Should the complaint have been much neglected, or the inflammation so
great as to bid defiance to these means, ulceration will too often
speedily follow. It will be found lodged deep in the passage, and can
only be detected by moulding the ear; the effused pus will occasionally
occupy the inside of the ear to its very tip. However extensive and
annoying the inflammation may be, and occasionally causing so much
thickening of the integument as perfectly to close the ear, it is always
superficial. It will generally yield to proper treatment, and the
cartilage of the ear may not be in the slightest degree affected. Still,
however, the animal may suffer extreme pain; the discharge from the
ulcer may produce extensive excoriation of the cheek; and, in a few
cases, the system may sympathise with the excessive local application,
and the animal may be lost.
The treatment must vary with circumstances. If the ulceration is deep in
the ear, and there is not a very great degree of apparent inflammation,
recourse may be had at once to a stimulating and astringent application,
such as alum or the sulphate of zinc, and in the proportion of six
grains of either to an ounce of water. If, however, the ulceration
occupies the greater part of the hollow of the ear, and is accompanied
by much thickening of the integument, and apparent filling up of the
entrance to the ear, some portion of the inflammation must be first
subdued.
The only chance of getting rid of the disease is to confine the ear. A
piece of strong calico must be procured, six or eight inches in width,
and sufficiently long to reach round the head and meet under the jaw.
Along each side of it must be a running piece of tape, and a shorter
piece sewed at the centre of each of the ends. By means of these the cap
may be drawn tightly over the head, above the eyes, and likewise round
the neck behind the ears, so as perfectly to confine them.
After all, no mild ointment will dispose such an ulcer to heal, and
recourse must be had at once to a caustic application. A scruple of the
nitrate of silver must be rubbed down with an ounce of lard, and a
little of it applied twice every day, and rubbed tolerably hard into the
sore until it assumes a healthy appearance; it may then be dressed with
the common calamine ointment.
If the discharge should return, the practitioner must again have
recourse to the caustic ointment.
The cartilage will never close, but the integument will gradually cover
the exposed edges, and the wound will be healed. The ear will, however,
long continue tender, and, if it should be much beaten, by the shaking
of the head, the ulcer will reappear. This must be obviated by
occasionally confining the ears, and not overfeeding the dog.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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