CAUSE.—Insufficient exercise, overfeeding or feeding decomposed or
irritating foods. Dogs are predisposed to indigestion as they frequently
swallow a large quantity of indigestible food without masticating it.
Poor care and exposure to cold also frequently produce Constipation.
SYMPTOMS.—Constipation is often a complication of other diseases, the
feces is dry-looking and may be more or less covered with a mucus. A
prominent symptom is straining, attempts to defecate, the appetite is
greatly impaired, the dog acts dull and stands with the head down or
goes off to some quiet place and lies down. Protrusion of the rectum
or piles may occur, especially if the animal has eaten freely of dry,
indigestible food. Colicky pains are sometimes manifested. Constipation
occurring from causes other than a complication of diseases seldom takes
on a serious form.
TREATMENT.—When a dog becomes constipated, all dry, indigestible food
should be withheld. A soft, easily digested diet should be fed sparingly
and a liberal supply of water allowed. In some cases it is well to
exercise the dog. A physic of two to four ounces of Castor Oil should
be given, but overdosing with physics avoided. The action of the physic
should be assisted by injecting into the rectum warm, soapy water. Tonics
which assist digestion by stimulating secretions of the bowels, should be
administered, as Ferri Sulphate, one-half dram; Quinine, one-half dram;
Pulv. Nux Vomica, one-half dram; Gentian Root, one dram. Mix and make
into twelve capsules and give one capsule three or four times a day.
The above treatment must be persisted in until the constipated condition
is relieved.
DIARRHOEA AND DYSENTERY
CAUSE.—Among the common causes of Diarrhoea and Dysentery can be
mentioned irritating foods, sudden change in feed, decomposed matter,
irritation from intestinal worms, imperfect mastication of food and its
imperfect preparation for digestion, eating more food than the digestive
organs can well digest, debilitated condition and irritation from
indigestible food. The immediate cause is perhaps the irritated condition
of the mucous membranes lining the intestines and a profuse secretion
from the intestinal glands, nature’s own method of removing poisonous or
infectious matter from the digestive canal.
SYMPTOMS.—Undue amount of liquid feces, the dog weakly and sickly, the
coat staring and perhaps a sort of curdled fluid passes with the feces.
If the fecal matter is tinged with blood, then it is called Dysentery,
and this is more serious than common Diarrhoea. These conditions are
generally associated with other diseases and should be examined very
carefully for complications.
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