GENERAL DISEASES. 3 15 



PLETHORA. 



Dogs highly fed and allowed but little exercise, are those 

 generally subject to excess of blood, or what is generally 

 termed full habit of body (plethoric). Fits frequently occur 

 from this condition, and are more particularly induced by the 

 injudicious adoption of rapid or violent exercise after long 

 confinement. , 



Symptoms. — A general,^ full, bloated appearance of the 

 body, mucous membranes injected, redness and heat of the 

 skin. The pulse is usually full and bounding ; bowels 

 frequently constipated ; drowsiness and indisposition to ex- 

 ertion. 



Treatment. — Depletion by medicinal agents, as occasional 

 aperients. Reduction in the quantity of food and its feeding 

 qualities. Regular exercise. 



OBESITY. 



Dogs, and some breeds more so than others, under certain 

 circumstances become inordinately fat, in other words 

 obese. The inimense accumulation of adipose tissue undoubt- 

 edly constitutes disease. At all events, such a condition is 

 abnormal. Fat takes the place of muscle ; hence what is 

 termed fatty degeneration is a disease of serious import when 

 occurring in vital organs. Some parts of the body are more 

 prone to depositions of fat than others— such as around the 

 kidneys, within the mesentery, and the heart, the latter being 

 frequently a cause of sudden death. 



Close confinement, and injudicious and excessive feeding, 

 are among the causes of obesity. Some animals, as I have 

 observed, are more predisposed to fatten than others, and 

 among this class may be mentioned spaniels, pugs, and a few 

 of the long-haired toy dogs. The first-named appear to in- 



