383 CHAPTEE 55. 



been detailed above in reference to nephritis. But in addition to such 

 treatment, it will probably be necessary to relieve the retention of the 

 urine by other means. Those means and also the chief signs of retention 

 of the urine will be detailed in the succeeding paragraphs. 



796. Retention of the Urine. 



In the majority of colic cases the patient suffers temporarily from 

 retention of the urine, owing to spasm of the neck of the bladder. But, 

 otherwise, the disease is not common in the horse. 



It may, however, arise from inflammation of the neck of the bladder, or 

 from calculi in some of the urinary passages, or from want of tone, or 

 from the bladder becoming over-distended with urine, or from any cause 

 producing functional derangement of the nerves supplying the muscular 

 coat of the bladder with nervous force, as may sometimes happen when 

 horses are driven a long distance without stopping, sometimes from 

 fatigue as in hunters, or in the case of animals which will not stale out 

 of their own stables, lletention may also take place in peritonitis, on 

 account of the pain which it gives the animal to use the abdominal 

 muscles in expelling the urine, and also in tetanus. In some cases, espe- 

 cially in prolonged diseases, retention is caused by an accumulation of 

 debris and dirt about the orifice of the urethra. 



797. Symptoms. 



The symptoms of retention of the urine are great uneasiness, distress 

 and anxiety of countenance, colic pains and straining. The pulse is not 

 at first much affected ; but if relief is not soon obtained, it becomes quick 

 and hard, and ultimately imperceptible. The patient will frequently 

 stand stretched out as in the act of straining to void urine. lie will lie 

 down and rise frequently. Clammy sweats will break out over him. In 

 the last stage the pulse will entirely sink, and the animal may have a 

 little ease before dissolution takes place. 



In the early stage any doubt as to the nature of the affection may be 

 removed by putting the hand up the rectum and feeling the bladder. 



798. Treatment. 



The making up of the bedding and shaking about fresh straw often 

 creates a desire and attempt to pass urine, and the effort may be success- 

 ful. The steady pressure of the hand passed through the anus on the 

 fundus of the bladder will often cause the urine to be discharged. Clys- 

 ters will often assist in producing this effect. Hand rubbing of the belly 

 is also beneficial. In those cases, which arise from an accumulation of 

 dirt and debris about the orifice of the urethra, a thorough washing will 

 often be found sufficient. 



If these means are not successful in producing evacuation of the con- 

 tents of the bladder, a catheter must be used, or the animal may die from 

 irritation, or the bladder may burst. In a mare the catheter is easily 

 passed, but in the horse the operation requires care and dexterity. The 



