Sick Dog
Few dogs pass through life without at least one illness during which the owner must give nursing care, and very often the animal’s recovery or the reverse depends to a large extent on the quality of the attention he receives. Canine patients differ from humans in that they cannot be kept in bed unless they are too weak to get out, and their cooperation has to be obtained by persuasion rather than by request. A human patient will submit to the unpleasantness of constant intramuscular injections of penicillin, for instance, because he knows it is for his own good, but a dog cannot be expected to reason in this way, and as some treatments given to sick dogs (inhalations, for example) are not welcomed by the patient the attendant may have a difficult time. On the whole, however, dogs even very young ones—make good patients provided they have confidence in their nurse and, not less important, in the veterinary surgeon. If a dog trusts his attendant he submits with quite good grace and often astonishing resignation and stoicism to many unpleasant measures, and even shows gratitude in a touching fashion.
When an animal is sufficiently ill to require nursing he should be put in a separate room or kennel, even if the malady is not infectious. The general hubbub of the kitchen or living-room is not restful, and every sick animal needs plenty of sleep and peace. This is particularly the case with distemper and hard some dogs spend most of their time sleeping during the early stages of the former and, in addition, the nervous system is often affected in both diseases and a noisy, restless environment may result in the dreaded distemper or hard-pad fits.
Much will depend on the time of year whether the dog is allowed out to relieve himself or not. If possible, house-trained dogs should always be taken out for this purpose (if necessary wearing a coat and on a lead to prevent undue excitement or exertion) as a very clean dog will suffer if forced to “misbehave” indoors. In hot summer weather the dog is probably better outdoors for part of the time provided he is not allowed to run about much (he could be kept in a small run) and is protected from strong sunlight. Ask your veterinary surgeon and be guided by what he says.
If the dog is not allowed out the floor of the room must be protected. If possible, carpets should be removed but if this is impracticable two thick layers of newspaper with a thin sprinkling of sawdust in between is usually sufficient.
Of course a kennel is much more practical, but it should be a large one of the shed type, in which there is room for a table, a good light, and ample space for handling. A cramped kennel in which it is impossible to stand upright is obviously not a suitable sick-room! House dogs will usually be nursed in a spare room, to which reference has already been made.
Whichever is used, good ventilation without a draught must be ensured. Stuffy sick-rooms are an abomination. In winter the temperature should be kept to 16°C. (60°F). A room thermometer is useful. Whatever form of heating is arranged, it must be absolutely safe. If it is impossible to arrange this, the dog can be kept perfectly warm with light rugs and hot water-bottles and, if necessary, he can wear a woolly coat. The hot water-bottle should be regularly refilled. If the dog is well enough to be out of his bed most of the time artificial heating will be necessary only in cold weather. Fresh air is essential and provided can be enclosed in a muslin bag which can be burnt when soiled.
Any treatment, simple or complicated, must be carried out with the unhurried speed which characterizes the good nurse. To ensure this, have everything ready beforehand. For example, for cleaning the animal you will need cottonwood, lint (for washing), a basin with Ditto and warm water at the correct temperature, a receiver for soiled material, talcum powder, zinc ointment, scissors (for long-haired dogs) and a thick towel to arrange under the hindquarters to keep the bed dry. These articles should be placed on a tray, the home equivalent of the hospital dressing trolley! The window should be shut if any process is likely to chill the patient, and a covered hot water- bottle afterwards is very comforting in cold weather. Handle the dog gently but firmly, supporting him if necessary for feeding and drinking, and be especially gentle in your care of the paralyzed patient. Remember that the patient unable to protect himself is easily bruised and injured just in the same way as a dog under anesthesia. These animals are particularly subject to bed-sores and must be turned every two hours or so, and their beds kept smooth and soft.
It is important in nursing a sick dog to do what is necessary and no more. In other words, leave the animal to sleep between food and treatment; undisturbed quiet is an essential part of recovery. Of course this does not mean neglect, such as leaving a dog for hours and hours in a wet bed with a cold bottle and a raging thirst. But there is always a great temptation to be over-attentive to the patient, especially if dearly loved, and self-control must be exercised by the nurse. Try to keep calm and cheerful, even if feeling the reverse, as dogs are very sensitive to the tone of voice.
The pulse is best felt in the femoral artery which crosses the thigh. The normal rate is between seventy and ninety beats per minute, smaller dogs having a faster rate than the bigger breeds.
After feeding, the mouth should be swabbed out with a weak solution of permanganate of potash and water, and this can be repeated every two or three hours during the day if the dog is feverish and thirsty. Sponging the face and head is very refreshing in hot weather and helps to reduce a high temperature. Try to put yourself in the dog’s place and foresee and prevent discomfort. To take a tiny example—bright sun shining into the dog’s eyes. Understanding, imagination and common sense are all qualities valuable in the canine nurse. Quiet is essential with nerve cases and, indeed, in any serious illness; if you have ever been ill yourself you will remember how irritating you found the banging door, the clattering footsteps and the loud voice.
Even when the patient is a pet dog it is useful to keep a daily report both for your veterinary surgeon’s sake and for your own. In a kennel it is still more important; it is so easy to forget some important symptom when there are a number of patients. So keep a brief daily report, giving temperatures, condition (for instance, whether having diarrhea, showing signs of pain or restlessness), state of the eyes (whether clear or discharging and painful), appetite (good or the reverse), whether drowsy or alert, and so on. Any new symptom should be noted in detail. Details of the treatment given are also useful, not to the veterinary surgeon perhaps, but to the owner.
Convalescence should be a leisurely affair, especially in the case of hard-pad and distemper where fits can make their appearance several weeks the symptom of an impending abortion is hemorrhage, usually fairly profuse but sometimes only slight, from the vagina at or about five weeks from the time of mating. Prevention of abortion is not always possible, although avoidance of accidents is, of course, an obvious measure. Bitches in whelp should not be allowed to indulge in riotous games with other dogs; a quiet life with no violent exercise or excitement is essential. Apart from accident, the cause must be found by the veterinary surgeon that must be consulted immediately hemorrhage is noticed. Expert treatment may prevent the threatened abortion, and if a bitch has once aborted without any apparent reason the veterinary surgeon should be consulted before the bitch is again mated. Pending professional treatment, the bitch must be kept absolutely quiet and if necessary given a sedative such as potassium bromide.