CHAPTER II.—PART IV.
DISEASES OF THE HEAD AND NERVOUS SYSTEM
Apoplexy
DEFINITION.—A sudden, partial or complete loss of consciousness and power of motion, occasioned by determination of blood to the head.
CAUSES.—Pressure on the brain, from a congested state of the blood-vessels. Fat pet dogs are more subject to an attack than dogs moderately fed and allowed plenty of exercise.
SYMPTOMS.—Staggering walk, drowsiness, twitching of the muscles of the face and limbs; these are premonitary symptoms of an attack; or the fit may be sudden, when the dog falls down without power of movement, with loud and irregular breathing, and appears to be dying, but generally, after three or four hours, he gradually recovers.
TREATMENT.—The A.A., is the proper remedy, and may be given for the premonitions of an attack, a dose morning and night. If he has had the fit, give a dose at once, and repeat it again after two or three hours, and then morning and night for a time, to prevent a relapse. Dose, one to three drops, according to the size of the dog.
ACCESSORY MEANS.—Wherever the fit occurs, if possible, let the dog remain, and apply cold water to the head with sponge. After recovery takes place, care must be taken as to diet, only milk or oatmeal and water should be given for a day or two.
Palsy, Paralysis
This is not an unfrequent affection in the dog, especially those that are well fed, as pet dogs. It arises from disease of the brain or spinal cord, and is sometimes also the result of disease of the bowels or stomach.
SYMPTOMS.—It may occur in one side or part of the animal, and is most frequent in the hind legs, which appear as if the animal had no power over them; he staggers, falls, or lies on the ground, dragging his hind legs after him, unable to stand upon them.
TREATMENT.—Give the J.K., two to five drops, according to the size of the dog, three times per day.
In case it comes on suddenly in well fed dogs, from an over-feed or gorging the animal, give a spoonful of castor oil and an injection of warm soap and water, followed with the prescription above.
Epilepsy, or Fits
The dog is occasionally subject to true epilepsy, and not unfrequently to fits or convulsions arising from transient causes; such as teething in puppies, worms, want of exercise, and then too violent exercise. They are liable, also, to come on during distemper, or after it, or from disease of the brain. Small pet dogs are more subject to fits than others, as their nervous system is more excitable and their lives more artificial.
SYMPTOMS.—The fit generally comes on suddenly, the animal staggers, falls down, remains lying for an instant, and then is violently convulsed; the legs become stiff, the face distorted, the eyes roll about, the tongue is thrust out, the jaws nearly closed or firmly clenched. The convulsion becomes gradually less, and after some twitches they cease, and the animal in a short time appears well again.
In true epilepsy the fits recur again at diminishing intervals, and excitements may easily reproduce them.
TREATMENT.—Give on an attack, from whatever cause, from two to five drops, according to the size of the animal, of the A.A., and repeat it once after the paroxysm is over. This will be sufficient for fits arising from any transient cause; but if the dog is subject to them, he must have J.K., alternately with A.A., a dose every day or two, and continued for some time.
Chorea, St. Vitus’ Dance
This is a frequent result of severe distemper, especially in the case of young dogs, intestinal worms, disorders of the stomach or a weak and anemic condition seem to predispose to this disease.
SYMPTOMS.—The disease manifests itself by twitches, or involuntary jerks of various parts, as the leg, shoulder, face, neck, or even eyelids. Sometimes it is confined to a single limb or two, or the whole body may be affected. The animal has no control over them, and they are manifested sometimes during sleep. He wastes, eats and sleeps badly, and may become palsied; at last he becomes incapable of any service, staggers, has convulsions, and is at last worn out.
TREATMENT.—Give the A.A., each morning, and J.K., each night, two to five drops, according to the size of the animal, and follow the treatment perseveringly.
ACCESSORY MEASURES.—Fresh air and fattening food such as—rich milk, broth, oatmeal, meat once a day.
Rabies, Canine Madness
Much has been said upon the subject of _Rabies_, or _Canine Madness_, and from the general horror in which the disease is justly held, some consideration of it is proper, even if we do not possess the means of cure. It is an acute disease, communicable from one animal to another and from them to man. Occurring among men it is known as hydrophobia. Its origin is unknown, but it is supposed to have originated from the skunk. Formerly it was very common among the wolves and skunks of the western plains. The virus affects the nervous system of the animal. It is found in some of the secretions, chiefly in the salivary glands. The disease is communicated only by the saliva of affected animals, usually by biting. The disease may break out in from a few days to a few months after the animal has been bitten; the average time is about twenty-five days. Two principal forms of this disease have been distinguished; rabies proper, and dumb rabies.
SYMPTOMS OF RABIES PROPER.—First change noticed is in the dog’s gait in walking, either more lively and irritable than usual, or more dull and sad; peculiar restlessness; does not remain in one place; often quits his home and roams to a distance; he recognizes and obeys his master at the commencement, and even through the entire disease; generally no appetite from the commencement; some will take soup, but never solid food; they often, however, devour strange things, as wood, leather, straw, or even filth; they drink in all stages of the disease, as long as they can swallow; there is always a peculiar change of voice, more shrill or more grave, always slightly hoarse and disagreeable; the bark is peculiar, not in distinct emissions, as in health, but an emission of voice ending in a howl; the desire to bite is not constant, but comes occasionally in fits, and varying degrees; during the fits he bites everything, cats, other dogs, human beings, even his own master, or inanimate objects, and frequently snaps at the air. At first he is but little changed in appearance; but soon the eyes become red; they open and shut alternately; later, they are dull, as if covered with dust; rapid emaciation; he becomes, finally, very weak, and drags his hind quarters, while at first he is strong, carries his tail as usual, and differs not in gait from a healthy dog.
Dumb Rabies is manifested by loss of appetite, drink, voice, as in the first instance, modified thus: The lower jaw droops, apparently paralyzed from the commencement; he cannot swallow any liquid; saliva constantly flows from his mouth; the tongue often hangs from between the teeth; he bites less than in the first form; still, as there are times, when irritated, that he may close his mouth, the danger from biting is the same.
There are some popular errors, which are corrected by the following statements, thus: Dogs may become mad at any season of the year. Female and altered dogs may become mad by communication, though the disease originates, probably, with entire animals. Mad dogs drink in all stages of the disease, if the soreness of the throat, or paralysis of the jaws, or flow of saliva does not prevent them; they have even been known to swim in water. Mad dogs do not always carry the tail between the legs, but otherwise, during the commencement of the disease; it is however, common in many other diseases, and in all dogs when pursued or frightened. Mad dogs do not always run in a straight line, unless pursued; they change their direction like other dogs, and run to objects which attract them. Other dogs do not avoid them, but if a stranger, it will be attacked by well dogs. Sound animals have no repugnance to the saliva of a mad dog, but will even eat meat which is covered with it.
TREATMENT.—All the means hitherto discovered to arrest the disease have proved unreliable. BELLADONNA and the A.A., may do something, and had best be administered in all doubtful cases: but if an animal is indisputably rabid, it should be killed at once. The excision of the gland or ligament under the tongue is only mutilating the animal to no purpose.
If a dog is suspected, or has been bitten, or exposed to contagion, give him the A.A., three or four drops, according to his size, three times per day, and inject a dose of the same medicine into the wound at the same time. Only a small proportion of the animals or persons bitten by animals supposed to be rabid ever become mad.