The Nome nugget., 1923-10-13
LATEST TREATMENT FOR
 DISTEMPER IN DOGS


 Examination of specimens submitt- ed to Washington by the Biological Survey Reindeer Experiment Sta tion of Nome, relative to the dis tempter epidemic among dogs exper- fenced last winter indicate an acute disease. A report on the matter by the Bureau of Animal Industry to the Biological Survey is recently at hand and the main gist of it is as follows:
 If distempter has not been pre- valent in Alaska the sudden intro duction of the virus would un- doubtedly cause an outbreak of very severe and fatal type. It is known that dogs in whose native country the malady is unknown rarely survive when subjected to the infection.
 The only means at present known for avoiding distemper infection is 60 prevent exposure of young sus ceptible animals to the infection. Vaccines and serums now prepared by the various biological products firms can not be said to be sure preventives, although they do ap- pear to lessen the gravity of an at- tack and sometimes prevent serious complications. The sleeping quar- ters should be kept clean at all ! times and may be disinfected oc- casionally with a 3Go. cresol com pound solution or 5qs carbolic acid solution.
 Once an outbreak occurs the treat ment is largely symptomatic. and is usually attended with considerable difficulty. The animal should be provided with clean and comfortable bedding in a room or kennel where there are no draughts or appreci- able changes of temperature. In damp or chilly weather the puppy might be wrapped in woolen cloths, although this must not hamper the freedom of the animals movements. A moderate amount of exercise should neither be discouraged nor enforced.
 Next in importance to hygiene is the diet of the patient. For the duration of the fever. probably straight ration of milk would be best. After the fever subsidies there may be added egg albumen. beef tea and later small quantities of minced raw beef. There should at no time be sudden change or | abrupt increase in the character or amount of the food given, always bearing in mind that there is more danger in overfeeding than in un- derfeeding the sick dogs. Fever may be treated by the use of aspirin, phenacetin or quinine in appropriate doses according to size of animal. Diarrhea may some times be checked by the use of boil ed milk as a diet. Should the con
 dition persist you may administer salol or bismuth subnitrate. grains each, suspended in lime water, at
 intervals of four hours. Paregoric or fluid extract of plum may be jud- icially employed in this connection, as well as for allaying the nausea. lAccumulations of moccus secretions should frequently be sponged away from the nostriis. which should then be anointed with vaseline. Cough ing and difficult breathing should be treated, and the inhalation of the vapors of camphor and turpentine in hot water. The internal admin istration of an emulsion of oil of eucalyptus Is also very eficient. Regardless of the care and treat ment afforded the patient. this dis ease must be allowed to run its course. The best that veterinary science must be allowed to do is to assist nature by surrounding the animal with the most favorable en- vironment and possibly ward on ser ious complications. eliminating which the animal should make good recovery.
 !