DISEASES OF SHEEP 489 



the urine may be tinged with blood and the animal have convul- 

 sions. Unless the inflammation terminates in the early stages of 

 the disease, different organs of the body become affected. 



Lesions. The kidneys are enlarged, mottled, of a red or yel- 

 lowish color. Large abscesses sometimes form in the kidney tissue. 



Treatment. The sick sheep must be given comfortable quar- 

 ters. Mucilaginous drinks are indicated. Counterirritants in the 

 form of hot compresses to the loins will help in relieving the pain 

 and inflammation. We must help in getting rid of the waste prod- 

 ucts formed in the body by the use of purgatives and diuretics. As 

 a diuretic, bicarbonate of soda (one teaspoonful) and iodide of 

 potassium (twenty grains) can be given in the drinking water 

 two or three times a day. Castor oil can be given to keep the bowels 

 lax. The same tonic recommended in congestion of the kidneys 

 can be given. 



INFLAMMATION OP THE BLADDER. 



Causes. Irritating drugs (cantharides, turpentine, etc.) when 

 given in large doses may be present in the urine in large enough 

 amounts to irritate and inflame the lining membrane of the blad- 

 der. Irritation due to retention of the urine and exposure to cold 

 may also cause it. 



Symptoms. The body temperature may be higher than nor- 

 mal. The sheep walks stiffly, strains frequently and passes a small 

 amount of urine. The lining membrane of the bladder is inflamed 

 and thickened. In advanced cases due to the shedding of the epi- 

 thelium, there may be large raw surfaces of the membrane. 



Treatment. Irritating drugs should not be used in a careless 

 manner. If due to retention of the urine the cause must be re- 

 moved if possible. The medicinal treatment consists in administer- 

 ing the remedies that will modify the inflammation. Mucilagin- 

 ous drinks are indicated and the sheep should be kept quiet and 

 the bowels lax. The following can be given: salol (one-half ounce), 

 powdered nux vomica (one ounce), and chlorate of potassium (one 

 and one-half ounces) ; mix and give in teaspoonful doses, in the 

 feed twice a day. 



RETENTION OP URINE. 



This is not a disease in itself but a symptom of disease, and 

 is more common in the male than in the female. 



Causes. The causes of retention of the urine are as follows: 

 foreign bodies in the bladder (calculi), sediment in the S curvature 

 of the urethra of the ram, pressure on the urethra by a tumor, in- 

 flammation of the sheath, displacement of the uterus, paralysis of 

 the bladder, general weakness and infrequent urination. The feed- 

 ing of a large ration of roots will also cause the trouble especially in 

 males. 



Symptoms. The sheep refuse to eat, is drowsy and weak. 

 Frequently strains and tries to urinate, but no urine is passed. 

 Sometimes the urine runs off drop by drop. If not relieved the 

 bladder is ruptured, or the blood becomes charged with poisonous 

 substances and the disease terminates fatally, uraemia. 



