This section is from the book "Dogs In Disease: Their Management And Treatment", by Ashmont. Also available from Amazon: Dogs In Disease, Their Management And Treatment.
Of the diseases of the solid abdominal organs, the greater number and the more important are situated In the liver. Inflammation of this struct-ure is termed hepatitis and maybe either acute or chronic. These two forms claim separate consideration.
Acute hepatitis is an affection rarely seen among dogs in the colder climates. It is reported that the disease is not infrequent in the tropics; the course it runs there is however somewhat different, it being circumscribed and confined to a part of the organs, while here the inflammation generally acts upon the whole or greater part of the structure.
Acute hepatitis in the cold climate is probably more often induced traumatically, by such influences as kicks and blows.
Various causes have been assigned by different writers, such as excessive use of purgatives, emetics, and exposure to cold and wet. The disease has been often known to follow severe cases of dysentery. Gastric inflammation may be the exciting cause, by interfering with the circulation in the liver. Acute hepatitis may be associated with other diseases, such as pneumonia, pleurisy and distemper. The existing causes in many instances must be problematical; the subject requires much light before the direct influences can be determined.
At times the symptoms are vague, and point to other organs rather than to the liver as the seat of the disease. Persistent vomiting may mislead and acute gastritis be suspected.
The attack is very often ushered in by a chill as shown by shivering, but this symptom is liable to be overlooked. The manner of the dog changes materially soon after the invasion of the disease, becoming dull and listless. His appetite usually at once disappears, and he manifests an appearance of discomfort, very marked in a proportion of cases, from which it might be inferred be was suffering from pain. His position assumed on lying down is somewhat characteristic, it being on bis cheat and belly. He shows a disinclination to exertion and on getting up bis movements appear stiff and painful. Thirst is usually excessive; vomiting attends a certain proportion of cases and the odor of the breath becomes markedly offensive. The condition of the bowels is not indicative; looseness occurs in some, and in other cases the bowels are constipated; the two may alternate.
Unless the attack be associated with pulmonary disease, the respiration is at first unaffected. Fever is a constant symptom; the pulse becomes full, bounding, and rapid. Tenderness on pressure over the liver is characteristic.
Jaundice appears quite early in the disease, generally within four days after the first symptoms are manifested. The skin becomes yellow, the eyes of the same tint, or dull and lustreless; the mucous membrane of the mouth paler, the urine darker in color leaving an indelible stain, and the discharges are " clay colored". The pulse previously rapid now falls, sometimes below the normal. The enlargement of the liver or a swelling in some part of it now very likely appears, but its increase in size may not in all cases be sufficient to be appreciated.
The course of the disease is usually rapid, and may terminate in abscess, recovery without abscess, or resolve into the chronic form. When death occurs from abscess, a swelling over the region of the liver can usually be determined. Emaciation is rapid and associated with the usual signs of failure and exhaustion. The breathing changes, becoming quick and hurried; the pulse weak and feeble. The bowels assume the appearance of pregnancy.
Early in the disease the diagnosis is exceedingly difficult in many cases; in none will it be easy. The manner of the attack, the loss of appetite, the high fever, the local tenderness and evident pain, and the occurrence of jaundice, render the existence of acute hepatitis highly probable. If in addition to these symptoms the liver is found to be enlarged, the diagnosis may be made with reasonable certainly.
Acute hepatitis is a disease attended with great danger, and will in nearly all cases prove fatal if an abscess forms. When associated with other diseases the danger is intensified. Even if recovery takes place convalescence is apt to be slow and tedious.
The purposes of treatment are to arrest inflammation, thereby preventing the formation of abscess.
The amount of pain and constitutional disturbance will indicate the use of opium, which should be given in the form of Dover's powder; dose five grains every six or eight hours. If a correct diagnosis of the disease could be made within a few hours of its invasion, the better treatment would be to give the tartrate of antimony and potassa, in one sixteenth grain doses every two hours for two or three days, when there is much excitement of circulation, a full, bounding pulse, and much fever. Unfortunately however, in many cases several days will elapse before a diagnosis is verified, then it is too late to use the drug in question.
Mercury is supposed to increase the secretion of bile, and did we believe this to be so, its use in this disease would be of doubtful propriety. The doctrine that this agent acts in the manner supposed is open to distrust. Of the modus operandi of mercury we know nothing, except that it probably acts through the medium of circulation, and it exerts a peculiar power which enables it to subvert diseased actions.
Where blood-letting is generally inadmissible, one of the measures most to be relied upon, is the very cautious employment of mercury. It is therefore advised that the following be given. -
℞ Pil. Hydrarg. gr.v Pulv. Ipecac. gr.ij Ft. Pil. No. xij. Dose one four times daily.
These pills should be persisted in unless some indication presents to contra-indicate their use, or an abscess begins to form. If the bowels remain constipated, one or two grains of the extract of colocynth can be added to each pill.
Counter-irritation should be applied over the region of the liver, a strong mustard paste used first, and after the skin has become well reddened, hot poultices of flaxseed meal should be substituted.
After the inflammation has subsided two grains of the extract of tarax-Icum can be added to each pill The system must be sustained from the first by a nutritious and concentrated diet, and a careful avoidance of all fatty food.
 
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