The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-10-26
"OUR FAITHF UL FRIENDS"
A Chapter About Dogs aud Their All
ments by DIR. Watts.

Boston Herald.
DR.. Al Watts-whose efforts in behalf
OF dogs, by calling attention to their va
rious diseases and the proper treatment
ofthe same, are to be highly commended
not only for the good which has re-
suited among owners of these fayorite
companions, but for the efficient aid
rendered to the society for the pre-
vention of cruelty to animals-a society
the moral growth and influence of which
have been of great service in the COM
munity-has issued another paper on
"Distemper in Dogs" from which, be-
lieving ii will be interesting to many,
the following extracts are made:
dogs as well as other animals
have diseases akin to the human
family, and must be subjected to similar
treatment as regards medicine; differing,
corrective to the one. in some cases
tends to an opposite effect in the other.
Catarrh, bronchitis, consumption, pneu-
monla, Inflammation Of the stomach, liv-
er kidney, iauLdice ,d:opsy ,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 q common cold, ,inhamm ton of the
lungs or bowels, assumes a 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 ephem-
eral fever. and brings on chilliness,
eth increased surface heat, quick pull g
and hurried breathing. Dogs of all ages,
from 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 sec
ond time (then generally in milder
lorm) and recover; but for want of prop
er treatment, which is too often the
case. he is 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 distemper. 1t is undoubt-
| edly contagious and epidemic, occurring
mostly in spring and autumn, and may
be communicated by even one dog over
an entire district. Strange to say, the
most valuable animals suffer most from
this disorder, the cur being il! but one
or two days. A dog in an advanced
| VI
! to gnaw at or bite any thing within
reach, and is frequently subject to epi-
leptic fits and successive convulsive
spasms of the muscles. Other and dli-
| ferent description of fits then ensue.
He staggers, tumbles, lolls. 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 hydrophouia. when. in
lact, there is no resemblance between
the two. This distemper in dogs is not
| by bite or otherwise communicable to
man, and it is to be regretted there
should be so little understanding shown
in this particular. Any unusual behav-
ior in the dog should be inquired into
as In the case ofa child, and especially
if the dog suffers from a cold or nasal
catarrh, as distemper generally COM
mences in the nasal mem
brane. The treatment would, of course,
vary with the different breeds and ac-
cording to the age or size ol the animal !;
but it is always proper on discovering
the symptoms to give an emetic, say,
equal parts of calomel and tartar emetic,
or if that is not obtainable, common
salt will be found servceable. Ths next
thing to be done is to keep the dog we'll
bedded, next frequent change, good
ventllation,fr free from draft and improve
ment may be expected. Should the
dog grow worse, which is probable, and
his owner is solicitious for his welfare, q
competent physician should be consul.
ted without delay, as the advance ol
distemper is go rapid in most cases as to
preclude all. l.chance of recovery"
Il