This is a disease of great frequency in dogs. It is caused in many ways - by eating improper food, by changing the kind of food, by exposure to cold. A peculiar form of colic is produced by the action of lead on the bowels, when the dog is accustomed to drink water which is conveyed in leaden pipes, or kept in leaden cisterns. The attack in some instances comes on without any apparent cause. Impaction of faeces in the bowels, stoppage, in fact, may be mentioned as another occasional cause. Worms and incarceration of wind also induce colic.

Puppies are peculiarly liable to this disorder, especially from the first to the third month. Colic sometimes complicates distemper. Unless speedily relieved, it passes on to inflammation, which is generally fatal.

Symptoms

The symptoms of colic come on suddenly in a dog previously eating well and in perfectly good health. In a moment, spasm seizes the muscular coat of the bowel, and the dog feels pain. The pain is slight at first, and the dog moans when he feels it. There is then an interval of freedom from pain, but presently the pain returns, this time with greater severity, and causing the animal to cry and shift his position. As the disease goes on the pains become still more violent, and the paroxysms of them more frequent and of longer duration. The dog goes about from one place to another, curling himself up, and in vain attempting to get relief by change of posture. During the fit of pain the attitude is characteristic, - the back being arched, the legs drawn together under the belly, and the tail drawn in between the hind legs. In simple colic attended by the foregoing symptoms there is no acceleration of pulse or breathing - no heat or dryness of the mouth or nose - no redness of the eyes. When, however, colic has passed into inflammation, these symptoms are changed, - the pulse, by its increased frequency and wiriness of character, denoting the advent of a more serious disease.

Treatment

Belladonna* is indicated when the abdomen is distended with wind.

Aconitum is a most valuable remedy when there are great restlessness and the other indications of pain, with frequent ineffectual urging to pass faeces and water, tenderness of the abdomen, etc.

Nux vomica is efficacious when the bowels are obstinately confined, the faeces hard and dry, the pain severe and causing the animal to bend his back, etc.

Colocynthis when the pains are very severe, so much so as to cause excessive restlessness and agitation, and also when there is bilious vomiting and diarrhoea.

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

Arsenicum is especially suitable when the pains come on after eating or drinking, and are of a very excruciating character, and when there is watery or bilious diarrhoea and vomiting.

Ammonium causticum I have found of great service in those cases of colic which are caused by accumulation of flatus.

The warm bath or warm fomentations are sometimes of service. If worms be present, the treatment laid down under the proper head must be resorted to.

When the colic is caused by constipation, injections * are necessary.