EXAMIXATIOX OF THE PROSTATE 



171 



In the bitch it is rare that an examination of the urethra is necessary, 

 but certain discharges from the vulva are of diagnostic vahie. During 

 the period of "heat" (menstruation), which occurs normally twice a year, 

 in June or July, and in December or January (this, however, is not a 

 hard and fast rule, as it may occur in April or May and November or 

 October), we have a copious bloody discharge, and during the preparatory 

 stages of labor we see a thick, clammy discharge, and the lochia com- 



« 



Fig. 71.— 



Female catheter. 



Fig. 72. — Median section through the pelvic cavity; a, 

 rectum; b, vagina; b', vulva; d, bladder; c urethr;a 1, pubic 

 symphysis. 



mences with a non-foetid, serous, slimy discharge, which soon changes 

 to a thick, yellowish fluid. Purulent, putrid, and bad-smelling discharges 

 are generally found in inflammatory or ulcerative discharges from the 

 vagina or uterus. It may also be observed when a carcinoma is present. 

 In such cases it is best to introduce a mirror-speculum into the vagina 

 and make a specular examination. The instrument to use is the so- 

 called two-valved rectal mirror (Fig. 73). Digital examination of the 

 vagina is often productive of more certain diagnosis. 



Examination of the Prostate. 



This body varies in size, but in the dog it is large in comparison to 

 the relative size in other animals, varying from the size of a hazelnut 

 to that of a walnut. It is a round, ball-like body cut into two portions, 

 lying on the neck of the bladder where the urethra commences (Fig. 74). 

 It lies about the anterior portion of the pubic bone, and being free to a 

 certain extent, it can be pushed into the abdominal cavitj^ Avith the finger. 

 In hypertrophy of the prostate, we find a painless hard body varying 

 from the size of a walnut to that of a small orange. Acute prostitis is 

 extremely painful and we find increased local temperature, prostatic 



