USE OF ARECOLINE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 154, 25 March 1939, Page 13

USE OF ARECOLINE

Hydatid Eradication

MODIFIED INSTRUCTIONS

[This is the third of a monthly series of articles bn Dr. E. IV. Dennett, of the Department of Hydatid Research, Medical School, Dunedin, It contains modifications of the instructions for the use of arecoline in dosing dogs. ] The majority of owners of dogs have entered with zest into the novel experiment of a mass trial of arecoline, and already the exiieriment has taught several things. On the one hand, it has served to demonstrate to many the efficiency of the drug and the vivid necessity of dosing dogs, and on the other it. has revealed room tor improvement in the instructions issued with the drug. There are also some misunderstandings to lie cleared up. and there have been many requests for further detail. First, some have misunderstood the normal effects of the drug, and have become needlessly alarmed. Some dogs salivate or slobber freely when dosed, whether with water or medicine, but this is a trifle of no importance whatsoever, unless it makes dosing more difficult, or causes the dog to throw up a mass of frothy saliva that he has swallowed. Vomiting is not a cause for alarm or a sign of pain, as dogs can vomit at will; the only importance is the loss of part of the dose if it occurs within the first live or ten minutes. Effect of Purging Medicine. Most clogs til or lie quietly after being dosed, and do not bark. After fifteen minutes or less they usually become uneasy walking restlessly round and round, thi a being due to the colicky effect of any purging medicine. Earlier than this they may try to throw the dose up, and steps should be taken to prevent this. The best wav from the dog’s point of view ns to give half a grain of chloretone (a drug worth knowing as a preventive of seasickness) half an hour before the arecoline. The simplest way, which most will prefer, is to tie or hold the head up high and tight, do that he caiinot put it down toward his feet; if he still tries, jerk his head, thump bis chest, and scold him. After, say, eight minutes. loosen his bead, for once the drug has entered the system he may be allowed to relieve the stomach of froth and perhaps worms. A mistake ha s .been made by some alter the dog has lost part of his dose by vomitiii,p or spilling; d.o not dose again at once, aFhe may then have anything up to a double dose. Instead, wait for half an hour at least, and then give half a dose. Dissolve the tablet or tablets in a tiny drop of water in a small bottle, and pour into the cheek as shown in the photograph on the card. The text does not mention a bottle, but the tablet bottle may be used, or better, an essence or aspirin bottle. This method is strongly recommended, partly because it is the neatest and most reliable, and at least as easy as any other, but chiefly because the results are better. Next Best Method. The next best method is to dissolve the tablets >n a very tiny drink of midi or gravy - the main objection to this is that it depends on the dog whether the medicine is taken or not. As a last resort, give the tablets in butter or fat, not in meat or cake; the objection here is that occasionally some of the drug may lodge in the mouth or throat and dissolve there, giving too strong an effect. An important qualification is called for in the case of dogs, specially valued dogs, suspected of weak heart. It is recommended that such dogs be given a sloppy diet with plenty of milk for a day or two beforehand, treated with paraffin or other laxative, starved for 24 hours, and then dosed with two-thirds of the recommended dose. Pedigree dogs, including those from pedigree stock, but not sold as such, also require a smaller dose, and exactly the same procedure is recommended. Because of their highly-strung nature, commonly with inbreeding and a pampered life, their tolerance to drugs is lessened, and a full dose of arecoline has in a few cases led to diarrhoea. The antidote for arecoline, in dogs or human beings, is atropine, the hypodermic dose for dogs being one to two-hundredths of a grain, but in case of diarrhoea the recommended treatment is five to fifteen minims of ehlorodyne in a drink of milk, according to weight. No such difficulties need be expected with mixed breeds, specially country collies, if instructions are closely followed. Working dogs can stand three tablets if two are insufficient, but the recommended dose should be tried first .as a larger one may defeat its own ends, for example, by inducing vomiting. At the other extreme, a third of a tablet instead of a half may prove sufficient for very tiny dogs weighing about three pounds.

REPLY BY RESEARCH OFFICER

Allegations Of Cruelty Dominion Special Service. HASTINGS, March 24. Allegations by the Canterbury and Wellington Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of cruelty to dogs in dosing them with arecoline hydrobromide for eradication of hydatids were replied to by Dr. E. W. Bennett, of the Hydatid Research Department of Otago Medical School, today. Dr. Bennett said that for the second time the society had been responsible for published reports of fatalities among dogs through the use of arecoline.

“The first report, by the Christchurch branch, which declined either to vouch for the accuracy of the statement or to publish any explanation, was examined by me trnd proved void of foundation other than floating rumours,” said Dr. Bennett. “Then the Wellington society made the .same allegation, and, according to published reports, the Canterbury delegale to the federation conference among various misstatements lias failed to deny or substantiate the Christchurch allegations, but blames the public aud the'card of instructions.

“Unless these societies prove or deny the allegations they will probably be regarded by the public as atlempring to obstruct a movement which is a thousandfold more important than the total activities to dale of these societies,” Dr. Bennelt concluded.