SYMPTOMS 509 



catarrhal pneumonia. The pneumonia can be recognized by 

 the elevation of the temperature. 



Distemper often begins, especially in anemic animals, with 

 great depression and dullness. Strong animals, however, more 

 usually exhibit symptoms of acute hyperemia of the brain, 

 such as excitement, restlessness, yelping and even attacks of 

 fury, which give way later on to manifestations of cerebral 

 pressure. Spasms frequently occur either generally or con- 

 fined to particular limbs which swing backward and forward 

 as if affected by chorea. The animal may fall down as if suf- 

 fering from epilepsy, bark, become unconscious and exhibit 

 spasms of the muscles generally. The sphincters of the anus 

 and bladder become relaxed and consequently feces and urine 

 are involuntarily passed. There is a gradual return of con- 

 sciousness which in a short time is complete and the dog 

 manages to get up, although he is very weak. Such an epi- 

 leptiform attack may pass directly into long continued coma. 



Paralysis may follow the convulsions or it may come on 

 simultaneously with them. It seldom occurs at the beginning 

 of the disease. It may be confined to certain groups of muscles, 

 as those of a limb, the whole of the hind quarters or even 

 the entire body in the form of paresis, especially of the motor 

 nerves, combined with excessive muscular weakness. The 

 sick dog staggers and his hind quarters sway from side to side 

 or he becomes incapable of supporting himself on his hind 

 legs. Frequently he knuckles on all four legs and in severe 

 cases is unable to stand. Permanent paresis of the hind quar- 

 ters with paralysis of the bladder and rectum is a frequent 

 result of distemper. In some cases there may be paralysis of 

 the muscles of the tongue. 



A characteristic pustular exanthema is frequently observed 

 on the inner surface of the thighs and abdomen and in abor- 

 tive cases it may be the only symptom of distemper. It first 

 appears in the form of minute red spots, which after twenty- 

 four hours develop into miliary nodules that are surrounded by 

 a red ring. These nodules change into vesicles and pustules 

 which may become as large as a pea or bean. They dry into 



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