Icterus or jaundice is a disease of frequent occurrence in dogs.

The causes, either predisposing or exciting, are not accurately known; but the fatigue of such exertion as sporting dogs have to endure, immersion in cold water, and living in damp places, are amongst the most frequent. Reynal states that he has met with cases of jaundice caused by the grief which the dogs felt on the death of their female companions.

Symptoms

The disease begins with symptoms of nervous irritability, such as timidity, convulsive movements, trembling; these are followed by extreme dulness and dejection. The dog is profoundly apathetic, and takes no notice of the caresses of his master; he is constantly lying down, and gets up only when forced to do so. There is great muscular weakness, and little or no appetite; fluid foods are preferred to solid when the appetite remains to some extent. The pulse is small and very quick, and the respiration quickened and moaning. During sleep, the patient is agitated with starts and slight moans, indicating pain. The skin, especially the internal surface of the ears, the thighs, the forearms, and of the belly, presents a deep saffron-yellow hue; the right hypochondrium is tender to the touch; the urine is of a notably greenish-yellow colour; the faeces are hard and yellowish; and, after constipation, there is often diarrhoea, the discharges being yellowish, and partially made up of mucus.

Jaundice is frequently met with in conjunction with obstruction of the bowels, from invagination of the intestinal canal.

Sometimes, during the decline of the symptoms of jaundice, there appear a cough, a vesicular eruption, and a discharge from the nose - symptoms which have been observed more especially in young dogs that have not had distemper, or that have had it in a mild form.

Treatment

Aconitum * should be given at the outset of the disease, when feverish symptoms, as denoted by quick pulse, hot nose, etc., are present.

Mercurius is indicated by yellow skin and eyes,tenderness of the right side, high-coloured urine, hardened faeces, etc.

* For directions as to the dose of these medicines, refer to the "Introductory Remarks".

Arsenicum must be resorted to when the symptoms assume a typhoid character, with small frequent pulse, blackish diarrhoea, constant vomiting, cold legs and skin, etc.

Chelidonium majus is good for coated tongue, flatulent distention, dark urine, costive bowels, yellow eyes, pain in region of liver, evacuations whitish, etc.