RETENTION OF URINE, 103 



The loss of power In the muscular coat of the bladder may be due to 

 paralysis proper, or may be induced by distention following the confine- 

 ment of dogs excessively neat in their habits. 



Spasmodic stricture may be caused by exposure to cold and damp, by 

 cei-tain drugs taken into the stomach as cantharides, or the same may be 

 absorbed from blisters. 



Temporary stricture sometimes occurs in stud dogs the result of undue 

 sexual excitement. 



Symptoms . —Restlessness and continuous pain, with constant and inef- 

 fectual efforts to urinate are the prominent symptoms. The animal's 

 movements are unceasing and his gait stiff and " straddling." In getting 

 up and lying down his actions are restrained as though painful. The abdo- 

 men is distended, and pressure over the bladder causes shrinking and 

 distress. Unless relieved the pain grows more severe, vomiting occurs, 

 the pulse runs high, becomes weak and feeble, and the general appear- 

 ances indicate gravity. Convulsions often occur, followed by profound 

 stupor and death. 



Treatment. — If the symptoms are not extreme, one grain of opium 

 should be given and followed by a hot loin bath. The great object is to 

 arrest the efforts of the animal to urinate, and when they are discontinued, 

 often the bladder will empty itself. After the opium a dose of castor oil 

 should be administered. 



If these measures are unsuccessfully employed, a surgeon should be 

 called and the catheter used to evacuate the bladder. 



Retention associated with paralysis demands the use of the catheter, 

 and the employment of treatment elsewhere advised. 



If the prostate is enlarged the iodide of potassium is indicated in three 

 grain doSes, three times daily. The food should be unirritating in charac- 

 ter, milk entering largely into the diet. 



A dog to be catheterized should be placed on his side, the penis held 

 by one hand, the instrument introduced by the other. The catheter, well 

 oiled, is to be inserted and pushed with gentle force. After passing easily 

 for a distance an obstruction will be felt, caused by a spasmodic contrac- 

 tion of the walls of the passage. Steady pressure, if maintained soon 

 causes this to yield, and the instrument penetrates until the neck of the 

 bladder is reached, The muscles controlling the opening now contract 

 and resist an entrance, but soon relax, influenced by gentle pressure. 



The flow of urine shows the operation completed. In selecting a cath- 

 eter, one flexible, and like those commonly used on man, will be suitable, 

 unless the dog is of the largest breed, in which case it will need to be 

 much longer. The medium size should be selected, and the wire removed 

 before attempting its use. 



