Absolute cleanliness, an unfailing supply of fresh air, a suitable temperature, plenty of fresh water, general comfort, and last, but not least, companionship, are needed by a sick dog. Locking a dog in a darkened room or stall, or an unaccustomed change, will work havoc with a sick dog. He wants to see his master, relies upon his companionship, and turns to him as if to a god, with a sublime confidence in his master’s ability to help him in his difficulty. A word of approbation is often worth more than drugs, and he will frequently eat and take nourishment simply to please his master.
DIET.-If the dog is down with some febrile disorder that is rapidly weakening him, it is important that he take some nourishment, and necessarily it must be of the lightest and most sustaining character. Medical practitioners and trained nurses have brought the dietary of the sick-room to a perfection that the canine practitioner can study with good results. There are foods prepared by Spratt’s patent for this purpose that are very useful. Milk, mutton broth, gelatine, and raw eggs are valuable foods. Boiled rice is easy of digestion. Raw beef or mutton, minced or chopped fine, fed a few teaspoonfuls at a time, will act in many cases as a tonic to an exhausted stomach, and should be resorted to, as there is always danger of a disordered stomach rebelling against long-continued liquid food. A teaspoonful of brandy or port wine will frequently cause the stomach to retain food that would otherwise be rejected. It is best given in the form of an eggnog and fed a few teaspoonfuls at a time.
A dog will eat small quantities of food offered from his master’s hand which he will refuse from a dish. Do not allow food to remain before him after he has declined to eat. Remove it at once and offer it at some future time.