Influenza in Gats.

Manawatu Herald, 18 April 1899, Page 2

Influenza in Gats.

* Thi Wowing letter appears in " the Poop:«." Sir, —l; imiy interest your iuflden ill ivaders to learn .tut. during tha past, few weeki X Have received numerous commutiica. .iouj from various parts of the country upon the question of influeozi io oats— as to how the syrap. loms may be recognised. It v impossible lor me to reply to each oorreapon lant. ; so I wiH, sir, with your kiud permission, detail a few of he more common indications by which the disease may he detected. In the. fi:dt place, I would observe ■-hat the cat " mopes," refuses food, md scarcely attempts to drink milk. In addition to "ibid a watery discharge of saliva hangs ftoin each side of the inou h, the eyelids are red and swollen, and in sum} cases become wholly or partially closed, accompanied by an offansive discharge from the coruer of each eye. There is also a very objectionable sticky discharge of " mucus " from the nose, which blocks up the nostrils, ihu* causing difficulty of breathing -the animal opening its mouth in ite efforts to breathe. The cat thtn endeavours to clear away this discharge from its mouth and eyed with its. paws, tad ih&b from the nose ia cleared by violent fics of sneezing, when the /* dischagefs blown out, and is spread fir and wide over the tables, &\ From inability to eat. the oat soon becomes very enriciated and weak — scarcely able to stand. It is now chat the danger set in ! The animalis petted, fondled, and caressed by members of the family, especially childreu, and ut a m>imn*, too, when the room is charged wiibrgeruiß * oi the disease. How often have I <een children and adults kissing sickly animals ! If therefore, contagion may hi contracted from kisa-> ing the Bible in Liw Courts, bow much more danger do people expose ihomselveg to by fondling, handling, and even kissing an animal suffering from what may be a most virulent form of " iuflueozi!' Thank* ing you for giving publicity toaqueßoiou of vital importance to every household.— l am, sir, youra faith, fully, War J. Arkcoix, M.R.O.V.S L , veterinary and caoiaa surgeon--152, Qieen'd rd., B^yswater, W.