426 DISEASES OF THE URETHRA 



Various kinds of abnormalities have been observed, such as 

 epispadia and hypospadia. 



Symptoms. Occlusion of the urethra at its outlet is 

 characterized in young animals by a retention of urine, 

 enlargement of the abdomen, and no signs of micturition. 

 The distended bladder will be found on examination. 



Treatment. Surgical treatment should be given at once. 

 If the occlusion is at the extreme end of the urethra it should 

 be incised at this point and the flaps stitched back to the 

 skin to prevent adhesions taking place. The urine will 

 usually keep the wound open. Should the occlusion be at 

 a point higher up, in a male dog, an artificial opening should 

 be made at the ischial arch through which the urine is 

 allowed to pass. It may be necessary for this opening to 

 be used permanently, in which case the edges of the mem- 

 brane on either side should be stitched back to the skin, and 

 kept clean for several days until union takes place. In 

 the female the urethra should be opened with a pair of 

 scissors, and kept dilated with a metallic catheter used 

 daily. 



WOUNDS OF THE URETHRA. 



It happens occasionally when animals are injured that 

 the urethra will be opened at some point along its exposed 

 portion. It will be made manifest by the presence of a 

 wound through which urine escapes. Internal wounds of 

 the mucosa occur from the careless use of a catheter or 

 sound, or by foreign bodies passing from the bladder, or 

 by weeds or straws entering the urethral outlet. 



Treatment. In extensive and severe lacerations of the 

 urethra they should be sutured, and the wound well pro- 

 tected. In a short time union will take place and the 

 urine passed normally. Injuries to the mucosa are treated 

 by injecting mild antiseptic solutions (boric acid 2 per cent). 



STRICTURE OF THE URETHRA. 



Definition. A constriction of the wall of the urethra 

 which narrows the lumen and interferes with the passage 

 of urine. 



