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The fairly thin tongue of the dog is used mainly for guiding food to the throat, for licking the coat clean, and for perspiration. When a dog is overheated, it cools off by hanging its tongue out and panting. As it pants, the evaporation of perspiration from its tongue cools the animal. The dog also sweats through the pads on its paws and--slightly--through its skin.
In the same way as in other domestic animals, the age of dogs can be ascertained mainly on the basis of an examination of the teeth. For various reasons this method is not as reliable in dogs as in other domestic animals, and therefore the determination of age in this manner in dogs must be considered at best only an approximation.
The male dog has certain peculiar structural characteristics that are related to copulation. There is a bone in the penis of male dogs that assists the animal in achieving and maintaining an erection. There is a socalled “bulb” in the male penis, which after entrance into the female swells enormously and causes these animals to be “locked” together after emission occurs. There is no pain or danger associated with this “locking.” Usually it lasts from a few minutes to a few hours, with the average time being about twenty minutes. The owner should not interfere at this point, but allow nature to take its course. Veterinary intervention is rarely necessary.
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Uremia is an acute, usually fatal disease, characterized by the accumulation of urinary products in the blood stream. It is caused by the breakdown of kidney tissue with the result that the proper functioning of the kidney is disrupted and waste materials that should go into the formation of urine become absorbed into the blood instead. The disease may occur in animals of all ages but is much more common in old ones.
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As tartar accumulates and gum irritation becomes more severe, a repulsive odor of decaying tissue comes from the animal’s mouth. If the animal is further neglected, it is observed to eat cautiously because of the pain caused by the pressure of the food against the loose teeth and the irritated gums. The absorption of poisonous substances that result from the decaying tissue may cause toxic reactions in the dog, with symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, and general depression.
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Diuretics—drugs that will stimulate urination—are given in the form of ascorbic acid and certain arsenicals. The most effective measure is to have the abdominal fluid tapped, giving the animal immediate relief, so that it will get along very well for a period of from two weeks to about two months, depending upon the degree of tissue destruction. Within this period the abdominal fluid will usually return, at which time the animal must be tapped again. The owner is advised that the animal may pass away at any time either during or between tappings.
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