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Information on Dog Colic Treatment and care.
Dog Colic Treatment
Dog Colic. "Nearly all domestic animals are subject to attacks of colic, or gripes, as it is more frequently termed, especially when the horse is the subject of the. Disease. In the dog, puppies are especially liable to it, but it attacks dogs of all ages, and, is not promptly attended to and properly treated, is very liable to end in inflamma tion of the bowels a most dangerous disease, which, in some of its features, though happily not its dangerous ones, colic resembles. One very important point of distinction is, that whereas inflammation comes on gradually, and feverishness, with hot. Dry nose, etc., always exist as premonitory symptoms, colic comes on sud denly, and a dog eating well and seeming in perfect health is seized with spasm of the coat of the bowels, causing such pain that he gives voice to a low moan, which is afterward changed to a prolonged howl, as the paroxysms of pain increase in xrequency and severity. In colic, too, the nose and mouth are cool, and there is no offensive breath. As in inflammation, the attitude is peculiar and unmtetak able; the back being arched, the feet drawn in toward each other and tne tail tightly tucked between his legs; in colic, the belly is sometimes distended consider ably with gas, and is then known as flatulent colic. It is a disease of frequent occurrence in dogs, and the exciting causes are various; exposure to wet and cold; getting dogs, especially house dogs, to swim in cold inclement weather, are com mon causes; the presence of worms in the intestines also produces colic. But the most common cause is undoubtedly the giving of improper food; sugar and other sweet things are likely to produce it; puppies just after weaning are very liable to it, especially if! They have pmall lumps of meat or other solid food thrown to them' which they can not well chew, but greedily bolt; or having a portion of one meal left in the dish till the next meal is added is very likely to produce it. Because the stale portion undergoes fermentation, that is, becomes sour, and the fermentation is carried on in the stomach. Colic is sure to yield to prompt and proper measures, and the treatment siismple and safe. As soon as observed, give the sufferer a dose of "anti-spasmodic drops:" Compound spirits of sulphuric ether (known as Hoffmans' anodyne), and tincture of opium (laudanum) equal parts. Mix, and keep in a well stoppered bottle in a cool place. Dose for 15-lb. To 35-lb. Dog would be a small teaspoonful in two tablespoonfuLs of milk or gruel. It must be given diluted with thin gruel, milk or water, and if immediate relief does not 'follow, administer a double quantity, as a clyster in gruel, or the dose may be repeated in half an hour. In "flatulent colic," known by the distended belly bounding like a drum when tapped wi-th the end of the finger, from 10 to 30 drops of spirit of sal volatile may be advantageously added to the dose of "anti-spasmodic drops," or the following draught may be given and repeated in an hour if the dog is not relieved: Carbonate of soda 20 grains Aromatic spirits of ammonia 30 drops Essence of ginger 5 drops Laudanum 15 drops Peppermint water 2 tablespoonfuls This is a dose for a medium-sized dog, such as a pointer or a greyhound. For puppies and smaller breeds use less of this as the dose. After the attack has sub sided give the dog a gentle aperient, such as the "mild purge:"
Syrup of buckthorn 3 parts Syrup of white poppies . . . 1 part Castor oil 2 parts Dose for dog 15-lb. To 30-lb., is a tablespoonful. Bottle must De well shaken before using. Larger dogs a little more. Keep on a laxative diet, and do not let the dog have violent exercise for a day or so. Endeavor to discover the cause of the attack and avoid a repetition. Lead poisoning produces a peculiar form of colic, and dogs should not have water to drink that has been collected in leaden cisterns. The using of one-eighth grain doses of morphine hypodermically every half hour or hour during the attack of colic will give relief very soon.
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