Inflammation of the liver occurs in two forms - the acute, and the chronic.

The acute, which is the less frequent form, may-arise from exposure to cold and damp, from overfeeding, bruises and other injuries, intense heat, the action of powerful emetics which are so frequently given to dogs, in whom vomiting is a very easy action. Over-feeding and want of exercise acting together are the most frequent predisposing causes of liver diseases in dog3, and hence the prevalence of such complaints amongst petted and fat dogs, especially when they are subjected to unusual exertion.

Symptoms

The symptoms of the acute variety of hepatitis are - restlessness, dulness, loss of appetite and of spirits; acceleration of the pulse, thirst, tongue coated and protruded from the mouth, craving for water, shivering before accession of fever, and subsequently alternations of heat and cold. After a few hours, or in the course of two or three days, the gums, lips, whites of the eyes, and skin generally, become tinged with a yellow colour, and the urine presents the same hue. The right side is enlarged, and, when touched, flinching and groanings are produced. Vomitings of slimy, bilious matter come on; the appetite gets worse, whilst the thirst continues; the breath becomes offensive; emaciation and debility gradually progress; the bowels are either confined or relaxed; the excrement clay-coloured, from absence of bile; the fever assumes a typhoid character, and the dog at last, unless promptly relieved at an early stage, sinks from exhaustion.

The chronic variety may be the sequel of the acute, or it may arise during the course of distemper, in which, however, it partakes more of the sub-acute character; it occurs in cases of chronic and inveterate mange, and other skin diseases. Improper food is the most frequent exciting cause. The dog is dull, sleepy, and disinclined to move himself; the mouth is cold and the tongue furred; for some time past he has been gradually wasting, despite a fair appetite, without apparent cause, until he is now reduced to a skeleton. The coat stares and the hair is detached in patches. The skin, eyes, and urine are coloured with bile; the faeces clayey. The belly is enlarged, especially on the right side. When this region is examined, a hard, solid, and almost painless swelling is detected; this is the enlarged liver.

The yellow colour of the eyes and skin, the deep-coloured urine, and the absence of colour in the excrement, denote the condition called jaundice, or commonly the "yellows."

Treatment

Aconitum * should be given when the fever is high, the skin hot, the tongue furred; and when there are thirst, restlessness, and pain on pressure in the region of the liver.

Mercurius is indicated when the whites of the eyes, and the skin generally, present a yellow colour; when the tongue has a yellowish fur, and the evacuations are knotty, and clay-coloured.

Nux vomica is suitable against great tenderness on pressure in the hepatic region, vomiting, thirst, high-coloured urine, costiveness.

Arsenicum is especially indicated after the disease has made some progress, and when typhoid symptoms are appearing, such as vomiting; offensive, blackish diarrhoea; cold legs; great prostration; weak, small, irregular pulse. It is also suitable in the chronic form of hepatitis, when the liver is enlarged, the urine scanty, and dropsy of the belly present; or when the disease occurs in connexion with mange.

* For directions as to the dose of these medicines, refer to the "Introductory Remarks."

Digitalis is an important remedy against intermittent, and frequent pulse; evacuations dry, and ash-coloured; urine thick and brown; pain in the side, etc.

Podophylin should take the place of mercurius for the same symptoms, when that drug either fails to do good, or has already been given in too large doses.