Pneumonia, or inflammation of the substance of the lungs, is of frequent occurrence in dogs.

The exciting causes, acting with greatest certainty and violence, on a weak, a plethoric, or an exhausted constitution, resolve themselves into exposure to cold, or to sudden, or extreme variations of temperature. The attack often comes on after clipping dogs during cold or inclement weather; throwing them into, or causing them to swim in water; and afterwards neglecting to rub the hair and skin dry, etc. In some cases, the disease seizes dogs apparently healthy, and in the absence of any obvious cause. Severe exertion, by overtaxing the respiratory organs, is a fruitful exciting cause. House and other dogs, accustomed habitually to breathe a warm atmosphere, if turned out during cold weather, or at night, are thereby rendered liable to an attack. The disease sometimes prevails as an epidemic, severe in type and fatal in result.

Symptoms

The symptoms are well-marked and characteristic. After general shivering, succeeded by partial sweats, the breathing becomes quick and heaving, the expired air being hot, and the pulse strong, full, and increased in frequency. The head is extended, the tongue protruded, and the dog remains obstinately in one fixed position, sitting on his hocks, or if reluctantly moved, again assuming that posture, - all indicating oppressed lungs, and urgent need of free respiration. There may be some restlessness, the dog wandering about and perhaps lying down for a minute or so, but as a rule, the position is on the hocks, - a circumstance which is alone almost diagnostic. There is a short quick cough, generally, but not invariably, accompanied by slight discharge of reddish coloured mucus. Unless the symptoms are relieved, the dog gradually gets worse and worse, the breathing more and more difficult and embarrassed, the dog poking his nose through any crevice to get plenty of fresh air, to relieve the feeling of suffocation which it doubtless suffers; the pulse becomes weaker and quicker; the body thinner and weaker. Yet the dog sits hour after hour, with drooping head, closed eyes, and halfunconscious manner, until, at length, worn out and exhausted, he dies.

The physical signs leave no doubt as to the nature, severity, extent, and complications of the disease; and give valuable information as to the probability of recovery. One or both lungs may be involved; few dogs recover when both are badly inflamed. In the diseased parts of the lungs, a sound is heard resembling that which is produced when one's hair is rubbed between the finger and thumb, close to the ear. This sound is learnedly called "crepitation;" it denotes the first stage of pneumonia, when the lungs are engorged with blood or bloody serum. In the same parts the natural healthy sound is obscured, and, as the disease advances, displaced by the morbid one. As compared with the healthy lung, the diseased part gives out a dull sound when tapped with the finger, as is done when the human chest is "sounded." In the second stage, the lung loses its spongy structure, and becomes dense and solid. Neither crepitation nor the natural sound can now be heard, but, instead, a blowing sound proceeding from the larger bronchial tubes which, are sur-rounded by the solid lung. At a still more advanced stage, the sounds are rattling, from the passage to and fro, of air through the effused fluids or products of inflammation. These either cease, and are gradually replaced by the gentle breezy murmur of health, or continue, and then indicate suppuration of the lung and forebode early death.

Pneumonia, without bronchitis, is rarely if ever met with. The latter complication is indicated more particularly by mucous discharge from the nose, rattling in the chest during the early stage, and the absence of dulness when the sides are percussed. Pleurisy may or may not co-exist.

Treatment

Ammonium causticum* is a remedy of great value in the congestive stage, when the breathing is panting and much quickened, and when the surface of the body is cold.

Aconitum is indicated when the inflammatory symptoms are fully developed, the pulse full and frequent, the skin and nose hot and dry, and the breathing quickened.

Bryonia is necessary when pneumonia is complicated with pleurisy; there being pain on pressure of the chest, short suppressed cough, etc. It is also indicated when there is some amount of bronchitis, with wheezing respiration, rattling in the chest, etc.

Phosphorus is an invaluable remedy, especially during the second stage of the disease when the lung is hepatized; it is indicated by great difficulty of breathing; frequent irritating cough, and reddish tough expectoration.

Tartarus emeticus is indicated by somewhat similar symptoms.

* For the dose, etc., see "Introductory Remarks."

Sulphur may be given to complete the cure after all the urgent symptoms have been subdued.

Food, Etc

The dog's distress must not be increased by keeping it in a warm, close room; it should be comfortably protected from cold, but should be allowed to breathe cool fresh air. After recovery it should be gently exercised, provided the weather be dry. When the appetite returns, the food should be plain.