Prescription for Your Brittany's Health

Of all skin afflictions, perhaps the most difficult is the non­parasitic summer condition often called summer eczema. As the name implies the disease occurs in summer months causing itching, usually starting on the back above the base of the tail and spreading up the back. Often hair falls out in varying degrees. With the hair loss, inflamed skin is visible. Since this is a difficult problem consult your veterinarian. In some cases a fungicidal powder is useful as a preventa­tive and may be combined with a flea powder.

Not unusual is an infection of the outside of the lower lips just behind the position of the upper canine teeth when the jaw is closed. This is an extremely persistent infection due to the fact that a seepage of saliva may keep the area moist allowing bacteria to flourish which could not if the area were kept dry. Ointments massaged into the areas are ef­fective and your veterinarian will provide the proper treat­ment.

A Brittany's feet are all important and must be kept in running shape. If your dog does not exercise enough to wear his nails down then you must cut them as necessary. Cut them little and often-not short and infrequently as a short cut may cause pain and bleeding. Rashes which may hinder the dog's performance do occur between the pads of the feet and should be treated in the early stages.

Another difficulty in the Brittany as with any dog is constipation. This condition is easily prevented by proper diet and when present in the otherwise healthy animal is almost invariably caused by eating bones. An occasional beef rib bone will clean the teeth but other than that they are a use­less ingredient in the diet. Constipation is easily recog­nized by persistent unsuccessful attempts at stooling. Some­times several tablespoonfuls of mineral oil fed to the dog will help as will adult glycerine suppositories inserted rectal­ly. If these do not work in six hours, let your veterinarian handle the problem.

A problem which must not be treated lightly is that of convulsions. They may be caused by improper feeding or by worms, neither of which are too serious. Epilepsy which is not well understood as well as infectious diseases may also cause convulsions. The first two causes are easily corrected, the third may be helped, and the last is usually fatal. Still another condition which is often serious is a nasal infection. It may be caused by virus diseases or bacterial in­fections. In either case this symptom should be a signal for immediate action.

In this day and age of new chemicals for killing pests, there are more and more opportunities for your dog to be poisoned. Some poisons are almost invariably fatal-even when treated minutes after ingestion. Food and garbage poisoning is also a serious menace. If you are aware of such poisoning and cannot get immediate treatment for your dog, give an adult three ounces of three percent hydrogen peroxide with three ounces of water and a proportionately smaller quantity to a puppy. This will cause an emptying of the stomach in a few minutes; however, seek the advice of your veterinarian as soon as possible. Symptoms of poison­ing are often chills, depression and sometimes vomit­ing; however, vomiting may be caused by the presence of a foreign body or by disease. Vomiting with diarrhea may indicate an advanced state of poisoning. Since diarrhea may be caused by diseases, parasitic, infectious and non-infecti­ous, do not attempt home diagnosis.

Beside the diseases and maladies already mentioned, acci­dents are always possible, minor ones, such as small ab­rasions and lacerations and major ones such as automobile accidents. For wounds, household peroxide (three percent) is an effective and safe antiseptic. In any case, if there is any doubt as to the severity of the condition, consult your veterinarian. Finally, let me say that this tough breed has less trouble with the maladies mentioned than most breeds. The in­formation is meant to enlighten, not to frighten, and so to help you help your dog.