114 SWINE DISEASES 



from the bladder by surgical procedure and the condition 

 thus corrected. Tumors and abscesses that affect 

 urethral obstruction may be removed and permit of the 

 ready outflow of urine through the urethra. 



Calculi 



Cystic calculi are of common occurrence in swine. 

 There may be a single calculus or there may be myriads 

 of them. In size they vary from mere grains of sand to 

 masses as large as English walnuts. In shape they may 

 be spherical, ovoid, or all kinds of irregular surfaces and 

 outlines may be presented. Some have been observed 

 that were practically the shape of jack straws. When 

 several occur together they may be faceted. As a rule 

 they are of a dirty-white color, though they may be of 

 any color. They are usually composed of magnesium 

 and calcium phosphates and carbonates. 



Etiology. Retention and fermentation of urine in 

 the bladder favor calculous formation. Retention and 

 urine fermentation also favor catarrhal inflammation, 

 which is associated with epithelial desquamation, and this 

 serves as a nucleus for the calculous deposits. 



Lesions. The presence of calculi is the principal 

 thing to be sought for, and they are not difficult to 

 identify. There is also more or less evidence of catarrhal 

 cystitis, and there may be retention of urine. 



Symptoms. Evidence of catarrhal cystitis that is, 

 frequent voiding of relatively small quantities of urine 

 characterizes most cases of cystic calculi. The urine in 

 these cases is frequently acrid and may produce dis- 

 turbances in and around the prepuce of the male and in 

 the perinea! region of the female. Should the calculi 

 produce obstruction to the outflow of urine there will be 

 symptoms of cystic distention. , 



Treatment. Solvents for cystic calculi are not 

 wholly successful. If the calculi are causing such dis- 

 turbance that marked symptoms are evident, operative 

 procedure is indicated, providing the value of the animal 

 is sufficient to justify it. 



