Charles James Korinek

“ Cause.—This is a symptom which shows itself in almost any disease to which the dog is subject, so extensive are the reflex influences which follow disease in a dog. This process of Vomiting can be brought about in the dog by means of many medicines, and the good effect of emetics is appreciable even to the most casual observer. This class of medicines has been much abused by those caring for sick dogs, emetics being given for any and every disease. They sometimes free the stomach of irritants and poisons which cause disease and poisoning, but their use requires care and judgment. ”

“ Many a case of supposed Hog Cholera is due to worms irritating and producing inflammation of the intestines, followed by diarrhoea. A person not familiar with the disease calls this “hog cholera.” In other cases, hogs which are fed swills from restaurants, hotels, etc., containing soap, washing powders, small particles of glass, etc., will die with symptoms leading a person to think they had Hog Cholera, but if a thorough investigation is made the true cause of death can easily be discovered. ”

“ Usually, the dog becomes dull, melancholy, etc., seeking some cool, dark and quiet place. The eyes at times are fixed, or are rolled about, and there is an abundant secretion of saliva, which dribbles from the mouth. It frequently gnaws wood, especially if tied or locked up, and makes a desperate effort to get away. It also swallows indigestible objects, and attempts to bite its master, mistress and animals. Paralysis soon develops, and the dog has difficulty in swallowing, and is unable to move about. ”

“ On examination of sheep or goats which have died of this disease, it is found that the lining membranes of the fourth stomach and intestines, particularly the small intestines, are red, swollen, streaked with deep red or blushed lines or spotted. The lining of the third stomach is more or less softened and may be easily peeled off. The third stomach contains dry, hard food masses, closely adhering to its walls. In some cases the brain appears to become affected, probably from the pain endured and weakness and absorption of poisons generated in the digestive canal. ”

“ The offspring of such a bitch are very often victims of Goiter. When the puppies are born the mother’s milk lacks sufficient nitrogenous properties; they are consequently deprived of mineral matter and develop Goiter. Some writers hold that this is hereditary, because one or more puppies become affected at the same time. I believe that it is due to debility, starvation, and what produces it in one dog will produce it in another. Although full-grown dogs are often victims of Goiters, it is due to some debilitated condition drawing on their systems. ”

“ There is also a twitching of the muscles in many cases, as in Chorea, and this disease generally follows Distemper. In other cases, the dog will lie flat on the side, breathe with great difficulty, in a half-unconscious manner. This is a very unfavorable symptom, as lung complications have developed. Constipation or diarrhoea and even dysentery that is foul in odor may accompany this disease. The dog grows very poor, weak, the legs, nose and ears grow cold and clammy, and death follows. When the above described symptoms are present, the dog generally dies in from two to four days. ”

“ In case only three or four larvae gain entrance to the sinuses of the head, they produce very little, if any, ill effects, but where they become numerous, they cause the animal to cough and sneeze continually, discharge from the nose, which is occasionally tinged with blood. The appetite becomes impaired, the animal shows signs of emaciation, becomes very weak, raises the nose in the air, but eventually becomes so weak it reels when walking and finally lies down. It becomes so weak it cannot toss the head or rise, and dies. ”

“ The animal has an anxious expression, moves uneasily and is evidently distressed. If relief is not obtained in time the sheep breathes with difficulty, reels in walking or standing and in a short time falls down and dies from suffocation. The distention of the stomach or rumen may become so great that it pushes the diaphragm (the membrane separating the lung and intestinal cavity) forward against the lungs, so as to squeeze and stop their movements, thus preventing the animal from breathing and in some instances the case may be complicated by a rupture of the stomach. ”

“ On careful examination of the foot we find it hot, swollen above the claws and in the soft parts between them, frequently spreading the claws apart to a considerable extent, or the inflammation may have advanced to softening and sloughing of the soft structure between the claws. If this condition is neglected at this stage, deep abscesses form and the pus burrows under the horny wall, and the joints within the hoof become inflamed and destroyed, in which case the treatment is difficult and recovery will be very arduous. ”

“ Frozen roots or potatoes covered with white frost should be regarded as dangerous. When food has been eaten too hastily or when it is cold and wet, the digestive process is imperfectly performed and the food contained in the paunch ferments, during which process large quantities of gas are formed. This same result may follow when a sheep is choking, as the obstruction in the gullet prevents the eructation or passing of gas from the stomach so that the gas continues to accumulate until severe bloating results. ”

“ These symptoms help greatly in determining the animal’s condition and in watching the progress of the disease. The chances for the recovery depend on the extent and the acuteness of the inflammation. Careless handling, exercising, etc., lessen the chances for a favorable termination in the disease, but good care helps more to bring about recovery than the medical treatment. The recovery is more unfavorable in fat than in lean sheep, as the inflammation is usually more severe in the former. The course is from seven to twenty-one days and it may become chronic if the irritation is kept up. ”

“ Give ten to fifteen drops every hour, if necessary. A physic is indicated in the majority of cases of Colic for the purpose of removing irritants or obstructions from the intestines. Calomel, one to two grains, is a very efficient drug, while Castor Oil is given with great difficulty and it should be administered only where diarrhoea is a complication of Colic. Rectal injections of warm water is very beneficial in the treatment of intestinal obstructions. It is good practice to give a dog some vermifuge after an attack of Colic, as worms frequently produce it. ”

“ At this stage the diarrhoea is watery, dark and tinged with blood, and very offensive in odor, breathing is very fast and labored. The hog grows very weak and dies.
Treatment.—Prevention must always be borne in mind. Do not feed filthy food. Always feed good, wholesome food, and give clean water to drink. Watch the condition of hog’s bowels and regulate them by feeding. Burn manure and bedding and disinfect carefully. Do not permit your hogs to drink out of running streams of water, especially if Hog Cholera is in your neighborhood. ”

“ General breaking up of the udder may be greatly hastened by the sucking of a hungry lamb and the kneading it gives the udder with its nose is beneficial. The above mentioned congestion or Garget may emerge into active inflammation resulting from continued exposure to cold weather, standing in cold drafts or injury to the udder from stone, clubs, feet of other animals, overfeeding or rich food, like cotton seed or soy bean, sore teats or a ewe losing her lamb in the period of full milking; serious disturbances of the animal’s health is liable to fall upon the udder. ”

“ In severe cases of diarrhoea, give Bismuth Salicylate, one grain, three times daily in feed or make into a pill with dough. When the fowls will eat, feed them clean, nitrogenous food that they can digest easily, as oatmeal mashes. It is also necessary to give them pure water to drink at all times. Disinfection of the premises is another essential factor in the treatment of this disease, and undiluted Crude Carbolic Acid is a disinfectant that we can rely upon at all times. ”

“ The affected animals will even make attempts to bite themselves, due to the agony produced by the mange mite. If the skin is examined by the aid of a magnifying glass, the mange mite can be easily noticed, or by scraping the skin with a knife and placing the scabs on a dark paper and exposed to the warmth of the sun, the mange mite moving about can readily be seen with the naked eye. Mangy sheep become very poor and eventually die. ”

“ To administer medicine to hogs may seem easy, but, nevertheless, it is a difficult task. Never lay a hog on his back to drench him, as in so doing there is great danger of strangling. The proper method is to stand or set him on end, holding him up by the ears, and by the use of a bottle with a piece of hose drawn over its neck, give the medicine very slowly, so as not to allow [8] a large quantity to accumulate in the mouth or throat at one time. There is always danger of some of the liquid escaping into the lungs and causing the hog to strangle, and thus it may produce pneumonia. ”

“ Symptoms.—Appetite varied, thirst great, vomiting occasionally, the dog shows signs of dullness and sleepiness. Then there may be alternate diarrhoea and constipation, the tongue coated and foul in smell, the eyes, mouth, inside of the ears, and the skin inside the thighs and fore legs become very yellow and dry, temperature and pulse not much affected, the dog passes small quantities of dark amber colored urine frequently, due to the bile it contains. In severe cases, the dog loses strength and flesh readily and soon becomes a mere skeleton. ”

“ Briefly, it consists in avoiding such conditions as may predispose the animal to the disease or act in any way as an exciting cause. Careful nursing is a very important part of the treatment. The sheep should be given a comfortable, well ventilated shed and kept as quiet as possible. If the bowels become constipated, give two or three ounces of Castor Oil and feed sloppy food. As one attack predisposes the sheep to a second, it should be protected from severe cold, or the other extreme, heat, for a month after making a complete recovery. ”

“ A tendency towards Rickets in pups is no doubt hereditary.
Symptoms.—The dog is usually in good condition at the beginning of the disease. Large, well grown pups may suddenly develop symptoms of paralysis of the hind parts. The weakened condition of the thigh bone, not being able to support the dog’s weight, fractures. At other times there is a weakness and bending of bones in the limbs, breaking down of the feet, bending or arching of the back, straddling gait, deformed or disfigured condition of the face or nose. ”

“ Later, the collection of fluids around the lungs may deaden all lung sounds, especially towards the lower part of the chest. In a mild case of Pleurisy, the inflammation is localized to just part of the lungs, or pleura. A lameness in both front limbs and stiffness in moving about are the most noticeable signs in this form of disease. In Chronic Pleurisy a dog is usually very weak and depressed. He is seen frequently lying on his side, and shows great difficulty in walking. ”

“ Treatment.—Medical treatment is of no value, as the disease progresses so rapidly that the bird dies shortly after the first symptoms appear. Sanitary surroundings, good light, pure air and exercise are essential. Do not allow the birds to stand out in the cold or rains, especially during the molting season. Keep your poultry strong and vigorous by feeding clean, nourishing food and give them pure water to drink. ”

“ In Acute Rheumatism, the pain in the affected muscles and joints is intense, and when these parts are handled, or the joints moved, the dog will whine from the pain produced. When lying down, asleep, sudden contractions of the muscles may be noticed. This is due to the pain resulting from the relaxing of the muscles. This disease may pursue a long course; the joints become greatly enlarged, and the dog grows very thin and weak. ”

“ Cause.—Hoven is caused by various kinds of food which produce indigestion or fermentation and resultant gases in the rumen or paunch. When sheep are first turned into young clover, they eat so greedily of it that bloating frequently results. Turnips, potatoes and cabbage may also produce it. Middlings and corn meal also frequently give rise to it. In this connection it may be stated that an excessive quantity of any food, before mentioned, may bring on this disorder, or it may not be due to excessive eating but to eating too fast. Sometimes the quality of food is at fault. ”

“ Symptoms.—Rapid and difficult breathing; the bird appears stupid and sleepy and does not care to move about; appetite poor, wings drooping, plumage ruffled, a thick mucus, colored with blood, escapes from the mouth, comb and wattles show a dark-red color from lack of oxygen in the blood. This disease is of very short duration, the bird dying within a few hours. It is very common among young chicks and turkeys that are permitted to run out in the early spring rains. ”

“ The comb is pale and bloodless, the temperature raised from three to five degrees above normal and the bird loses weight rapidly; it may die with convulsions and cries, or without a sound or struggle. ”

“ Cause.—Intestinal worms, indigestible and unnutritious food, foreign bodies in the stomach, eating too large a quantity or, in many cases, eating too fast, torpidity of the liver, derangements of the teeth, as the accumulations of tartar cause the gums to become soft and sore, resulting in the dog not taking sufficient time to chew food properly; excessive or inexcessive exercise, or improper attention to the hygienic surroundings often derange the digestive system. ”