Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-01-07
Black Tongue OF Dogs.
Office of Information. United States

Office of Information, United States
Department of Agriculture.
The disease known as black tongue, which
is apparently peculiar to the Southern
States. results in heavy mortality among
dogsin that section. Many valuable hunting
dogs have been lost from this cause. Recent
reports indicate its occurrence in Alabama.
Arkansas, Georgia. louisiana, Mississippi,
North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and the Dis
trict 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 affected dogs are the profuse
How of saliva from the mouth, disinclina-
ton to masticate food. and difficulty in
swallowing. The breath becomes offensive,
the animal is more or less feverish, and
as the disease progresses, he becomes
greatly Frustrated, this condition of weak
ness being aggravated through inability
OF the dog to take nourishment
Various investigators have considered
the disease identical with the so-caled
typhus of dogs as occurring in Europe
others have attributed it to the eating of
putrid carcasses in the field believing
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
n hnc haaF, oconnNad hui hot
it may be necrotic condition. At least
one investigator, who has studied the
trouble, is of the opinion that it may be
result of infestation with hookworms, and
is reported to have been successful in the
treatment of black tongue by the admins
tration OF full doses of tnymol. followed
by purgative dose Of EPSON salts. The
true nature of black tongue, however, has
never been determined. and further re-
search will be necessary to establish its
cause.
In majority of cases the disease ter
inmates in death. and treatment appears
to be of little avail except when applied
in the very early STAGES.
Various methods of treatment have been
employed. According to specialists of the
United States Department of Agriculture,
II appears that the best results are OBJ
tanned by the prompt use of disinfectants
in the mouth Of the affected animal before
the disease has advanced to any appre-
ciable extent. For this purpose one ounce
OF alkaline antiseptic," which is listed in
the National 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 the mouth with
a small syringe.
Washing of the mouth with solution of
potassium permanganate, part to 500
parts of water, three times daily may also
prove beneficial
An offensive diarrhea is frequently as
ISOLATED with the disease, and to relieve
this condition it is advisable to administer
5-grain doses of aalol times daily, or
inc-sulphocarbolat in doses of from to
20 grains several times daily.
II the dog Is unable to eat. mixture of
egg and milk should be given at least
twice daily, by pouring it into the animals
mouth.
In view of the possible infectious nature
OF the disease, prompt removal of an af-
fected dog from other CANNES and careful
and frequent disinfection of the kennels
Is recommended. Methods of disinfection
uiC uCoCliDCu III EdIiHtIb DuuCllH HOO,
Practical Methods of Disinfecting Sta
bles." This bulletin can be obtained free
Of charge by applying to the Editor and
Chief, Division of Publications, United
States Department Of Agriculture.
A Florida veterinarian, experienced in
treating this disease, believes that 10 drops
OF nitro-muriatic acid added to-half pint
Of water, and given as the exclusive water
drink Of dogs tends to prevent the affec.
ton and also has some value as cura-
tive agent. AS the acid has some dsin-
fecting properties, and acts as an aid to
digestion, 1t Is not improbable that Its use
as suggested may be an advantage in dog
kennels in areas where black tongue is
prevalent.
Serums. including diphtheria antitoxn.
have been administered in cases of this
disease. but without satisfactory results,
and until some causative germ is dis
covered or the true nature Of the disease
is understood there can be no reliance
upon preventive or curative agents Of
this kind.