310 THE MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



surface. The urine seldom coagulates. This form of dropsy 

 is usually seated on the abdomen or cellular tissue." 



In addition to this principal, and what may be termed 

 abdominal symptom, there is loss of appetite and spirits, dry- 

 ness of the nose, thirst, constipation, scanty urine, quick 

 feeble pulse, and increased respiration, the latter chiefly tho- 

 racic. As the accumulation increases the breathing becomes 

 more difficult. The poor animal, to avoid suffocation by 

 pressure of the fluid on the breathing space, either assumes a 

 continual standing position, sits on its haunches, or lies on 

 its side. The enemy, however, continues to advance, and 

 suffocation terminates the case. Towards the latter stage, 

 infiltration into the areolar tissue usually takes place (an- 

 asarca). 



Treatment. — The treatment of ascites is far from satisfac- 

 tory. Bleeding, as advocated by some, for the pi:rpose of 

 unloading the veins, in which the circulation is impeded and 

 the vessels thereby congested, from compression by the 

 dropsy, is rarely admissible in so lowering a disease : where it 

 is practised, the administration of a stimulant should imme- 

 diately follow. 



Tapping is of little use in the lower animals, and is only 

 warranted in extreme cases. The secretion is more rapidly 

 renewed after the operation, and a second withdrawal may be, 

 but a third is rarely allowed by Nature. 



I have far greater faith in medicinal agents, and recom- 

 mend diuretics alternately with mineral tonics. 



Iodine, as advocated by Mr. Youatt, may be tried, and in 

 some cases, for a time, is apparently beneficial ; but when 

 given for a long period, it is apt to produce atrophy of the 

 glands and considerable constitutional debility. To avoid 

 this, it is better combined with iron, and when any such symp- 

 toms occur it should be withheld. 



The food should be of the most nourishing kind, and every 

 other measure adopted which is calculated to strengthen the 

 system, and prevent a return of the malady. 



