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Conjunctivitis is treated mainly by the application of suitable antiseptics and healing agents, either in liquid or ointment form. Often the veterinarian will inject certain protein substances into the body to assist in the healing process. These substances cause an artificial increase in the production of white blood cells, and these white blood cells are the good soldiers of the blood that help to fight infection. In some cases, bacteriological examinations of the eye discharge may be made in order to identify the causative organisms, and then the specific drugs which can eradicate them may be applied. Such wonder drugs as penicillin, aureomycin and terramycin have proved very useful in these diseases. Where conjunctivitis is a secondary complication, the elimination of the primary condition usually results in the disappearance of the conjunctivitis.
The animal that is always in a state of semidiscomfort may in time lose its desire to live. Of paramount importance are good hygiene, proper feeding, and frequent grooming.
Although paralysis in dogs may occur in the jaws, forelegs, or in groups of muscles in other parts of the body, the most common manifestations are in the hind legs. Paralysis of the hind legs is known as posterior paralysis. The attack may be rather mild, in which case it is often transitory in nature and is readily amenable to routine treatment. Conversely, the attack may be rather severe, in which case it may be entirely resistant to the entire gamut of medical alternatives. Posterior paralysis is ordinarily caused by pressure, injury, or degeneration of the nerves or the part of the spinal cord that are associated with the proper functioning of the hind limbs. Thus the condition may come about as a result of a back injury, a spinal growth, or an intestinal obstruction. Also it may result from obscure nervous diseases, senility, a heavy tick infestation, or from certain infectious diseases such as distemper.
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Conjunctivitis may be caused by infection, injury, dust or chemical irritation, or, as indicated above, it may be a secondary symptom of other primary conditions such as rabies, distemper, and many other infectious or parasitic diseases. It also appears commonly as a secondary symptom of various types of stomach upsets, and usually is one of the first indications of any indisposition of the animal. That is why the veterinarian always checks the eyes during a routine examination.
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Mumps refers to a type of abscess that merits special attention. It has to do with the socalled parotid glands, which are salivary glands lying in a diffuse area behind and slightly below the ears. An inflammation of these glands is parotitis, or, as it is popularly known, mumps. It may occur in both acute and chronic forms. In the acute involvement, the outcome is usually favorable, whereas the chronic form is much less responsive to treatment.
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Convulsions in their most typical form are characterized by champing of the jaws, foaming at the mouth, falling on the side, involuntary passage of urine and stool, violent shaking movements over the whole body, then moaning, barking, and wild running about, and finally complete collapse or depression. They may occur in varying degrees of severity and any or all of the symptoms stated may present themselves in any one attack. Often, in spite of mild or severe attacks, many animals may appear quite normal between attacks. None the less, a convulsion is a very significant and often ultimately fatal symptom, and no effort at any extensive home treatment should be attempted. A mild sedative such as an aspirin will never do any harm, but it is rather unlikely that it will do any good. A convulsion is a veterinary problem.
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