The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1915-12-24
Black Tongue of Dogs.


which is apparently peculiar to the
Southern States, results In q heavy
mortality among dogs in that section.
Many valuable hunting dogs have been
lost from this cause. Recent reports
indicate its occurrence in Alabama,
Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana,
Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas,
Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
AS the name indicates, there is an in
famed and swollen condition of the
tongue, which may assume dark color.
Such inflammation is not confined to the
tongue, but may involve the membranes
of the mouth generally, and extend to
the throat, causing great difficulty in
swallowing, In fact, usually the first
symptoms observed by owners of affect
ed dogs are the profuse flow of saliva
from the mouth, disinclination to masti-
cate food, and difficulty in swallowing.
The breath becomes offensive, the
animal is more or less feverish, and as
the disease progresses, he becomes
greatly prostrated, this condition of
weakness being aggravated through in
ability of the dog to take. nourishment.
Various investigatorshsss considered
the disease identical with the so-calIed
typhus of dogs as occurring in Europe;
others have attributed it to the eating
Of putrid carcasses in the field, believ-
ing that infection takes place through
wounds in the mouth from eating bones
with sharp points. AS the germ of
necrosis has been found in the mouth in
certain of these cases, it has been as
sumed by some that it may be q
necrotic condition. At least one investi-
gator, who has studied the trouble, is
of the opinion that II may be a result
of infestation with hookworms, and is
reported to have been successful in the |
treatment Of black tongue by the ad-
ministrstion Of full doses of thymol,
followed by purgative dose of epson
salts. The true nature of black tongue.
however, has never been determined,
and further research will be necessary to
establish its cause.
In majority of cases the disease
terminates in death. and treatment ap-
pears to be of little avail except when
applied in the very early stages.
Various methods of treatment have
been employed. According to special
lists of the United States Department
of Agriculture, it appears that the best
results are obtained by the prompt use
of disinfectants in the mouth of the
affected animal before the disease has
advanced to any appreciable extent.
For this purpose one ounce of "alkaline
antiseptic, which is Listed in the Ma
tional Formulary of the American
Pharmaceutical Association, and can be
procured from druggist, may be added
to two ounces of distilled water, the
resulting mixture to be sprayed into
mouth with small syringe.
Washing Of the mouth with ssolution
of potassium permangsnste. / part to
500 parts of water. three times daily
may also prove beneficial.
An offensive diarrhea Is frequently
associated with the disease. and to re-
lieve this condition It is advisable to
5-grain doses Of salol times
daily, or zinc-sulphocarbolste in doses
Of from to 20 grains several times
daily. u
If the dog is unable to eat, amixture
of egg and milk should be given at
east twice daily, by pouring 1t into the
mouth.
In view Of the possible infectious
nature of the disease. prompt removal
If an affected dog from other CANNES
md careful and frequent disinfection
If the kennels is recommended.
Methods of disinfection are described
n Farmers Bulletin 4SC, Practical
of Disinfecting Stables" This
bulletin can be obtained free of charge
~ applying to the Editor and Chief,
Division of Publications, United States
of Agriculture.
A Florida veterinarian, experienced
n treating this disease, believes that
10 drops of nitro-muriatic acid added to
,ne-half pint Of water, and given as
The exclusive water drink Of dogs, tends
10 prevent the affection and also has
some value as a curative agent. As
the acid has some disinfecting proper
ties, and acts as an aid to digestion, it
IS not improbable that its use as sug-
yested may be an advantage in dog
kennels in areas where black tongue is
prevalent.
Serums. including diphtheria antitox-
in, have been administered in cases of
this disease, but without satisfactory
and until some causative germ
is discovered or the true nature of the
disease is understood there can be no
reliance upon preventive or curative
agents Of this kind. Department of
Washington d. c.