These should be treated as distinct diseases, but to the ordinary dog owner the division would be of little use. the causes and general treatment being alike. There are two forms of inflammation of the liver - the acuta and chronic, the former the rarer, which appears more suddenly; the latter comes as a sequel of the acute. The causes of this disease, in most cases. are traceable to improper and over-feeding, combined with lack of exercise, which accounts for the great number of such cases occurring in house and pet dogs. In hunting dogs it can be brought on by continued exposure to wet, or their going into water in cold weather, sleeping in damp places, of over-exertion.

One very common cause is the repeated resort to powerful emetics, which so many use as if they possessed a charm over dog diseases.

Symptoms

Dog is dull, restless in his sleep, has excessive thirst, very poor appetite, becomes thin, and the portions of his skin not covered by hair you will readily notice to be of a yellowish color or tinge. This will be seen on the gums, lips, and under the legs. The discharge is fetid, and urine, passed in small quantities, is yellow. There is also fever, with fits of heat and shivering. Vomiting sometimes occurs; the matter ejected is slimy and of a yellowish color; the bowels are generally constipated, and the excrement of a pale clay color. In chronic cases the belly is often enlarged and flatulence often exists. In severe cases the dog will lose flesh rapidly, and soon become a mere skeleton. The liver, in a healthy state, secretes a yellow fluid called the gall, which is collected in the gall bladder, intended to mix with the chyle, completing digestion. When obstruction of the gall bladder takes place the gall is diverted from its natural purpose, is reabsorbed by the blood vessels, enters the general system, giving a bright saffron color to the eyes, lips, inside of the ears, arms and thighs, sometimes to the whole skin, and from this it is often called the "Yellows."

Jaundice is of frequent occurrence, often exists as a sequel to distemper, and when this is the case is most difficult to manage on account of the already reduced strength of the patient. Treatment must to some extent be governed by circumstances of each case.

The invariable yellow color of the parts mentioned as a symptom in this disease is one which the least careful observer cannot fail to notice; but before this occurs there are other symptoms which should not be overlooked. In the earlier stages the dog's appetite fails; he suffers considerable thirst which increases as the disease progreses; there is fever, with alternate fits of heat and shivering; vomiting may occur, and the matter ejected is generally slimy and of a yellowish color; the urine is passed in small quantities, and is a deep yellow color; the bowels are generally constipated, and the excrement is of a pale clay color. In chronic cases the belly is enlarged, and flatulence often exists; while on the right side a swelling may be felt. In severe cases the dog rapidly loss flesh and soon becomes a mere skeleton; the coat is rough and staring, and often somes off in patches. All writers I have consulted on the subject recommend mercury in the treatment of jaundice, so I here give particulars of its dose, and the mode of administering it, for the benefit of my readers, although I do not myself use it.

Mercurial Treatment Of Jaundice

Calomel 2 grains to 4 grains, with 1 grain of opium every six hours, as per size of dog, is not uncommon prescription. Or another treatment is: Blue pill 3 grains, opium 1 grain, to be given every five or six hours. If diarrhea be produced by this treatment, the quantity of opium must be increased, and the mercury, if necessary, reduced to 2 grains.

I prefer to use the Compound Podophyllin Pills:

Podophyllin ................................ 6 grains.

Compound extract of colocynth ................ 30 grains.

Powdered rhubarb .......................... 48 grains.

Extract of henbane .......................... 36 grains.

Mix and divide into twenty-four pills. One pill to dog up to 20 lbs., two pills to larger ones.

If the bowels be not freely opened after administering the first pill a dose of salts and senna (black draught) should be given; on the other hand, if diarrhea exists it must be checked. In conjunction with the pills the following mixture should be tried:

Mixture For Jaundice

Take bromide of potassium, 1 dram; taraza-cum (dandelion) juice, 3 ounces; mix, and give a teaspoonful three times a day in water or gruel. This dose is for a dog about 20 lb. weight, for a 50 lb. or larger dog give a two teaspoonful dose. Benefit is also derived from the administration of 30 grains to 60 grains of sulphate of potassium in water. The dose may be repeated in twenty-four hours, but must not be continued long enough to cause excessive purging.

When, as in chronic inflammation, the liver is enlarged, the Liniment for Sprains, equal parts of spirits of turpentine, liquid ammonia (not the strongest), laudanum and rape oil, well rubbed round the region of the diseased organ, or a strong mustard plaster applied. Another method of affording relief is to take a piece of flannel, dip it in hot water, wring the water out, pour some spirit of turpentine over the material, and apply to the affected part. It is very important that the bowels should be freely relieved at the outset, and if the means advised above prove unsuccessful, it would be well to resort to clysters of oatmeal gruel and castor oil. The diet is very important throughout the attack. Must be light and nourishing, and in a fluid or sloppy form. Boiled wheat flour, with beef tea or mutton broth, is very good. Keep dog warm, dry, and disturbed as little as possible.