Hydatid Disease: Dosing Dogs

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 5, Issue 94, 15 May 1957, Page 437

Hydatid Disease: Dosing Dogs

By

J. A. MILLER,

Livestock Instructor, Department of Agriculture, Blenheim

FOR many years the Departments of Agriculture and Health have drawn the attention I of owners of dogs, particularly those owning dogs in rural areas, to the great importance of feeding these animals on hydatid-free material only and of dosing them at quarterly intervals with the arecoline hydrobromide pills which are issued when dogs are registered every year. Every dog which has access to raw offal and is not dosed to have tapeworms removed is dangerous to humans and stock. Dogs carry hydatid worms, the eggs of which infect man or beast with this dreaded disease. In spite of newspaper articles, radio broadcasts, and other appeals the disease is increasing, simply because dog owners will not:—

1. Ensure that dogs do not have access to raw offal. 2. Dose their dogs every 3 months with arecoline. 3. Bury the purged material.

HOUGH under the Meat Act the x practice is illegal, many owners still feed raw livers and lungs to their dogs when sheep are killed on the farm, thus reinfecting them with hydatid tapeworms. Losses from

hydatid disease are increasing The most distressing aspect is the human suffering and death which ensue. Economic loss through the condemnation of exportable meat products, such as livers, is now estimated to amount

to about £l£ million, per annum. The incidence of the disease in humans and stock will increase if those who control dogs continue to neglect the simple procedures advised. One of the factors which contribute to dog owners putting off the dosing “until tomorrow” is that most dogs do not swallow arecoline readily and dosing becomes difficult. However, if the dosing is carried out in the following manner, it will be found that the difficult animal can be dosed quite easily. The illustrations show each stage and should be followed carefully: — 1. Tie the dog to a fence on clear ground where purged material can be seen and buried later. 2. The dog must be taken out to the end of the chain and turned round facing the post to which it is tied. The chain must be tight so that the dog cannot get further back. The chain attached to the collar must be under the dog’s throat and not behind the head.

3. The owner stands over the dog’s back, with legs preventing the dog from, moving sideways and his left hand on its chest to prevent it moving forward, so that with the chain tight it is fairly well fixed. The owner’s right hand is placed under the dog’s jaws, with the head held up and ready for dosing. However, the thumb must not be held over the dog’s nose and its mouth closed, as a dog does not swallow well with the mouth closed. 4. The person giving the dose puts his right hand on the dog’s head and grips the nose with thumb and fingers. A good thumb grip is required. The liquid is then placed in the open jaws. 5. The skin of the throat is taken in the left hand and pulled well out for 2 seconds, during which time the dog swallows. The right hand tilts the dog’s head back at the same time. This instruction can be carried out in less time than it takes to read it, and a dog held in such a manner with the throat skin well pulled out must swallow.

Some dogs vomit when water is used and such dogs should be tried with tablets dissolved in glycerine instead of water. A dog can be prevented from vomiting by being held up for a second or two by the chain (see above). The dog should be held up smartly as it attempts to vomit and released smartly after the stomach contents return from the throat. If the first three attempts are checked, most dogs do not try again. The animal should not be held up for more than 5 seconds each time, as a dog chokes quickly.

A vicious dog can be dosed by placing a lasso of light rope over the upper and lower jaws and tightening it after a stick about lin. in diameter has been placed crosswise in the mouth behind the tusks (as shown at right). If well tightened and tied, the lasso cannot be removed by the dog’s front claws. It is always advisable to hold the front legs to prevent being scratched.

Dogs must be tied in a clear place for dosing, but should not be left out too long in the hot sun afterward and

should not be worked hard immediately after dosing. Container for Dosing The metal dust cap from the air valve on an old model car wheel, or a piece of copper pipe corked at one end (above), is useful for holding the dose, as the dog cannot break it. The tablets should be placed in this container, slightly warm (not hot) water added to three-quarter fill it (about 1 tablespoon), and the tablets ground down with a piece of wire (above). If the dog does vomit in spite of efforts to prevent it, it may still purge overnight. If it does not purge in 24 hours, dose it again next day, watch it closely, and prevent vomiting. Alternatively, if the dog has vomited and has not purged in 2 hours after dosing, the dose can be repeated with half the original amount.

Leading the dog round on the chain after dosing will help the arecoline to work. Tablets given whole and dry or given in meat do not give as quick a purge as those dissolved in water, and purging may not take place until 2 or 3 hours after dosing. If the tablets are inserted in meat, the “doctoring” of the meat must be done out of sight of the dog. Dose Rates The dose rates for various types of dogs are: — Farm collies: 4 months, 3 tablet. 6 months, 1 tablet. 12 to 18 months, l-> to 2 tablets according to the size of the dog. Over 18 months, 2 tablets or 3 for large dogs. Terriers, spaniels: 1 or 2 tablets according to the size of the dog. Great Danes: 3 to 4 tablets. The lethal dose of arecoline hydrobromide is at least eight times the doses advised. Finally, dog owners must not overlook the following points: — 1. Do not dose a dog that is sick. .2. Starve the dog for 24 hours before dosing. This means, as most dogs are fed once daily, that dosing is carried out shortly before feeding time, which can be delayed accordingly. 3. Dogs to be dosed must be rested beforehand. They must not be worked for at least 4 hours after purging has finished.