Kennel Notes.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 8, 7 May 1920, Page 11

Kennel Notes.

Entries for the Invercargill Kennel Clnb Show require to be made on or before Saturday, May 8, as that is the date of closing entries. Mr Jas. Lilico informs ns that he has had a rare breeding season with his working collies and althcugh in possession of a large number of pups he is unable at present to fulfill a fresh order owing to all his pups having been sold in advance. The demand for Lilico working collies is always great, but at present the demand for exeeeds the supply. Mr Eric Hay of Waikiwi, informs us that at the present time he has a very strong kennel of cocker spaniels. Two pups by Papanui Surprise — Red Ribbon show much promise. Oue being black and white, the other blueroan and tan. Papanui Surprise is perhaps the best coloured cocker in the North Island at the present time, having done a lot of winning in the best of company. We hope that all dog fanciers will rise to the occassion and give the new Kennel Club a good start. Enter your dog even though he may not be a crack-a-jack remembering that you are helping along the fancy. A dog owner asks adviee re ear tronble, so in answer we give the following advice: —

EAR CANKER. Ear canker is a disease which is particularly common amongst sporting dogs, and perhaps no variety is more susceptible to it than the spaniel. There are two kinds of ear canker — internal and external. The earliest symptoms ' of the approach of canker is frequent shaking of the head, or holding the head on one side, or violent seratching of one or both ears. Redness of the integument, or covering inside the ear, is observed, and particularly that portion of it which covers the annular cartilage. This is usually accompanied by some enlargement of the folds of the skin. As soon as any of thesa symptoms are observed, the ear should be gently but well-washed out two or three times a day, with lukewarm water, and after that, a weak solution of "formalin" should be applied and a few doses of cooling medicine administered. If the disease is neglected, the pain will rapidly increase. The ear will become greatly inflamed and of an intenser red; the folds of the integument will become enlarged, and there will be a deposit of red or black matter in the hollow of the ear. When such symptoms appear the case is becoming serious, and should receive immediate attention. The red or black deposit should be gently but carefully washed away with lukewarm water and soap, and after this one of the wellknown cures should be frequently applied, such as formalin, extract of lead, the latter in the proportion of a scruple to an ounce of water, until the inflammation is abated. I have found formalin, a most reliable and speedy specific. It is necessary with this, as with all other cures, to first cleanse the ear of all offensive. deposit, then take half a pint of lukewarm water and add to it one teaspoonful of formalin. Pour a little of the solution into the ear, about a teaspoonful will usually be sufficient, then close the ear and mould it gently untiK the liquid has insinuated itself as deeply as possible into the passage of the ear, after which carefully dry the ear and dust with boracic powder. This is a very simple but effective remedy if persevered with, and in ordmary cases of ear canker a very handy remedy. If the disease is neglected entirely in the first stages, ulceration will surely result. It will be found lodged deep in the passage, and can only be detected by moulding the ear Occasionally the inflammation becames so great as to cause the integument to swell to such an extent that the ear is perfectly closed np. This form of the disease is annoying, and extremely painful to the animal, and it is much thebetferjplan to secnre the services of a veterinary snrgeon, as after all, no mild ointment or lotion will dispose such an ulcer to heal. I have seen several cases of this- par-

ticular kind of canker in New Zealand, and in one or two instances much difficulty has been experienced in effecting a cure even by veterinary aid. External canker is a mangy inflammation of tbe edges of the ears, often accompanied by much heat and scurfiness of the skin. Several dressings of snlphur ointment, with an eighth-part of inercurial ointment, will usually effect a cure. In all cases when dogs show signs of ear canker, they should be given a course of cooling medicine.