The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1884-11-22
DISEASES OF CATS.
Troubles to Which Household Tabbies are
Subject, and How to Cure Them

Troubles to Which Household Tabbies are
Subject, and How to Cure Them.
DR.. Edwin M. Hale, of Chicago. to
whom we are indebted for the follow
ing information concerning the diseases
of cats, says that cats are subject to
nearly as many diseases as the human
race. But while the diseases of nearly
all other animals have been studied
with great care. those of the cat have
been neglected, except by few adj
mirers OF that animal. Yet there are
thousands of people who would highly
value any practical information in order
that they might save the life or health
of loved pet or valuable mouser. Cats
soon show when they are i'll. Almost
the first symptom is neglect OF their
usual toilet. A cat which neglects to
wash and clean itself is surely Ill.
Another prominent symptom is rough
condition of the fur. The hair is no
longer smooth and glossy, but appears
to stand out straight from the skin. A
hot nose is a pretty sure sign that cat
| is feverish or has some Inflammation
| somewhere. We will enumerate few
| of the disorders of cats in the order OF
their frequency, and suggest briefly the
treatment adopted by others, together
with our own experience.
Commissions, Fias.-Amongt the causes
of fits the principal is overlooking with
meat, especially when young. Cats
should have but small quantity Of
meat once a day The best diet for a
cat under year old is milk, oatmeal and
milk. or plain bread and milk. Fits are
generally of such short duration thai
but little can be done for instant relief
If they last more than a minute, whit
of chloroform or ether of ammonia ma.
do good To prevent cat from run
ming into the fire, or injuring furniture
or ornaments, throw a shawl or shee
over it. and hold it quiet. The pre-
ventive or after-treatment is most I'm
portant. The diet must be CAREFUL,
watched. If the cat is fat, put it on low
! diet; if poor and lean, give it milk an
a little raw meat regularly twice day
If the fits are caused by worms, Civ
santonin (one-tenth of grain in mil
every three or four hours) for sewers
+: days. If the cat is poor and scrawny
give half tea-spoonful OF cod-liver o
!; three times day.
D Cats often have attacks of deliriun
which may be mistaken for fits. 1t
discovered with staring eyes, bristlin
fur, rushing here and there in franti
manner, and ends by plunging into
\ dark corner, mewing piteously. Put o
thick pair of gloves, grasp the CT
firmly by the nape of the neck. wrap
shawl round the body, then with pa
of sharp scissors clip or slit one OF tt
! ears slightly in the thin part, and wit
a sponge or rag wet it with warm watt
to increase the flow of blood; a fe
drops will give relief. Put the cat the
into a cool, quiet place, and allow 1t
n remain undisturbed for several hour
- or all day. When cats are teething tn
n delirium often occurs. Feed with war
milk, not cream, and sparingly, for
! few days.
Give cats plenty of water to dril
and grass to eat. A lady writer on ca
says: Cats will never prosper witho
Y grass to eat. 1t is with them panac
for nearly all ills. They eat it to ke
the stomach in good order. 1t coo
= the blood, prevents humors and al
u digestion.
1t is supposed that eating grass hel
the cat to get rid of the hair which
N swallows in the process of washin
70 which tends to form hard balls and
10 terfere with digestion, causing few
W fits, vomiting and dysentery. The gr;
p acts as lubricant like castor-oil.
Apoplery.-If a cat suddenly !
comes stupid, sleeps heavily and c
not be reused, and breathes with
snore, it has apoplexy. Bleed from
z. ear and give one-tenth drop OF opr
Qaudanum) every half-hour.
see For infamed eyes apply locally WIS
of weak borax and water, or
!. grains of alum or sulphate of zinc t.
teacupful of water. After catchl
!, cold, cats will sneeze and show all
!. symptoms of influenza. They may hi
sore throat, with dyptheritic symptol
which they catch from children SO
! fected Wrap the throat in flannel
with casmoline and give few grains
sulphite of soda in water.
Fat meat, too much liver OF oyst
NAV cause diarrhea, which will 81
> reduce the cat to skeleton and enc
dysentery and death. A few grain
bismuth will often arrest it.
Z Some physicians pretend to take
Z tense if asked to prescribe for ca
other animal, but none need feel any |
of dignity in doing a humane act.
z physician has no moral or human ri
= to ref,lse to prescribe. Hdrper'S Bd;