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Invalid Dogs: Inhalations and Diet

These can be exceedingly unpopular with canine patients but are nevertheless prescribed quite frequently for catarrhal infections, such as are found in distemper.

A narrow vessel (for example, a jug or stone jar) is well warmed in the oven, rinsed out with boiling water and refilled with boiling water plus the medicament chosen. This is usually Friar's Balsam or eucalyptus. Friar's Balsam may stain the vessel so eucalyptus (one teaspoonful to the pint) is preferable. Hold the dog's head over the steam so that he inhales it. The animal must be held firmly throughout (usually for periods of 3-5 minutes, two, three or four times a day) in case he scalds himself.

Another excellent method of treatment by inhalation is the bronchitis kettle, familiar to most mothers. This resembles an ordinary kettle but the spout is about two feet long. The kettle should be kept boiling on a small stove or spirit-lamp and the spout directed to the dog's bed. A tea-chest placed on its side with wire over the front so that the dog cannot get out makes a splendid "steam tent" for a small patient. Travelling boxes can be adapted for this purpose. The kettle should be placed near the box with the spout directed at the opening, and a rug can be thrown over part of the front in order to concentrate the vapour. One or two teaspoonfuls of Friar's Balsam can be added to the water in the kettle. This treatment should be carried out for about 10 minutes at a time, and repeated 2 or 3 times daily.

Nasal drops are sometimes prescribed. Most of these act by contracting the blood vessels in the lining of the nose, thereby reducing the inflammation and congestion. The dog's head should be tilted well back and a medicine dropper, procurable from any chemist, is often preferable to the one supplied with the drops, which is sometimes rather large for easy insertion into a dog's small nostrils.

Diets for Invailid Dogs

A diet for a sick or convalescent dog should be light, palatable and nourishing. Broadly speaking, there is no necessity to feed dogs at night as uninterrupted sleep will be of far more benefit.

It would obviously be a mistake, however, for the stomach to be overloaded with one or two large meals with which the digestive organs are unable to deal, so several small meals should be given. Milk, although very nourishing and a great stand-by, is not always suitable by itself and may have to be modified with Benger's. Sometimes milk food made from one of the powdered full-cream infant foods is relished when ordinary milk fails to appeal. Baked custards (made with eggs) are usually much appreciated. Unless contraindicated, glucose can be added to all milky dishes. As it requires no digestion before assimilation it is a very valuable food. Far ex, milk puddings, crushed cornflakes and milk and Brand's Essence are all useful items in invalid diet. Brand's Essence is of particular value in cases of weakness, debility and prostration.

When diarrhoea is present give white fish boiled in milk, raw chopped meat in very small quantities and boiled rabbit can be given in convalescence. Eggs are more easily digested when given beaten up with milk, lightly boiled, or in custards. Barley water is best in kidney cases. Some of the lighter breakfast foods - cornflakes, rice crisps, and so on - bridge the gap between very light invalid food and more solid diet. The change from one to the other should always be gradual, particularly where there has been diarrhoea and vomiting.

Sometimes strong black coffee or brandy mixed with milk is advised when prostration or collapse is present. Do not be tempted to give too much at one time - a very sick dog should have only a few teaspoonfuls every two or three hours. Keep all spoons and dishes very clean and never leave food in the sick-room. Avoid rich, indigestible foods such as herrings, sardines, and whale meat. Obviously dog biscuit should not be given. Rusks or lightly baked brown bread make a good substitute as convalescence progresses.

Dietary supplements containing vitamins are particularly important to the convalescent animal. The most necessary vitamins at this time are A, B complex and D. A comprehensive supplement such as Vivomin (Crookes) is the best way of supplying these essential factors. Fresh raw or lightly cooked liver is a rich source of the vitamin B complex. If liver is used be sure that it is absolutely fresh, and if such a supply is unobtainable one of the very good liver extracts on the market may be used instead. Do not use dried liver or liver meal.

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