Indigestion of course means that the food is not properly digested, and implies that there is some disordered condition of the digestive organs or digestive functions. Digestion is a complicated process, requiring a complex mechanism for its performance, each part of which has a special office and a distinctive influence on food. The stomach, the liver, the intestinal glands, etc., may all be deranged in their secretory functions, although the symptoms point almost exclusively to the stomach as being the chief part deranged.

Symptoms

Indigestion may be preceded, accompanied, or followed by multifarious symptoms. The appetite is vitiated and impaired: vitiated, because the dog has a keen relish for spiced, or sweetened, or stimulating food, or for paper, string, etc.: impaired, when the dog turns up his nose at wholesome food, or eats a little of it with feelings of ill-concealed disgust. There is considerable thirst and occasional attacks of sickness. In some cases, a quantity of fluid bobs up from the stomach into the mouth, and is slavered about. Occasional attacks of diarrhoea are not unfrequent, alternating generally with constipation; or constipation alone may exist. Flatulence is another frequent symptom of indigestion. Many skin-diseases follow in the wake of this disorder. Excessive fatness, accompanied by asthmatic breathing and cough, is induced by it. Excessive constipation, foulness of the breath, inflammation of the gums, etc., may be cited as some of the effects of long-continued indigestion. Indeed there are few chronic diseases in the production and continuance of which indigestion does not play an important or even an exclusive part.

The causes of indigestion are various; indigestible or improper food is the most frequent. The practice, long continued, of giving large quantities of food at long intervals, may lead to indigestion. Want of exercise is a predisposing, if not an exciting cause in deranging the stomach.

No dog should have indigestion, for that implies some kind of neglect or ignorance in not keeping the dog away from the causes which produce the disorder. Dogs should not be over-fed, nor fed on dainties or lollipops; and should have regular meals and regular exercise. In fact, the canine stomach should be treated much as the human, both in health and disease. The fat dog should be permitted to live upon himself for some hours; in other words, he should be wholly or partially starved, until a more natural appetite returns, when plain food should be placed before him. In some cases this practice is either unsuitable or objectionable; if so, a smaller quantity than usual of food must be allowed at longer intervals of time. Daily exercise in the open air is absolutely necessary.

A cold bath, followed by thorough drying and exercise, is beneficial in all cases.

Treatment

The most suitable remedies for indigestion are: -

Nux vomica * when the dog refuses to eat, or vomits what he does eat, when the bowels are confined, etc.

Carlo v. is a good remedy for flatulence, purgings, distention of the stomach and bowels, and some kinds of cough, attending indigestion; also, when fluid rises from the stomach into the mouth. Mercurius is indicated when the liver is deranged as well as the stomach - when the skin and eyes have a yellow colour, etc.

* For directions as to dose, etc., consult the "Introductory Remarks."

Food, Etc

It is to be remarked that no medicines can avail in this disease unless the diet be strictly attended to, as regards both quality and quantity.