442 DISEASES OF URINARY GROANS. 



with hard dung ; and by chill. It may also be due to the presence of 

 stone in the bladder or urethra (the canal by which the urine 

 escapes), and to other causes affecting these parts. It may accom- 

 pany colic and other diseases. Although in colic there may be 

 retention ; still, when suffering from it, the animal does not make 

 such frequent attempts to stale, as he does when attacked by the 

 ailment under consideration. 



The chief manifestations of retention of urine when it exists to 

 such an extent as to be a diseased condition, are distension of the 

 bladder, and stra7igury, which is the term applied to the state 

 in which a horse is when he makes frequent, urgent, painful, and 

 more or less ineffectual attempts to stale, while adopting the 

 stretched-out position characteristic, in horses, of that act. The 

 distended condition of the bladder may be felt, if the hand is passed 

 into the rectum. 



TREATMENT. — Foment the loins; give an enema of warm 

 water in which ^ oz. of opium has been boiled ; clothe warmly ; 

 give a pint of linseed oil; and after that the following ball : — 



Opium... ... ... ... ... 1^ drachm. 



Camphor ... ... ... ... 2^ ,. 



Repeat the ball, if, after an hour or two, the horse has not 

 staled. If the symptoms are urgent ; or if the foregoing measures 

 do not succeed, pass a catheter (p. 655) ; or exert pressure on the 

 bladder with the hand in the rectum, in the event of the bladder 

 being paralysed. If spasm of the urethra prevents the passage of 

 the catheter, it is well to adopt Veterinary Surgeon Desmond's pro- 

 cedure of blowing air with the mouth through the catheter, so that 

 the expired air will overcome the spasm, in which case the horse 

 will expel urine along with the air. Oiling the head of the j^enis 

 and inside of the sheath will facilitate urination, by disposing the 

 penis to come down. To counteract spasm of the neck of the 

 bladder, we may stimulate the skin outside it (just below the anus) 

 by rubbing turpentine into it. AVhen the animal has staled, give 

 linseed mashes and linseed tea. 



Bloody Urine. 



The dark or bloody colour assumed by the urine is, usually, 

 caused by improper feeding, or by strains received during violent 

 exertion. I knew a steeplechase horse that was always more or 

 less affected in this manner after a race. Disease of the kidneys, 

 irritation of the urinary passages, and the presence of calculi, are 



