DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 99 



&CUTE Cystitis. 



Cystitis or acute inflammation of the bladder, is a disease uncommon 

 among dogs. 



Probably the affection more commonly has its origin in traumatic inju- 

 ries, such as blows, kicks, and crushes. Chemical irritants, among them 

 eantharides and turpentine injudiciously used, may induce the disease. 

 Among other influences may be numbered chills, calculi, and long retained 

 urine which decomposing becomes exceedingly irritating. Dogs shipped 

 long distances and not removed from their boxes for several days, are 

 liable to contract cystitis. An acute inflammation of the mucous mem- 

 brane of the kidney may be transmitted along the passage andthe bladder 

 be involved. The disease may occur spontaneously, no obvious cause 

 being apparent. 



Symptoms. — Acute cystitis usually manifests itself suddenly. The gen- 

 eral disturbances are in some cases marked ; in others the local symptoms 

 are the more prominent. Fever, thirst, pain, constipation, and often vom- 

 iting are not unusual. 



The frequent efforts to void the urine are the first to attract attention. 

 The quantity passed at each attempt is very small, often but a few drops, 

 and at times the attempts are ineffectual and suppression is complete. 

 The urine voided may be in appearance nearly normal, but more often it 

 is thick, dark reddish in color, and blood is intermingled. The pain and 

 distress are often great as shown by outcries and restless movements. 

 When standing the animal's back is arched, the abdomen somewhat hard, 

 possibly swollen and tender over the region of the bladder. 



Wben the attack is due to eantharides, the external genitals may be 

 affected by the spread of the irritation. 



^Prognosis. — The disease usually runs a rapid course, and if uncompli- 

 cated tends to recovery. Irritation by eantharides soon subsides. 



When the inflammation is due to calculi, the course will necessarily be 

 protracted unless the cause is removed. Sometimes acute cystitis may 

 eventuate in the chronic foi-m of the disease. 



Treatment. — If the attack is of moderate severity, reducing the diet to 

 milk, applying hot cloths to the loins, and keeping the animal in a warm 

 room may suffice. If the pain is severe one teaspoonful of paregoric, or 

 fifteen drops of laudanum should be given and repeated if needed. Warm 

 injections thrown into the bowels afford some relief. 



Warm loin baths are advised if the symptoms are severe; they should 

 be prolonged from one half an hour to two hours, their usefulness depend- 

 ing upon their duration. 



Some authors have advised cold applications instead of warm; while the 



