INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER 607 



INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER (CYSTITIS) 



Inflammation of the urinary bladder, or cystitis, is a rather un- 

 common disease in the hog, as compared with the other domestic 

 animals. 



Causes. — Cystitis may frequently result from retention of urine, 

 the condition just described. When the urine remains in the blad- 

 der beyond a normal length of time it has a tendency to decompose 

 and form irritating ammonia substances, which set up an inflamma- 

 tion of the lining membrane of the organ. In like manner, the pres- 

 ence of stones in the bladder produce an irritation which is very 

 favorable to the development of an infection of the bladder wall. 



Inflammation of the bladder may result as a secondary condi- 

 tion in the various acute infectious diseases. In nearly every case 

 of severe acute hog-cholera some inflammation of the bladder is 

 noticeable. In like manner, inflammation affecting the uterus or 

 the large intestine may spread to and involve the bladder. Expo- 

 sure to cold and wet act as predisposing causes, in that they lower 

 the resistance of the animal and make conditions more favorable 

 for the development of infection. 



Overdoses of some of the irritating drugs, especially turpentine, 

 may be followed by an inflammation of the bladder. 



Symptoms. — The most prominent symptom in inflammation of 

 the bladder is the frequent and painful attempts to urinate. The 

 animal almost constantly tries to pass urine, and each attempt is 

 accompanied by a great amount of pain. Practically no urine or, 

 at most, a very small amount is passed. What little urine is 

 passed is of a very dirty, cloudy appearance and has a strong odor. 



In boars the reflex irritation causes an erection of the penis and 

 the testicles may be drawn up. Cohcky pain is also a quite pro- 

 nounced sjrmptom. The animal loses appetite, and in severe in- 

 flammation of the bladder shows a considerable amount of fever. 

 The bowels are constipated, appetite is lost, and the animal walks 

 with a stiff, straddling gait. If an attempt is made to examine the 

 sick pig it will be found that there is most severe pain and tender- 

 ness over the region of the bladder. This organ, however, is empty 

 instead of being distended, as in the case of retention of the urine. 



Treatment. — Cystitis is rarely a serious condition in the hog, 

 and rest in warm, comfortable quarters, together with proper regu- 



