THE EXAMINATION OF A SICK HORSE. 25 



transverse processes of the vertebne of the k)iiis aiul heneatli the hind- 

 most ribs. If the kidneys are actually inflamed and especially sensi- 

 tive, pressure or light blows applied here may cause the horse to 

 shrink. 



The physical examination of the sexual and generative organs is 

 made in large part through the rectum, and this portion of the exami- 

 nation should be carried out by a veterinarian only. By this means 

 it is possible to discover or locate cysts of the kidneys, urinary 

 calculi in the ureters, bladder, or ui)}>er urethra, malformations, and 

 acute inflannnati(ms acct>uipanied by pain. The external genital 

 organs are swollen, discolored, or show a discharge as a result of 

 local disease or from disease higher in the tract. 



The manner of urinating is sometimes of considerable diagnostic 

 importance. Painful urination is shown by frequent attempts, dur- 

 ing which but a small quantity of urine is passed; by groaning, by 

 constrained attitude, etc. This condition comes from inflammation 

 of the bladder or urethra, urinary calculi (stones of the l)lad(ler or 

 urethra), hemorrhage, tumors, bruises, etc. The urine is retained 

 from spasms of the muscle at the neck of the bladder, from calculi, 

 inflammatory growths, tumors, and paralysis of the bladder. 



The urine dribbles without control when the neck of the bladder 

 is weakened or paralyzed. This condition is seen after the bladder is 

 v\ eakened from long-continued retention and where there is a partial 

 I ai-alysis of the hind quarters. 



Horses usually void urine five to sjeven times a day, and pass f lom 4 

 to 7 quarts. Disease may be shown by increase in the number of 

 voidings or of the (|uantity. Frequent urination indicates an irritable 

 or painful condition of the bladder or urethra or that the <|uan- 

 tity is excessive. In one form of chronic inflammation of the kidneys 

 (interstitial nephritis) and in j^olyuria the quantity may be increased 

 to 20 or 30 quarts daily. Diminution in the quantity' of urine comes 

 from profuse sweating, diarrhea, high fever, weak heart, diseased and 

 uonsecreting kidneys, or an obstruction to the flow. 



The urine of the healtln' horse is a pale or at times a slightly red- 

 dish yellow. The color is less intense when the quantity is large, and 

 is more intense when the quantity is diminished. Daik-brown urine 

 is seen in azoturia and in severe acute muscular rheumatism. A 

 brownish -green color is seen in jaundice. Red color indicates admix- 

 ture of blood from a bleeding point at some part of the urinary tract, 

 usually in the kidneys. 



The urine of the healthy horse is not clear and transparent. It 

 contains mucus, which causes it to bo slightly thick and string}*, and 

 a certain amount of undissolved carbonates, causing it to be cloudy, 

 A sediment collects when the urine is allowed to stand. The urine of 

 the horse is normally alkaline. If it becomes acid the bodies in sus- 



