Symptoms of Articular Rheum-atism, in Dogs. 557 



the nearly microscopic worms in the stools, and is independent of 

 arthritis. 



Muscular rheumatism leads to atrophy of the muscles, especially 

 those of the quarters, and this may resemble, somewhat, partial 

 paraplegia from disease of the spinal cord. Its connection with 

 arthritis, its tendency to shift from place to place, to undergo 

 ameliorations and relapses, and its exquisite tenderness, serve to 

 distinguish it from paralysis. 



SYMPTOMS OF ARTICUI.AR RHEUMATISM IN 

 THE DOG. 



Articular rheumatism rare. Fenioro- tibial joints, bilateral, remissions 

 Exudation, swelling of joint ; muscular atrophy, weakness, swaying, stagger- 

 ing, falling, paresis. Chronic, muscular rheumatism common, back, loins, 

 neck, general, stiff, painful movement, decubitus, muscles tender, yelps, 

 stiff neck, wry-neck. Masseteric. Painful defecation and urination. 

 Metastasis. Cardiac symptoms. Pleurodynia. Digestive troubles. Emaci- 

 ation, weakness, atony, paraplegia. Diagnosis from strongylus, stephan- 

 urus, and cysticerus. 



This affection seems to be rare in the dog. What is known as 

 rheumatism in this animal, consists in an inflammation with hy- 

 perplasia around the articular ends of the long bones, the new 

 material being partly fibrous and partly calcified. It shows a 

 special predilection for the femoro-tibial joint and confines itself 

 mainly to the inner side of the head of the tibia. Here the swell- 

 ing may reach the size of a walnut. The whole head of the 

 tibia and lower end of the femur are however often involved, en- 

 tailing a general enlargement of the joint. It follows the general 

 rule of rheumatism in usually attacking both stifle joints at once, 

 and also in alternate ameliorations and relapses. I^ess frequently 

 other joints are_affected. In all such cases the joints become over- 

 distended and swollen, partly by synovia, and partly by surround- 

 ing exudate, the muscles of the quarter and thigh become atonic, 

 soft and flaccid, and are steadily atrophied. The dog shows a 

 lack of strength in the hind parts, swaying, staggering or even 

 falling, and advancing to a marked paresis. The malady follows 

 a chronic course, lasting for months, a year, or more. 



