QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 285 



Treatment : Evacuate the uterus (removing foetus if one is pres- 

 ent) and irrigate the cavity with mildly astringent antiseptics. 

 Build up the general health with tonics. 



Give the causes, symptoms and treatment of hydrops amnii. 



The causes of this condition are not well understood. 



Symptoms: The most important symptom is the enormous 

 rotundity of the abdomen. The walls of the same are tense and 

 give a dull sound on percussion. As the swelling increases, the 

 patient becomes dull, emaciated, and anaemic. Thirst is increased 

 and appetite decreased. The respiratory movements become labored, 

 owing to the pressure on the diaphragm. Rectal examination 

 clinches the diagnosis. 



Treatment: Dilate the os, rupture the membranes, and remove 

 the foetus. Give stimulants and aid involution of the uterus. 



Give the causes, prognosis and treatment of antepartum inversion of 

 the vagina. 



Causes : Not well known. It has been observed most frequently 

 in cows that have been closely confined and overfed on bulky feeds. 

 These factors depress the general vigor and favor the action of 

 infective agents, especially in the vagina, which responds by becom- 

 ing inflamed, thus inducing straining and prolapse. A sloping floor 

 is often an accessory, if not a direct, causative factor. 



Prognosis: A tendency to recur until parturition is completed 

 makes the prognosis unfavorable; especially is this so when the 

 organ becomes badly excoriated and inflamed. If delivery of the 

 foetus can be brought about, the condition is more easily overcome. 



Treatment : Cleanse thoroughly with warm, non-irritating, anti- 

 septic solutions (% per cent, lysol) and effect reposition of the 

 prolapsed organ by gentle manual pressure. The replacement 

 may be more easily accomplished by raising the hind quarters or, 

 in small animals, by having an assistant hold the patient by the 

 hind legs. After the organ is returned to its proper position, a 

 mild, antiseptic agent should be injected; iodoform is very useful 

 for this purpose, because it is not only antiseptic but slightly anses- 

 thetie, and therefore lessens irritability and straining. Keep bowels 

 open by administering cathartics. Straining to defecate and disten- 

 tion of the intestines tend to cause a recurrence of the prolapse. 

 If parturition is near, it may be advisable to empty the uterus. 

 Bandages, sutures, trusses, etc., are of little use unless the cause 

 of straining is eliminated. Sometimes the bladder is carried out 

 within the prolapsed vagina (vesicovaginocele) . Urine accumulates 



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