Acute bronchitis, which may be either primary, or consecutive of distemper, is a very common affection in animals of the canine species, and is induced by variations of temperature, chills, damp kennels, etc.

Symptoms

In slight cases of bronchitis there is a slight dry cough, which occurs in fits and starts, and which is increased in frequency by exposure to cold. The general health does not appear to be much altered; the appetite and animal spirits are not impaired. In a few days the cough becomes moist, and muco-purulent matter is discharged; it then disappears in about five or six days, the period at which recovery is usually completed.

In such cases as these the larger divisions of the bronchial tubes are the seats of the disease; but when the smaller branches of the air-passages are affected, serious and alarming symptoms ensue. To a troublesome, hacking, and constant cough, are added loss of appetite, shiverings, depression of spirits, dulness, and vomiting of glairy matter, and of food; the animals keep out of the way; they are insensible to the caresses of their master; the movements of the flanks are much increased in frequency; the respiration is panting; the beats of the heart and of the arteries are so quick that they cannot be counted. On listening to the sides of the chest we hear mucus rattling, which masks the respiratory murmur. The air-passages and orifice of the nostrils are obstructed by a discharge, which is at first clear and consists of mucus, and which subsequently becomes thick and purulent; this obstruction excites sneezing and frequent attacks of cough. At a more advanced period, the respiration becomes more and more difficult, and during that act the flanks and sides heave; an abundant viscid discharge stops up the nasal orifice; breathing in and out is effected through the mouth, and in so rapid a manner that the cheeks are agitated by a constant to-and-fro movement, resembling that of the valve of a bellows. The fits of coughing become very painful, and almost continual; the oppressed animal squats on his haunches, with his mouth wide open, and nose poked forward, to obtain more air; the eyes are dull and sunken; occasionally the prostration is such that the animal cannot stand upright, but remains lying on his breast-bone, with the head stretched out on his fore-paws. At this stage of the disease the breathing is calmer, the cough ceases, and is superseded by contractions of the expiratory muscles, by which the whole body is shaken, and the feebleness of the animal is extreme. Death soon takes place, either from asphyxia, or from the intensity of the inflammation, or from suppurative pneumonia.

Bronchitis rapidly goes through its different stages. It reaches its height in from six to eight days, and then either ends in restoration to health, or assumes the capillary form, or becomes complicated with pneumonia, intestinal inflammation, or dysentery, the animal dying in periods varying from the tenth to the fifteenth day from the onset. These complications come on more frequently during the symptomatic bronchitis of distemper than during the continuance of primitive bronchitis.

Under some circumstances there remains, as a sequel of acute bronchitis, a dry frequent cough occurring in fits, but unattended with mucous discharge. On listening to the sides of the chest, a certain sound is heard, indicating an emphysematous state of the lungs. Dogs thus affected preserve their appetite and liveliness; but they are short-winded, and incapable of active or of sustained exertion. In short, they are asthmatical.

Chronic bronchitis is another sequel of the acute form. It is known by habitual cough, copious expectoration, and shortness of breath, - symptoms which are aggravated by exposure to damp and cold.

Treatment Aconitum*

Pulse strong, hard, and accelerated; skin hot; short, dry, and frequent cough; wheezing, or sonorous noise in the chest; restlessness and thirst.

Bryonia

Bryonia, in a large number of cases of bronchitis, is of great service at the commencement of the attack, and may "be given either alone, or alternately with Aconite if the subjoined indications are present, - rapid, laborious, and anxious breathing; dry, hard cough, or cough night and day, with wheezing and excessive thirst; and especially when pleurisy threatens to set in.

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

Spongia

Spongia is of great service after Aconite and Bryonia, when there still remains a considerable degree of inflammation in the air-tubes, with wheezing or rattling of mucus in the chest; also at a more advanced stage of the disease, when there is hollow, dry cough, night and day, but worse in the evening.

Belladonna

Belladonna is often exceedingly efficacious, especially when there is loud wheezing and rattling of mucus in the air-tubes; short, anxious, and rapid respiration; dry and fatiguing cough, especially at night.

Mercurius V

Mercurius V. is useful in the second stage, and may be given after Belladonna, or alternately with it.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is frequently of great utility, especially after the inflammatory symptoms have been subdued; or when the disease has been neglected; or when we have reason to fear extension of the inflammation to the substance of the lungs.

Sulphur

Sulphur may be given night and morning for a few days to complete the cure.

Foody Etc

At first, when the inflammatory symptoms are present, the diet should be sparing; subsequently, when these have given way and weakness remains, strong broth or beef-tea should be administered from time to time. In some cases a teaspoonful of wine, or of brandy, may be necessary.

During convalescence the diet should be plain, and great care should be taken in protecting the animal from draughts and damp. Throughout the disease, the dog should be where it can breathe cool, pure air.