Diseases and Problems incidental to the Brood Bitch

Diseases and Problems incidental to the Brood Bitch

FAILURE TO BREED can have its origin in simple lack of oestrus or in conditions peculiar to the genital tract, e.g. metritis

(including cervicitis) and vulvo-vaginitis (see previous chapter). Specific bacterial infections such as Brucellosis can also

occur.

Animals which fail to exhibit a normal season may respond to the remedy SEPIA 30c which, as we have said earlier, has

the power to regulate the entire genital function. Three doses at monthly intervals has been successful in many instances.

A single dose of PITUITRY 30c will reinforce this.

BRUCELLOSIS

This infection has been reported in some kennels and is manifested by abortion at about seven weeks and also in a failure

to breed afterwards. If this disease is proved to be present, all bitches should be given a course of BRUCELLA NOSODE 30c

using the combined strains of abortus, melitensis and canis. One dose per month for three months should be administered

to each bitch. Animals which have already been infected should receive a single dose together with a daily dose of HEPAR

SULPH 30c for two weeks. This will prove helpful in eliminating residual infection.

Non-specific abortions may also occur and those bitches which have a history of miscarriage should receive SEPIA 30c,

one dose per month for three months, before subsequent mating. Once they have been mated and are thought to be in

whelp, the following remedies will reduce the risk of miscarriage occurring 1. VIBURNUM OP. 30c and 2. CAULOPHYLLUM

30c. The former is more suitable in the early stages, e.g. about two weeks gestation, while the latter produces a more

favourable result later in pregnancy. A single dose of Viburnum should suffice while two doses of Caulophyllum a week

apart after the fourth week is sufficient.

Post-abortion discharges will yield to one or other of the following remedies.

1. SABINA 6c. Discharges are heavily blood-stained, the blood being bright red. There is a tendency to retention of placen-

tal material.

2. SECALE 30c. The blood is dark and fluid. The animal has a thin shrivelled appearance and is dehydrated. Extremities are

cold.

3. SEPLA 30c. A useful remedy when there is a tendency to prolapse and the bitch is weak and listless. Discharges may or

may not be present.

4. HYDRASTIS 30c. More useful in 'clean' abortions where the discharge is non-haemorrhagic and mainly muco-purulent.

5. LILIUM TIG. 30c. Discharges are thick, dark and clotted. There is severe straining accompanying diarrhoea and/or

dysentery.

6. IPECACUANHA 30c. If bright red blood is passed in frequent gushes this remedy is probably more useful than any other.

7. PULSATILLA 30c. A suitable remedy for the affectionate bitch which shows changeability of symptoms, e.g. discharges

alternating from haemorrhagic to muco-purulent

CARE OF BITCH DURING PREGNANCY

Apart from normal diet and exercise, the administration of certain remedies will ensure the maintenance of pregnancy

and reduce the likelihood of a difficult parturition. These include the following:

1. VIBURNUM OP. 30c. As we have already noted, this remedy given in the first two weeks of pregnancy helps to prevent

miscarriage and is more suitable for animals which have shown a history of this

2. CAULOPHYLLUM 30c One dose of this remedy should be given every two weeks with a final dose during the last week.

ails to dilate properly, it will bring about relaxation if given fre-

If there is difficulty at parturition with an os uteri which

quently for a few doses, e.g. one dose every half hour for four doses.

3. ARNICA 30c. Two doses of this remedy should be given in the final week of pregnancy. It will reduce the likelihood of

damage to tissues at whelping and facilitate normal delivery. It should also be used post-partum when it will be instru-

mental in restoring tone to the birth canal.

4. SEPLA 30c. A single dose of this remedy after whelping will ensure that the uterus quickly returns to normal and will

thus prevent straining and tendency to prolapse.

ECLAMPSIA. LACTATION OR PUERPERAL TETANY

This condition occurs occasionally and produces a tetany of muscles together with involvement of CNS. It is more com-

mon in bitches of small breeds, and is associated with large litters and a plentiful supply of milk.

ETIOLOGY. This is related to the calcium metabolism and has its origin in malfunction of the parathyroid gland. The excit-

ing cause is a drop in the blood calcium level together with a correspondingly high Phosphorus level

CLINICAL SIGNS. Symptoms generally appear about 10 to 14 days after parturition, occasionally later. The bitch soon be-

comes distressed, showing increased difficulty in respiration with anxiety and possibly whimpering. Signs of nervousness

appear such as restlessness and excitement. Stiffness of movement occurs as a result of the upset Ca. metabolism. This

leads to an inability to stand with rigidity of leg muscles apparent. True muscular tremors are seen, and these eventually

lead to involvement of the CNS when convulsions set in. At this stage generalised constitutional signs appear such as dis-

coloration of visible mucous membranes, high temperature and increased pulse of a wiry nature.

TREATMENT. The subcutaneous or intravenous injections of suitable Ca. salts generally bring about resolution but these

measures should be supplemented by the use of the following remedies:

1 BELLADONNA 200. 2. ACONITE 12x. 3. CALC. PHOS. 30c. 4. CURARE 30c 5. STRAMONIUM 30c. 6. HYOSCAMUS

30c

PREVENTION OF PUERPERAL TETANY

There is less likelihood of the condition arising if the bitch is given a short course of CALC PHOS. 30c, one per day after

parturition is completed, together with a single dose of PARATHYROID 30c. This should help stabilise the Ca. metabolism

and prevent undue loss in the milk. If there has been a history of previous attacks the administration of CALC. PHOS. 30c

during pregnancy, one dose per week for the second month, will be an additional insurance.

DISEASES OF THE MAMMARY GLANDS

a) ACUTE MASTITIS. This condition is sometimes seen following parturition when one or more glands become swollen,

hot and tender to the touch. The milk becomes curdled and yellow after a while, and in neglected cases discoloration of

the mammary region occurs. The bitch is obviously in pain and discomfort and has an anxious expression.

TREATMENT. The following remedies have all proved useful:

1. ACONITUM 12x. Should be given in the early stages if possible. It will reduce anxiety and help calm the patient.

2. BELLADONNA 200c. Indicated when the glands are swollen, hot and tense. Constitutional symptoms such as dilated

pupils and a full bounding pulse are present. Increased sensitivity or hyper-excitability may be seen.

3. APIS MEL. 30c. If the condition is seen at the stage of oedematous swelling soon after parturition, this remedy will help

by reducing the tissue fluid and easing the pain.

4. PHYTOLACCA 30c. This is a valuable remedy as it has a selective action on the mammary gland. The inflammation may

take the form of nodular patches of hard tissue while clots in the milk usually disappear under its influence.

5. BRYONIA 30c. Useful remedy when the gland is excessively hard while there may be an attendant constipation and res-

piratory upset such as pleurisy. General stiffness of limbs is present.

6. HEPAR SULPH. 200c. This remedy should be given when the bitch exhibits external aversion to touch indicating exces-

sive tenderness and pain. Mammary secretion is probably thin and purulent.

7. URTICA URENS 1x. This remedy will help promote the flow of milk after acute symptoms have died down and the glands

are returning to normal.

8. S.S. C. 30c. This is a compound remedy containing Sulphur, Silicea and Carbo Veg. It was first proved useful in the

treatment of mastitis in cattle. The milk usually contains small pinhead size clots and the remedy is more useful in the

less acute phase.

9. PYROGEN 1M. This remedy will be useful when constitutional involvement such as septicaemia arises. Indications

for its use are a high temperature accompanying a weak thready pulse; a disagreeable odour is present with a cold body

surface.

FOOTNOTE. B.B.U. 30c. This is a combination of Belladonna, Bryonia and Urtica Urens. It has proved useful in acute cases.

b) MAMMARY TUMOURS. These are frequently seen in the bitch which has not been spayed and commence as small

nodular lumps varying in size from a pea to a walnut. At first benign, they have a tendency to become malignant as they

develop.

Treatment is normally surgical but the following remedies may keep them in check in the early stages when they are

beginning to develop:

1. PHYTOLACCA 30c. This remedy has an important action on the mammary tissue and will prove useful in reducing the

size and hardness of the growth.

2. CONIUM 30c. A useful remedy when there are accompanying swellings of lymph glands and signs of muscular weak-

ness. More suitable for the older animal.

3. JODUM 30c. Tumours are mainly superficial together with shrinking of mammary tissue when lodum is indicated. The

subject most suited to this remedy may be thin with a dry shrivelled-looking coat and possessing a voracious appetite. Su-

perficial lymph glands are small and hard.

4. BROMIUM 30c. The left side of the mammary area is more affected when this remedy is indicated. Pressure over the

glands is resented. There are accompanying respiratory symptoms such as coughing and nasal discharge.

5. PLUMBUM IOD. 30c. May be needed when there are attendant symptoms of paresis or incipient paralysis. The glands are

usually stone hard and constipation is a constant feature.

6. SCROPHULARIA NODOSA 30c. This remedy has a beneficial effect on the glandular system generally, and has given good

results in helping to disperse small nodular growths.

7. CARCINOSIN 200c. This is the carcinoma nosode and should be given as an additional remedy. A single dose should

suffice when combined with the appropriate remedy.