DOGS, Diseases of. Chorea.— Chorea usually appears in dogs as an irregular jerking of the muscles of the head or some other part, or even of the entire body. In most cases medicinal treatment does not give great benefit, unless the chorea is the result of other disease. Dogs may be given Fowler's solution of arsenic, beginning with one-drop doses once daily and increased one drop a day until five to ten drops (depending on the size of the dog)are given three times daily. Simple syrup of hypophos phites should be given in teaspoonful doses three times daily with the arsenic. This treat ment may be continued for two or three weeks, then stopped for a like period and then repeated.
Distemper is a contagious catarrhal fever that is a common and serious disease among dogs. The disease is caused by a germ and animals contract it from coming in contact with or proximity to another ani mal suffering from the disorder. It is thought that the germs float through the air and are inhaled by the dog. Among the conditions that favor the disease are those that tend to weaken the system. Pure-bred puppies appear to suffer greatly from it. The time that elapses between exposure and the first symptoms is seldom more than three days. When dogs are gathered at shows the disease is likely to occur, owing to exposure to infection and the unusual nervous strain. One attack usually !Oyes immunity to future attacks. The disease is brought on with a chill that may last .an hour or more. It is followed by a high fever, the dog's temperature going to 1b7° F. There is a slight discharge of watery mucus from the nose and eyes, that soon becomes profuse and purulent, sticking the lids together. Usually a rash breaks out on the inside of the thighs. In some cases there are nervous symptoms, shown byjerking of the head and twitching of the muscles; or the dog may become delirious. Often there is difficult breathing, with a painful cough or moan. The bowels may be constipated, or there may be a severe diarrhwa, with a fetid odor. The dog
suffers greatly from prostration and dislikes to be disturbed. The disease runs its course in 10 to 30 days. There is no medicine that will interfere with its course. All the treatment should be directed toward making the animal comfortable and keeping up its strength so that it may resist the disease. Vigorous dogs of good constitution will usually recover; weak, debilitated animals are likely to be overcome by the disease or by various complications. In the early stages, castor oil in doses of half an ounce, with two or three grains of boric acid added, should be given every six hours until the bowels move thoroughly. This may followed by two-grain doses of quinine, twice daily. The nose, mouth and eyes are to be well washed out with warm water three times daily, and the nose and eyes greased with vaseline. The animal is to be given minced fresh beef, beef tea, sweet milk, raw eggs and gruels, and allowed what cold water it wants to drink.
There axe many complications that occur with the disease: pneumonia, bronchitis, inflam mation of the brain or spinal cord and paralysis, usually of the hind quarters. When the clog re covers, abscesses are likely to form in some part of the body. If these occur in the internal organs they are often fatal. Another common sequel is chorea. All infected quarters should be thoroughly disinfected and exposed to the sun and air for several weeks before allowing other susceptible dogs to occupy them.
Ectropitun.--- This disease is a turning out of the eyelid, usually the lower one, so that it presents a red and irritated appearance. It oc curs in horses as well as in dogs but not fre quently. It is usually the result of severe in flammation, or an injury. When this condition is permanent, the only treatment is to remove a V-shaped piece from the lower lid, stitching together the parts so as to bring the lid up to its normal condition.