RETENTION OF URINE. 461 



condition is by no means an uncommon one among dogs, 

 lietention of urine may also in some cases be caused by the 

 presence of calculi in the bladder, paralysis of the bladder, 

 urethral calculi, etc. 



Symptoms. — The animal shows slight uneasiness and 

 pain, which increases as the amount of urine in the bladder 

 becomes augmented in quantity by the constant flow of 

 urine which takes place from the kidneys, and through the 

 ureters. He makes violent and ineffectual attempts to 

 micturate. In some cases he may succeed in voiding a very 

 small quantity of urine, which usually comes away in a 

 short but forcible jet, or dribbles away. The animal places 

 himself in position to urinate, makes an effort, groans, and 

 may lie down, turn his head towards the seat of trouble, 

 and groan. An examination per rectum is all the test that 

 is now required to make the practitioner certain that it is 

 a case of retention, in which case the bladder may be felt 

 distended with urine. 



Treatment. — Having lubricated the arm and hand, they 

 may be gently passed into the rectum until the bladder is 

 reached, feeling full and distended beneath the hand. 

 Gentle pressure should now be brought to bear upon it, and 

 the contents may thus be forced, in many cases, to pass out. 

 However, this method frequently fails to have the desired 

 effect. In such a case warm water enemas, or an enema 

 of a decoction of tobacco, may be tried, after which pres- 

 sure may again be brought to bear upon the bladder. If 

 failure be again experienced, the practitioner must pass the 

 catheter. A small quantity of belladonna extract may be 

 placed upon the end of the catheter, being useful to relax 

 the spasm. 



