DOGS

North Canterbury Gazette, Volume I, Issue 1, 12 August 1932, Page 10

DOGS

[By “Mice”] The annual show of the Hamilton Kennel Club opened yesterday and will continue to-day. Mr. W. C. Ueversedge, of Christchurch, is the judge in all classes. Schedules have been issued for the first annual show of the North Otago Kennel Club, which is to be held at Oamaru on September 2nd and 3rd. Pupy, novice, limit, and open classes are provided for each breed, while several special stakes provide an added attraction. Good prize money and a fine array of cups and special prizes are available. The judges will be Dr. A. C. McKillop, sporting dogs (excepting terriers) and toys, and Mr A. B. Talbot, terriers and all other breeds. Entries close on August 17th with the honorary secretary, Mr M. F. Woodward, Oamaru. DISTEMPER. Although Canterbury has not suffered this year from distemper in the way it did two or three years ago, several people have complained of losses due to this disease. Of dog illnesses it is by far the deadliest. Some few dogs escape it altogether, but the majority suffer from it in their first year, and a great number die from it. Its cause remains a mystery (unless, of course, the committee now at work on it in England is beginning to understand it), but in all probability it is. caused by a microbe similar in character to the influenza germ.

The symptoms are loss of appetite and feverishness, the nose becomes hot and dry, and the animal shivers and is very thirsty. The nose discharges mucus which gradually becomes thicker as the disease gets a stronger hold, and is sometimes stained with blood. This may last two or three weeks. There is a good deal of sneezing and coughing, a (rapid loss of flesh, and progressive weakness. By this, time the dog can often neither stand nor ‘walk, but the fever should abate about this stage. Owing to ignorance as to the cause of the complaint very little can be confidently done in. the way of treatment. There is no means of actively combating it, and the most that can he /done is to give, the recuperative agents within the dog himself every chance and encourages ent, and to attempt to ward off complications,- such as pneumonia, bronchitis, diarrhoea, fits, etc. For this reason good amateur nursing is usually quite as successful as professional treatment.

As in the case of all fevers, a dose of castor oil at the start is useful. Warmth, fresh air, rest, and proper food and drink are essential. The most nutritive foods, generally in liquid form, should be given, and should be varied and appetizing—such as beef tea, gravy, thin milk porridge, broth, etc., and should be given three of four times every day. A good drink is ■barley water, or pure fresh water to Aibich tAvo teaspoonfuls to the quart of either chlorate or nitrate of potash kaA-e been added. Cornealesccnce Avill be sloav, and .some of the symptoms such as mucus discharge from the corners of the eyes may last two months. IIaAV heel and liver arc good strengthening foods and should be given. Exercise should he inodcr'ate and the .dog protected from cold and damp. No hath should be given until the dog has wholly recoA - - ered, even if the dog is of an age jivhen a bath is normally safe —that is, roughly, at one year. The clog should be isolated.