82 DOGS 



ofttimes there are fainting or convulsive fits, or even 

 vertigo or simple syncope. Worms are not the only 

 cause of fits ; irritation and constipation are predisposing 

 causes, and sometimes they emanate from disease of the 

 brain or spinal cord. Some dogs are esjoecially nervous 

 and are frightened into fits. A sharp word, or a stranger's 

 approach, may bring on excitement. When the dog is in 

 a fit, remove the collar (if it wears one) at once, and it 

 should be held tightly with a dark cloth over its head ; and 

 when it becomes quiet, remove the cloth, wash the nose 

 and mouth with water, administer a very little weak brandy 

 and water, then place it in some dark quiet place for a few 

 hours, giving it, according to its size, one to three bryonia 

 pills to keep the bowels right. In pure epileptic fits 

 there is generally frothing at the mouth, great champing of 

 the jaws, and the whole body writhes and struggles. These 

 fits come on quite suddenly, and last from a few minutes 

 to half an hour, and in these attacks, always act as I have 

 described as regards holding it and keeping in the dark 

 and administer three times a day, if a large dog, 10 grs. 

 of bromide of soda in watery keep very quiet, but give a little 

 gentle exercise in the evening, and feed on soup with a 

 little bread in it. For small dogs, the bromide must be 

 given according to size ; 5 grs. of bromide in a table- 

 spoonful of water daily for a medium-sized dog ; if they 

 have a cough give bryonia. 



Indigestion, ov Dyspepsia 



Dogs, like human beings, are very subject to this 

 complaint, the cause of which generally comes from over- 

 feeding, or else too long a time between their meals, and 

 sometimes from unsuitable food and loss of teeth. The 

 symptoms are flatulency, constipation, diarrhoea, and ful- 

 ness of the stomach. If over-feeding is the cause, starve 

 for a couple of days, and then give a small simple meal and 

 administer one of Kirby's rhubarb pills. If from want of 



