxication of the system develops, and the dog 

 is finally thrown into convulsions. 



Prevention. — Rickets can be overcome to a great 

 extent if the puppies are fed good nutritious food 

 from the time they are weaned. The young puppies 

 must receive a liberal quantity of meat as early as 

 possible. Starchy foods and milk must be to a 

 great extent eliminated. If worms are present they 

 should be treated. The bitch when carrying her 

 litter should be given plenty of solid food. Lime 

 in the form of bone meal may be given. An abun- 

 dance of exercise and fresh air should be allowed the 



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