Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-11-24
About Dogs and Their Ailments.

logs, as well as other animals, have
diseases akin to the human family, and
must be subjected to similar treatment
as regards medicine; differing, however.
IN the dose, which, proving corrective
TO the one, in some cases tends to an
opposite effect in the other. Catarrh.
bronchitis, consumption, pneumonia.
inflammation of the stomach, liver.
Kidney, jaundice, dropsy, diarrhea and
many other diseases are common to the
dog. Dogs, generally, at some time OF
their lives, are subject to distemper, in
which one or more of these diseases are
prominent, and which, being brought
on by common cold, Inflammation of
the lungs or bowels, assumes low form
and becomes what is known in the hui
man family as typhus fever. The first
stage of distemper, caused by exposure
to wet or cold, is known as ephemeral
fever, and brings on chil1iness, with in
creased surface heat, quick pulse and
hurried breathing. Dogs of all ages.
from month upward, are subject to il,
but it occurs mostly before or at the
completion of the first year. A dog
may be attacked with she disease sec,
ond time Qthen generally in a mildcr
form) and recover; but, for want of
proper treatment, which is too often the
case, Ire Us more likely to die. Distem-
per is also apt to occur without any ap-
parent cause--as well when dogs are
kindly cared for as when neglected. as
whatever debilitates the constitution
will generate distenper. 1t is updouhc
edly contagious and epidemic, oc-
Tytrr, mo- tIx~
tumn, and may be communicated by
even cone dog over an entire district.
Strange to say, the most valuable ami
mails suffer most frem this disorder, the
cur being i'll but one or two days. A
dog iin an advanced state of distempcr is
disposed to gnaw at or bite anything
within reach, andiis frequently subject
to 'epileptic fits and successive
cOnyulsive spasns of the muscles. ]
Other and different description of fits
thon ensue. He staggers, tumbles, Tolls,
and, crying tears'up the ground. until
heltinally falls exhausted. In this state
and showing these symptoms MARY val
uable dogs are put out of their misery,
generally through fear of hydrophobia,
when, in fact, there is no resem blance
between the two. This distemper i'm
dogs is not, by bite or otherwise, COM
'municable to man, and it is to be re-
GREETED there SHOULD be so little under
standing showrlin this particular. Any j
unusual behavior in the dog should be 4
inquired into as in the case of a child, |
and especially If the dog suffers from "a
a cold or nasalscatarrh, as distemper gen.
orally commences in the nasal MEM |
brane. The treatment would, of course,
vary with the different breeds and ,ae- |
cording to the;age or size OF the animal;
but it is always proper on discovering
the symptoms.bo give an emeSic, say |
equal parts of calomel and tartar emetic,
or, if that is mot obtainable, common
salt will he found serviceabIe. Thenext |,
Thing to be dose is to keep the dog well
bedded, next frequent change, good ven
.ilation, free from draught, 'smd i'm
Drovement may be expected. Should
The dog grow worse, which is probable,
and his owner is. solicitous for his wei
Iare, competent physician should lbe
without delay, as the advance
Of distemper is SO rapid in most cases,as
% preclude all chance of recovery
Boston Herald.