Text book of veterinary medicine, Volume 3 (of 5)Law, James
Science
Text book of veterinary medicine, Volume 3 (of 5)
Law, James
Veterinary medicine
_Symptoms in_ =Dogs=. These are described as some aberration of the
senses, which gradually merges into stupor, coma and paralysis. While
the animal is able to keep on his feet he sways and staggers, runs
unconsciously against objects, or walks in a circle. There is heat of
the head, injected eyes, sometimes drawn back or squinting,
oposthotonos, and general spasms occurring in paroxysms. The duration of
the disease is about the same as in the horse.
_Differential Diagnosis._ From other forms of meningitis this is easily
distinguished. Fulminant cases almost all belong to this type, the fact
of the coincident implication of brain and spinal cord is strongly
suggestive of this form, and the occurrence of many cases at once,
without any demonstrable toxic or thermic cause, is tolerably
conclusive. From tetanus there is this added distinction, that the
disease does not set in so slowly, the spasms of the neck and back are
not so persistent, and stupor sets in early, in a way that is unknown in
lockjaw. Rabies is recognized by the slow onset, the characteristic
prodromata, the mischevious disposition, the depraved appetite, and by
the history of its local prevalence. Tubercular meningitis in cattle has
a similar association with tuberculous animals in the same family or
herd, and often by the local indications of tubercle elsewhere,
emaciation, unthriftiness, cough, flocculent and gritty nasal discharge,
enlarged lymph glands, pharyngitis, mammary disease.
_Treatment._ With a disease so fatal _prevention_ should be the first
consideration and especially when it appears in an enzootic form. Even
in the absence of a definite knowledge of its germ or toxin, it is
logical to avoid the locality, condition, food or water by which such
germ or toxin has presumably entered the system, together with every
unhygienic condition, which may have reduced the resistance of the
system and laid it open to the attack. The animals should be removed to
a clean, airy, building and the old one should be thoroughly emptied,
purified and whitewashed, the lime-wash containing 4 ozs. of chloride of
lime, or 1 dr. of mercuric chloride to the gallon. Drains and gutters
should have special attention and the animals should not be returned
until the stable is thoroughly dry. A change of feed is imperative when
there is any suggestion of damp, mustiness or fermentation, and even in
the absence of such indications, since the ferments and their products
may still be present in a dried condition. It should also be an object
to correct any morbid or pyogenic condition of the pharynx, Eustachian
pouch, nose or ear, by appropriate measures and the inhalation of
sulphurous acid or chlorine may be resorted to with advantage.
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