414 DISEASES OF THE BLADDER 



RETENTION OF URINE IN THE BLADDER. 



Retejitio Urince Vesicalis. 



Definition.— A collection of urine in the bladder, with 

 subsequent distention of the bladder, ureters and pelvis of 

 the kidney. Retention of urine is a symptom of a number of 

 independent conditions or diseases which are found in the 

 dog and cat, often leading to inflammation of the bladder, 

 rupture, peritonitis, and uremia. 



Etiology.— Commonly caused by foreign bodies in the 

 urethra or neck of the bladder interfering with the voiding 

 of urine. These foreign bodies consist mainly of calculi of 

 different kinds, sediment, fibrin, blood coagula, etc. 



In paralysis of the bladder, the walls of the bladder lose 

 their tone. It may be due to affections of the spinal cord, 

 trauma, various forms of cystitis, or to emaciation and general 

 weakness, which allows the bladder to distend enormously. 

 The urine in some cases will flow out in a small continuous 

 stream after the distention has reached a certain degree. 



Compression of some portion of the urethra or neck of the 

 bladder from without, such as neoplasms, acute and chronic 

 prostatitis which is common in old dogs. Stricture of the 

 urethra from injury or surgical operations; compression by 

 distention of the uterus in pregnancy and diseases of this 

 organ; diseases of the penis in the male animal are further 

 causes. 



Spasmodic contraction of the sphincter vesi«e, which may 

 be due to sudden change in temperature especially cold 

 (chills); to some medicinal agent as strychnin; to some 

 diseases, cystitis, tetanus (rare). 



Symptoms. — The early indication of retention of urine is 

 ischuria (suppression of urine), or painful micturition with 

 only a small amount of urine passed. In the dog micturition 

 is accompanied by severe straining. 



In sensitive small animals there is usually considerable 

 abdominal pain, resembling acute indigestion or colic. The 

 back is arched and the gait is stiff and straddling. 



In a short time, in case the condition is not relieved, the 

 symptoms will increase in intensity until the bladder ruptures, 



