62 NON-SPECIFIC OR GENERAL DISEASES 



If the animal becomes weak, general and heart tonics may be 

 given. 



Cystitis. — Inflammation of the bladder is not an uncommon 

 disease of horses. It is commonly caused by retention of the 

 urine, calculi in the bladder and chilling of the body. Irritat- 

 ing druffs that are eliminated from the bodv in the urine, and 

 infection of the bladder by germs may cause it. 



The symptoms are usually marked. The inflammation is 

 characterized by more or less pain, depending on the degree 

 of the inflammation, and frequent passing of urine. Only a 

 small amount of urine is passed at each attempt, and in severe 

 inflammation it may contain pus or blood. Colicky pains some- 

 times occur. The pain is usually manifested by a stiff, strad- 

 dling gait and tenderness when pressure on the bladder is made 

 by introducing the hand into the rectum or vagina, and pressing 

 over the region of the bladder. General symptoms, such as 

 elevation in body temperature and irregular appetite, may be 

 manifested. 



The treatment should be first directed at removing the cause. 

 If a cystic calculus is present in the bladder it should be re- 

 moved. If the retention of the urine is caused by some local 

 condition, and this is very often the case in nervous, well-bred 

 animals, tliis must first be corrected. It is best to feed green 

 and soft feeds, such as bran mash and chopped hay, and, if the 

 animal will take them, gruels. A physic of castor or linseed 

 oil should be given occasionally. It is very necessary that the 

 animal be kept quiet. Comfortable, clean quarters and a good 

 bed should be provided. Whenever necessary the animal should 

 be blanketed. The medicinal treatment consists in irrigating 

 the bladder with antiseptic solutions, and administering drugs 

 that when eliminated by way of the urine may change its com- 

 position and render it less irritating. The following mix;ture 

 may be given: potassium chlorate two ounces, salol one-half 

 ounce, and powdered nux vomica one ounce. This mixture 



