DISEASES OF THE OX AND SHEEP. 577 



example a loss of strength in the bladder itself may be due to 

 nervous lesions, as in apoplectic cases. As a rule when the 

 retention is due to nervous disorder, there is incontinence of 

 urine, the overfull bladder dribbling out its contents. Again, 

 the retention may be due to spasm of the neck of the bladder, 

 which may or may not be coupled with inflammation. Reten- 

 tion may also be, and usually is, due to a blocking up of the 

 urethra by calculi or other obstructions, or to the presence of 

 hardened feces in the rectum. The bladder may even burst, 

 without the manifestation of much suffering on the part of the 

 animal. As a rule, however, the ox is very irritable when 

 suffering from retention of urine, lashes the tail, lifts up the 

 hind limbs and places them on the ground again, perhaps rises 

 and lies down again frequently, tries to pass water, and looks 

 anxiously round at the flank. The only measure which can be 

 of any advantage is to pass the catheter. 



The name of dysuria is given to the painful expulsion of 

 urine, and that of strangury to the painful passage of that fluid 

 drop by drop as occurs in spasm or inflammation of the neck of 

 the bladder. 



A pervious condition of the urachus in calves may lead to a 

 constant dribbling of urine through the umbilicus. A ligature 

 around the umbilicus or sutures may be tried. The condition 

 may disappear. It is most frequent in animals that have been 

 born prematurely. 



PARASITES AND CONCRETIONS. 



Parasites have been found in the kidneys of the ox, but not so 

 often as in those of the horse. 



Stones or calculi may sometimes be present in the kidney. 

 There may be several of them. They are irregular, dense, and 

 laminated, and they vary a great deal in size, and in the effects 

 which they produce. They may cause chronic suppurative 

 nephritis. The best course in these cases is usually to be found 

 in fattening the animal and then slaughtering. If, however, it 

 is preferred to treat the patient, stimulants may be tried, unless 

 there is much pain requiring to be assuaged by opiates. The 

 medicine indicated will vary with the particular circumstances 

 of each special case. Sometimes a small stone may pass from 

 the kidney into the duct leading from that organ to the bladder, 



87 



