DISTEMPER IN DOGS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1165, 29 June 1894, Page 24

DISTEMPER IN DOGS.

I (From T)ve Field.) | gi fj —"Will you permit me a small space in your valuable paper to say a few words on the subject of distemper in dogs. I see Mr Campbell, of the Dogs' Home, Birmingham,*has written a very excellent letter on this subject, remarking that he would be glad of any further hints on this disease. We are all aware what a scourge this malady is in large establishments, like dogs' homes, kennels of foxhounds, and the like; also the great risk that young dogs run while attending dog shows. Why not adopt a preventive, in addition to curative, measures ? I mean, viz., the inoculation of dogs against this terrible disease. Personally, I can apeak from experience. During the three years I was quartered at Weedon I had the good luck to hunt with various packs of foxhounds in the neighbourhood, and while there inoculated several hounds of all ages, together with other dogs of varied breeds and ages, and was rewarded with most satisfactory results ; even those already suffering from the disease were benefited considerably by this process. I have also had some experience of this treatment in India, likewise with good results. If Mr Campbell, or any other gentleman, would like any further advice on this subject, I will gladly communicate with them through your paper. —Kay Lees, Vet-Captain, F.R.C.V.S., Barracks, Colchester. [Our most recent experiment in inoculation proved anything but successful, and we consider it most uncertain in its results.—Editor of The Fielcll gi r> I have read Mr J. H. Campbell's communication to you respecting distemper in dogs, an<U cannot help expressing my surprise that anyone, who is supposed to have had experience with dogs, should say that distemper ever arises spontaneously. A doctor might just as well say a child could get an attack of measles or scarlet fever after exertion as to say a dog can develop distemper after a long walk. I am sure distemper is purely a contagious disease, and never arises spontaneously. I may point out that the writer forgets to mention that a rise of temperature is the first symptom in every case, and that in many instance? a cough does not develop until the dog has been ailing for a week or a fortnight. It is not necessary to go into detail respecting the treatment suggested by Mr Campbell, but I think your readers ought to be cautioned against giving small, delicate dogs one grain tartar emetic with one grain calomel. Such treatment in many cases would be simply fatal in a few hours to a weakly puppy. Eeferring to the last paragraph but one in the letter, as to its being possible to carry distemper in the clothes, I know from experience that such frequently occurs, and as veterinary surgeon to Spratt's Dog' Sanatorium I strongly advised them, when building their new hospital at Beddington, to have a perfectly isolated house erected for distemper patients, right away from where the other dogs were kept, as well as a separate attendant, and such was done, and the man who attends to the distemper cases is never, under any circumstances whatever, allowed to enter the grounds or kennel's where the other dogs are. Most large breeders of dogs know, too, from experience, what a contagious disease it is, and how they and their kennelmen carry the infection from one part of the kennels to another. The only possible way of preventing the disease spreading is to isolate the patients, and appoint a separate attendant to look after-them, and the person selected to act as the nurse, should not on any account go near the healthy do" 8. I could mention scores of instances where the isolation system has been carried out with perfect success, and then, on the other hand, where the system has not been perfectly adhered to, the disease has spread amongst all the other dogs. I note no mention whatever is made as to the use of the the thermometer in treating distemper. In my opinion, it is impossible to treat these cases properly without the aid of this instrument. The temperature should be taken in all cases twice a day, in bad cases thrice daily.—A. J. Sewell, M.R.C.V.S., 53 Elizabeth street, Eaton square, S.W.