Running Sore On Leg

"On the fleshy part of my pointer's hind-leg is a running sore, in size about two inches by one inch, and at the top of the sore is a light-colored fluid. Please prescribe."

Answer

"Inject equal parts of peroxide of hydrogen and water three times a day for three days; then discontinue and sponge the sore three times a day with a solution of sulphate of copper, one dram, water one ounce."

Kennel Sores Or Callous Growths

Dogs are sometimes afflicted with kennel sores on hips and hocks, elbows, etc. They should be attended to at once. Boracic acid ointment should be applied. Callous growths on elbows and joints must be kept softened with vaseline or whale oil.

Fungus Growths On Mouth Or Tongue

"My cocker spaniel has been troubled lately with canker in the mouth and on the tongue. This comes in spots, which enlarge until the several spots join together; it looks like a fungus growth, not a sore, but on the mushroom order. Please prescribe."

Answer

"Touch the spots once daily, for four days, with lunar caustic; care being taken not to allow any to run on his tongue, and only one to be treated at a time."

Fever Mixture

Every kennel man should keep a good fever mixture on his kennel shelf. A chill or cold is indicated by hot, dry nose, shivering and lassitude, dull eyes, with more or less discharge from nose and eyes. If attended to at once serious complications may often be avoided. Dogs going to and from shows are subjected to many extreme changes of temperature during express transportation, and a quinine pill will usually ward off any ill effects. If, however, the symptoms described develop, the following fever mixture should be given: Powdered nitre one dram, sweet spirits of nitre one-half ounce, Mindereruos' spirits one-half ounce, wine of antimony one dram, water four ounces. Terriers and dogs over 15 pounds up t,o" pointers and setters should be given a tablespoonful in a Tattle gruel every four hours.

Bone Swallowed

If a dog has swallowed a small bone, a chicken splinter, for instance ,and shows signs of trouble, it is a good plan to give a bolus of mashed potato or soft crumb bread. This will generally aid the passage of the bone.

'Age To Spay Bitches

"At what age is it best to spay a bitch? Can a person perform the operation himself? If so, shall be thankful for the information on how to proceed?"

Answer

"The operation of spaying a bitch is usually undertaken at the age of four to six months. I do not advise such an interference with Nature, however. Upon maturity the spayed bitch or castrated dog becomes unduly fat and lazy, and lacks enthusiasm, ambition and sagacity. Most assuredly such an operation must be attended to by a competent veterinrian. Clipping Overgrown Toe Nails. - Toy dogs that have little or no exercise out of doors and do not get a chance to get their nails wore down by contact with the street are often troubled with this, and neglected cases where the nails curl around and grow into the flesh are very painful, fester, causing soreness and lameness. Cut off the ends of the nails with a pair of sharp nippers, that you can buy at any hardware store - but not too close. Do this same as you do your finger nails, but with your dog do it about every two weeks, avoiding cutting into the quick part, you can easily do this right.by being careful.

Dogs Killing Chickens

Should your dog acquire this very bad habit you can break him of it, which you should do at once, as he has no right to do this, and perhaps cause trouble with you and your neighbors. Catch him in the act, give him a good whipping and then take the chicken he has killed and fasten it securely around his neck so he can't scratch it oft', and make him wear this chicken for a necklace for a week, or until the chicken has become so decayed that the odor will cause him such an intense dislike for fowl that anything else would smell more sweet. This is an infallible cure if you can fasten chicken on so securely that he can't get rid of it.

Rheumatism

Terrier dog, about four years, has gradually developed great weakness in the hind-quarters. He shakes when he is standing and can only just manage to get on to a low chair, dragging the hack legs up behind him. His appetite is good and he is in good condition, and his bowels are all right. He can run quite well, but walks rather stiffly. He sleeps a good deal. Rather small, weight about 20 lbs.

Answer

In all probability this weakness is due to rheumatism, and I advise you to first give some medicine for this, say, a five grain tabloid of aspirin three times a day after food. This may be continued for four or five days or even a week, then afterwards give a nerve stimulant if the dog is still weak in the legs, as two drops of tincture of nux vomica in a dessertspoonful of water three times a day after food. Keep the bowels open, and avoid meat for a time. See Rheumatism).

Sore Feet In Hunting Dogs

Dogs that travel much on hard, dry roads, as Dalmatians often do, and sporting dogs hunting over rough ground, short stubble, or stumpy heather, are apt to get the spongy, elastic pads of the feet contused and worn thin. The treatment depends on the extent of the injury.

If the case is severe, first apply a poultice of half bran and half boiled turnips. Sometimes the inflammation is great, and the feet become swollen, hot, and painful, so that the dog cannot stand, and the general health suffers. Feverishness and loss of appetite reduce his strength, matter forms in the feet, or the soles slough off. In such cases linseed meal should be added to the other ingredients of the poultice, and a little olive oil poured over its surface. The dog should have a mild aperient, a dose of fever mixture three or four times a day, and be kept on a light diet. It may be necessary, for the more speedy relief of the dog, to let the matter out with the lanset, and in all respects these cases should be treated as ulcers. Dogs long confined should not be at once run much on hard roads or worked on rough ground, but their feet gradually hardened by daily increased exercise.