284 DISEASES OF THE OVARIES 



Etiology.— llesults from injuries, such as being run over 

 by vehicles. The compression of the organs may be suffi- 

 cient to crush them, or it may lead to inflammation. 



Extension of the inflammation from adjacent organs and 

 tissues, as from the uterus and uterine tubes. 



Infection of the ovaries may take place in some of the 

 infectious diseases (distemper in the dog and cat), or it may 

 be due to some non-specific infection carried to the ovaries 

 by the circulatory system. 



Symptoms.— In dogs oophoritis may not be noticed. The 

 patient will show stiffness in walking and pain on palpation 

 over the glands. . In cases where infection has taken place 

 in the glands, abscesses may develop, and febrile symptoms 

 be present. In subacute or chronic inflammations no marked 

 symptoms will be observed beyond an enlargement of the 

 glands. In cats epileptiform convulsions may result. 



Diagnosis.— In the mild forms an accurate diagnosis is 

 difficult without making an explorative laparotomy. In 

 cats it should be differentiated from ovarian cysts. A careful 

 examination must be made in all cases. 



Prognosis.— Favorable, except when produced by infection. 

 In the chronic form sterility is a common sequel. 



Treatment.— Not much treatment is needed. In the severe 

 forms, or when abscesses are present, it is advisable to remove 

 the ovaries (oophorectomy). 



TUMORS OF THE OVARIES. 



Cysts.— Cystic formation in the ovaries is of very frequent 

 occurrence, and perhaps much more common in cats than 

 in any of the other animals. They consist in most instances 

 of unruptured Graafian follicles, and are found either single or 

 multiple. Unless they are of considerable size they do not 

 produce any marked symptoms. In fact, where they are fre- 

 quently found as multiple cysts, and when degeneration of 

 the ovary has taken place, marked nervous symptoms will 

 be noted. These are excitement, prolonged estrum, and in 

 some instances epileptiform convulsions. 



