Dogs are subject to epileptic fits, which are often attended with convulsions. They attack dogs of all ages, and under every variety of management. Dogs that are apparently healthy are often suddenly attacked. The nervous system of the dog is very susceptible to external agents; hence whatever raises any strong pa.s.sion in them often produces fits. Pointers and setters have often been known to suffer an attack during the excitement of the chase. Fear will also produce fits; and b.i.t.c.hes, while suckling, if burdened with a number of pups, and not having a sufficiency of nutriment to support the lacteal secretion, often die in convulsive fits. Young puppies, while teething, are subject to fits: simply scarifying their gums will generally give temporary relief. Lastly, fits may be hereditary, or they may be caused by derangement of the stomach. In all cases of fits, it is very necessary, in order to treat them with success, that we endeavor, as far as possible, to ascertain the causes, and remove them as far as lies in our power: this accomplished, the cure is much easier.
_Treatment._--Whenever the attack is sudden and violent, and the animal is in good flesh, plunge him into a tub of warm water, and give an injection of the same, to which a tea-spoonful of salt may be added. It is very difficult, in fact improper, to give medicine during the fit; but as soon as it is over, give
Manna, 1 tea-spoonful.
Common salt, half a tea-spoonful.
Add a small quant.i.ty of water, and give it at a dose.
_Another._
Make an infusion of mullein leaves, and give to the amount of a wine-gla.s.s every four hours. With a view of preventing a recurrence of fits, keep the animal on a vegetable diet. If the bowels are constipated, give thirty grains of extract of b.u.t.ternut, or, if that cannot be readily procured, subst.i.tute an infusion of senna and manna, to which a few caraways may be added.
If the nervous system is deranged, which may be known by the irritability attending it, then give a tea-spoonful of the powdered nervine, (lady"s slipper.) The diet must consist of boiled articles, and the animal must be allowed to take exercise.
WORMS.
Worms may proceed from various causes; but they are seldom found in healthy dogs. One of the princ.i.p.al causes is debility in the digestive organs.
_Indications of Cure._--To tone up the stomach and other organs,--by which means the food is prevented from running into fermentation,--and administer vermifuges. The following are good examples:--
Oil of wormseed, 1 tea-spoonful.
Powdered a.s.safoetida, 30 grains.
To be given every morning, fasting. Two doses will generally suffice.
_Another._
Powdered mandrake, half a table-spoonful.
" Virginia snakeroot, 1 tea-spoonful.
Divide into four doses, and give one every night, in honey.
_Another._
Make an infusion of the sweet fern, (_comptonea asplenifolia_,) and give an occasional drink, followed by an injection of the same.
_Another._
Powdered golden seal, half a table-spoonful.
Common brown soap, 1 ounce.
Rub them well together in a mortar, and form the ma.s.s into pills about the size of a hazel-nut, and give one every night.
MANGE.
This disease is too well known to need any description. The following are deemed the best cures:--
_External Application for Mange._
Powdered charcoal, half a table-spoonful.
" sulphur, 1 ounce.
Soft soap sufficient to form an ointment.
To be applied externally for three successive days; at the end of which time, the animal is to be washed with castile soap and warm water, and afterwards wiped dry.
The internal remedies consist of equal parts of sulphur and cream of tartar, half a tea-spoonful of which may be given daily, in honey.
When the disease becomes obstinate, and large, scabby eruptions appear on various parts of the body, take
Pyroligneous acid, 2 ounces.
Water, 1 pint.
Wash the parts daily, and keep the animal on a light diet.
INTERNAL ABSCESS OF THE EAR.
In this complaint, the affected side is generally turned downwards, and the dog is continually shaking his head.
_Treatment._--In the early stages, foment the part twice a day with an infusion of marshmallows. As soon as the abscess breaks, wash with an infusion of raspberry leaves, and if a watery discharge continues, wash with an infusion of white oak bark.
ULCERATION OF THE EAR.
External ulcerations should be washed twice a day with
Pyroligneous acid, 2 ounces.
Water, 8 ounces.
Mix.
As soon as the ulcerations a.s.sume a healthy appearance, touch them with Turlington"s balsam or tincture of gum catechu.