630 COMPLICATIONS OF URETHROTOMY IN RUMINANTS. 



a method which also admits of the removal of vesical concretions. 

 Luthens opened the urethra of a ram at the " S " bend as is done 

 in the ox ; the animal, however, died from further formation of 

 calculi. 



Complications of urethrotomy in herbivora — 



(1) Unless the bladder is ruptured before or during operation, 

 an abundant discharge of urine follows removal of the calculus. 

 Sometimes, however, the detrusor urinae having been greatly over- 

 extended and failing to contract, the bladder appears paralysed. In 

 such cases, in oxen, the hand should be introduced into the rectum 

 and attempts made to empty the bladder by exercising slow and 

 steady pressure upon it. Meisel recommends moving the animals, 

 but altogether considers the condition very grave. 



(2) A second unfavourable complication consists in the formation 

 of stricture of the urethra at the point of operation, though this only 

 occurs if the animal lives for a considerable time afterwards, which 

 is seldom the case in oxen. Relapse being probable, the animal 

 should be immediately prepared for slaughter. Raber suggests keeping 

 a metal tube in the urethra, but this is of no permanent service, the 

 irritation produced causing fresh stenosis. 



(3) Abscesses which form at the point of operation are laid open 

 and treated on general principles. 



Cystic calculi are rare in ruminants, and are generally found 

 quite accidentally after slaughter, not having caused any disturbance 

 during life. They seldom produce noticeable symptoms, as the average 

 life of oxen is too short to allow of their attaining any considerable 

 proportions. But all the necessary conditions for their production 

 exist, as is shown by the frequent occurrence of urethral calculi. 

 Hermann found in the bladder and urethra of a three months calf 

 calculi of a collective weight of 5 drachms. 



The symptoms in the ox are similar to those in the horse. In 

 operating, the same general principles are observed in both animals. 



(3.) URINARY CALCULI IN SWINE. 



In swine this disease is of less interest. Serious cases are best 

 slaughtered. As in oxen, calculi and concretions are sometimes 

 found in the bladder after death ; Schell met with a collection of 

 white earthy concretions weighing 13 drachms in the urinary bladder 

 of an eighteen months pig that had. always appeared healthy. 



