The Opelousas courier., 1883-12-01
About Dogs.

DOSS, DIS wei dS OGl16I dIliuld1os nave
diseases akin to the human family, and
must be subjected to similar treatment
as regards medicine; differing, how
ever, in the dose which, proving cor
reetiye to the one. in some cases tends
to ar opposite effect in the other.
Catarrh, bronchitis. consumption, pneu-
monia, Inflammation of the stomach,
liver, kidneys, jaundice, dropsy, diar-
rhoea, and many other diseases COM
mon to ourselves, are equally common
to the dog. Dogs generally. at some
time of their lives, n subject to dis
temper, in which one or more of these
diseases are prominent, and which,
being brought on by a common cold,
Inflammation of the lungs or bowels
assumes a low form, and becomes what
is known in the human family as ty-
plus fever. The first stage of distem-
per. caused by exposure to wet or
cold, is known as e%phemeral fever.
and brings on chilliness, with
increased surface heat, quick pulse and
hurried breathing. Dogs of all ages,
from a month upward, are subject to
it, but it occurs mostly before or at the
completion of the first year. A dog
may be attacked with the disease a
second time then, generally, in a
milder form) and recover, but. for
want of proper treatment, which is
too often the case, he is more likely to
die.
Distemper is also apt to occur with
out any apparent cause -as well when
dogs are kindly cared for as when neg
lected, as whatever debilitates the on
stitution will generate distemper. 1T
is undoubtedly contagious and cpl
demic. occurring mostly in spring and
autumn, and may be communicated by
even one dog over an entire district.
Strange to say, the most valuable ami
mails suffer most from this disorder,
the cur being Ill but one Or two days.
IA dog in an advanced state OF distem-
per is disposed to gnaW at or bite
anything within reach. and is fre-
quently subject to epileptic fits. and
successive conclusive spasms of the
muscles. Other and a different de-
scription Of fits then ensue. He stag.
gers, tumbles, Tolls. and, crying, tears
up the ground until he finally falls
exhausted IN this state, and showing
these symptoms. many valuable dogs
are put out Of their misery. generally
through fear Of hydrophohia. when in
fact there Is no resemblance between
the two. This distemper Is not. BY
bite or otherwise, communicable to
man, and it is to be regretted that
there should be SO little understanding
shown In this particular.
Any. unusual behavior in the dog
should be inquired into as in the case
Of 8 child. and especially if the dog
suffers from ) cold OF nasal catarrh, as
distemper generally commences IN the
nasal membrane. The treatment
would. Of course, vary with the differ
emit breeds and according TO the age Or
/ size of the animal; but u IS always
proper on discovering the symptoms to
give an emetic, say equal parts Of cal
| omel and tartar emetic. or, Il that Is
NOT obtainable, common. salt viii be
found s~erviceable. The next thing e
be done Ii ID Keep the dog wen bedded,
| with frequent change. good ventilation
free from draught, and Improvement
may be expected. Should the dog grow
worse, which Is probable, and his own
or is solIcitous for bis welfare, 9 com
petent physician should be consulted
without delay. as the advance Of dis
temper Is 80 rapid IN most cases as e
preclude all chances Of recovery.
-Bpstos pGper.