134 "^^^ Management and Diseases of the Dog 



POLYPUS IN THE VAGINA. 



Polypus IS occasionally met with in the vagina of bitches. 

 It consists in a pedicled tumour attached to some portion 

 of the vaginal walls. It is generally situated some distance 

 from the orifice, and is usually observed when the animal 

 is in a lying posture. Sometimes it increases so much in 

 size as to be continually protruded, and the act of urination 

 causes it to be still more dependent. 



Polypus may be confounded with uterine inversion, but 

 a careful examination will at once remove this doubt, as its 

 attachment can generally be fell. 



Symptoms. — The tumour is usually pear-shaped, having 

 a pedicle, or stalk, as its base. It is smooth, glistening, 

 movable, and insensible when manipulated. It may be ac- 

 companied by a purulent discharge, but, as a rule, there is 

 simply an increase in the secretion of mucus. It creates 

 much inconvenience in the act of urination, and when of 

 considerable size interferes with the evacuation of faeces. 



Treatment. — Removal by excision or ligature, which is 

 attended with but little danger or constitutional disturb- 

 ance, and the injection afterwards of astringents, with 

 occasional application of lunar caustic, if unhealthy action 

 or fungus results. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE UTERUS (METRITIS) 



Bitches are not very frequently troubled with this affec- 

 tion. When it does happen, it is generally associated with 

 parturition, particularly if the labour be protracted, and un- 

 skilful or rough usage has been had recourse to. 



It may proceed from external violence, as blows or falls, 

 or from the use of injudicious and excessive vaginal injec- 

 tions. 



Symptoms. — Pain on pressure over the uterine region, and 

 also on examination per vaginam ; in the latter, the os iiteri 



