REAL DOG PLAGUE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3268, 26 May 1943, Page 3

REAL DOG PLAGUE

OUTBREAK OF DISTEMPER SERIOUS IN THE VALLEY PREVENTION AND TREATMENT Practical measures of prevention and treatment by which the ' present serious outbreak of distemper in dogs—a real dog plague —which is sweeping through the whole of the Thames Valley are givenby Dr. N. Siegel, veterinary surgeon to the Farmers’ Veterinary Club, in the following . contribution. Dr. Siegel writes as under: — “The question is of great importance nowadays when we are facing a serious labour problem on our farms and an intelligent well-trained dog means in the word of many farmers, as much as a good man on the farm. “Distemper is ah acute, highly infectious disease of dogs of variable severity, exhibiting very divergent symptoms. It is caused by an ultramicroscopic agent called ‘virus.’ This agent is so small as to be able to pass through filters which will hold back all known bacteria. The danger would appear to lie not so much in the disease itself, as in the fact that it lowers the animal’s resistance to such a degree that a secondary invasion by dangerous organisms usually takes place, causing various complications. Affects Young Dogs

“Distemper is' mostly met with in young dogs between eight weeks and one year, but if the dog has not had a mild attack of. distemper in his puppyhood he is liable to be infected at any age. One attack successfully overcome gives immunity for life. Well bred and imported dogs are the most susceptible ones. The disease is more prevalent in the cold foggy weather of the autumn and winter months.

.“The infection is caused through the dog coming in contact with another one which is either suffering or just recovering from the disease or through contact with contaminated utensils, such as dishes, rugs, etc.,

or kennels which have housed an infected animal. Symptoms of Distemper “Actually there is only one distemper disease, but the coniplications caused by germs other than those responsible for the primary infections cause its several forms and various symptoms. “The distemper cases encountered in this district are mostly: “(1) The catarrhal and form. “(2) The intestinal. “(3) Nervous form. “No symptoms may be seen during the so-called incubation period. This is for eight to 12 days from the moment the infection took place. Soon the symptoms develop into one of the different forms. The dog becomes dull, refuses his food dr takes only a little, doe§ not play, vomits and his nose is hot and dry which is a sign of fever. May Have a Cough “In the catarrhal form the eyes and nose run with a muco-purulent discharge. There may be a cough which is mostly due to bronchitis and in some cases to pneumonia. With this

there is considerable difficulty in respiration which often increases until the dog is taking only short gasps. “In the intestinal form there is loss of appetite with vomiting. A tmost offensive odour comes from the mouth and if such is examined the tongue is of dark colour and ulcers will be present inside the cheeks, along the gums and around the roots of the teeth. , “This is undoubtedly . the worst type of distemper. It is so serious that the treatment of it often defies the most experienced of veterinary, surgeons. Twitching of Muscles “A common symptom of the nervous form is a constant twitching !of the muscles of the lower jaw which makes his teeth chatter. As time passes the dog may get very unsteady on his legs. The hindquarters may lose their power and become partially or completely paralysed. “Treatment can be: (1) preventive, (2) curative. “The former should be done by the owners themselves. They should always be on the look-out to guard against infection. They should avoid contact with strange dogs which may look quite well and yet />e carriers of the infection. If a dog reveals symptoms he should be isolated from the rest of the team and the strictest precautions should be taken in. guarding the dogs from coming in contact with anything which is infected or suspected to be so. Good Nursing Important

“Good nursing is one of the most important factors in aiding recovery. Medicines are of little or no use without good nursing. It must be •borne in mind that the sick dog must be isolated and nursed, not for days, but for weeks. Always keep the dpg’s eyes clean by bathing them twice daily with warm water to which a little boracic powder has been added. The dog itself must be kept clean and the surroundings clean and dry. Put a warm jacket around his chest. Never leave food for any length of time in front of a sick dog, it puts him off rather than tempts

him to eat.< iGood food is very important. The diet should be light. “A teaspoonful of paraffn oil three times a week will keep his digestive system in order. Many dog owners believe in arecanut as a valuable drug in the treatment of the disease, The drug is coutrie, indicated in cases of incipient distemper, especially in the intestinal form. Tonics Will Be Needed “The various brands of children’s food, e.g., Horlicks, as well as raw or cooked minced meat, are the most suitable ones. They are nourishing and easily digestible. The assistance of a qualified veterinary surgeon, if procurable, is advised. “Should the dog recover he will require tonics and cod liver oil to build him up. Once over the disease if his nervous system has not been damaged he will probably he a stronger and more robust dog. It should however be borne in mind that the disease is a very serious one and one that sometimes defies the best care and treatment. “The Farmers’ Veterinary Club at Ngatea has available injections of anti-distemper serum and club members should advise the veterinary surgeon as soon as the first symptoms of sickness appear. The injection is very effective in the early stages of the disease.