This malady truly represents the feline scourge, and has its allies in the horse, dog, etc.

It may be defined as A Specific, Febrile, Catarrhal Disease, The Germs Of Which Have A Preference For Attacking Mucous Membranes, Capable Of Being Conveyed From Cat To Cat By Direct And Indirect Means J Running A Definite Course; Assuming Various Forms, And Ending Not Infrequently In Death.

First of all, let us ask ourselves a few simple questions concerning this disease, all of which are of considerable significance to owners of valuable cats.

1. Is the disease infectious? - In our opinion - yes.

2. How is it transmitted? - In some cases by direct contact, in others through the medium of an infected cattery, infected foods, and feeding vessels, the clothing and hands of attendants, by various household media, and probably through the medium of the air.

3. Of what nature is the poison? - Regarded in the light of modern pathological knowledge relating to allied diseases, i. e. specific eruptive fevers, we are forced to believe that minute living organisms are the sole and only cause; that these are endowed with great vitality, and are contained in the nasal discharge and excretions: that such may be also of a volatile nature, as opposed to the fixed forms of virus; but in this disease the virus is apparently both fixed and volatile, hence the multifarious paths by which it enters the system.

4. Does one attack confer immunity ? - Not absolute protection, but to a considerable degree.

5. What are the predisposing causes? - Exposure to cold; enfeeblement of constitution; unhealthy surroundings; change of climate, as, for instance, when a cat comes from a southern to a northern climate.

Symptoms

These begin with a general dullness: cat seems languid, the coat stares; always sitting by the fire, if the cat is indoors; thirst, but shivering precedes the thirst. Very soon sneezing comes on, and there is a watery discharge from the nose and eyes, which gradually changes to one of a thicker character, sealing up the nasal and ocular openings.

There is a cough, sore throat, and the cat refuses all food, even the most tempting morsels. These symptoms* continue for a week or so, and if all goes well recovery may be established in from ten days to a fortnight. This is feline distemper in its simple or uncomplicated catarrhal form. Unfortunately for pussy, matters do not always run so calm a course, but a more stormy state of constitutional destruction frequently ensues. The lungs, the liver, the stomach and bowels, or a combination of these may be implicated. Before proceeding further the reader must be given to understand that the earliest indication of all - i. e. during the incubative stage - is indicated by using the clinical thermometer, the mercury of which rises several degrees. The normal temperature of the cat ranges from 100° to 101° Fahrenheit; but in feline distemper it may read 1050 or 1060; the progress of the malady is assuredly indicated by the use of this instrument night and morning, and a note should be made of the temperatures registered. Take the temperature in the rectum by inserting the bulb into this, whilst an assistant holds the cat. The index, i. e. a small, detached rod of mercury, must be set at 970, done by shaking the thermometer: the stem bears three kinds of marks - long, medium and short. The long marks are placed at 95, 100, 105, 110, and between 95 and 100 are four medium length marks indicating intermediate degrees, viz. 96, 97, 98 and 99; between each of these medium-length marks there are four short strokes, and each short stroke has the value of two-tenths (2/10 ths) of a degree, expressed thus - 95.2, - .4, - .6, - .8, and then 96 and so on.

Prostration is a significant feature, and persists throughout the attack, the rapid loss of flesh being very marked. When the stomach and intestines are affected, vomiting and diarrhœa are present, and if the liver (bilious form) participates, jaundice is the most pronounced symptom.

Bronchitis is indicated by râles in the air-tubes, and may lead to catarrhal pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs). There are other inconstant symptoms.

Treatment And Management

Isolate the cat; keep in a very warm house. Good nursing constitutes an essential factor, but in spite of this the percentage of deaths is high. A stimulant course must be adopted, but there are many difficulties confronting one, owing to the refractory nature of the cat.

Frequently repeated small doses (half-teaspoon-fuls) of brandy and coco wine, or teaspoonful doses of Wincarnis are most to be relied upon.

A grain of quinine, combined with three grains of hyposulphite of soda, made into a pill and given twice daily, is a useful remedy, but the following pills will be found suitable.

Carbonate of ammonia . . 12 grains.

Quinine . . . 6 „ Powdered camphor . 6 „

Extract of belladonna . 3 „ Licorice powder and treacle sufficient to make 12 pills.

Give one, night and morning.

If vomiting is troublesome give 10 grains each of bi-carbonate of soda and bismuth, dry on the tongue, three times daily. Diarrhoea must be treated according to the instructions laid down under the heading of this disease. Sponge the eyes and nose daily with tepid water. If the cough is troublesome give a teaspoonful of ipecacuanha wine to clear the throat.

A portion of salt herring, fried, is a capital food in distemper, so also is a little minced raw meat.