CHAPTER II. 

 DISEASES OF THE BLADDER. 



Examination.— A thorough and complete examination of 

 this organ may be made, especially in the dog, by palpation 

 through the rectum, vagina, and abdominal walls; by lapa- 

 rotomy (direct examination) and by examination of the urine. 



Palpation can be done satisfactorily only in the larger 

 breeds when not too fat. When palpating through the 

 abdominal wall place the animal in a standing position, and, 

 with one hand on either side of the lower abdominal wall, 

 just anterior to the brim of the pubis, exert enough pressure 

 to feel the bladder through the walls. In case inflammation 

 is present pain will be evinced. The bladder will be felt as 

 a pear-shaped enlargement just anterior to the brim of the 

 pubis, which is movable and extends forward a varying 

 distance depending upon its distention. Care must be taken 

 to differentiate between a distended bladder and other 

 abnormalities which are commonly present in the abdominal 

 cavity, such as ascites, fecal stasis, neoplasms, etc. 



Rectal palpation is done by first thoroughly cleansing the 

 hand and the anal region with soap and water, followed by 

 an application of boric acid solution (2 per cent.). The 

 index finger is inserted through the anal opening as high up 

 in the rectum as possible. The bladder can be felt as a 

 distended body, projecting back into the pelvic inlet. Dif- 

 ferentiation must be made between a distended bladder and 

 chronic or acute prostatitis which is quite common in old 

 dogs. This can be done by considering the difference in 

 position and density of the two bodies. Inflammatory 

 conditions of the bladder, which are painful on pressure, and 

 other enlargements such as tumors may be found in this 

 location. 



