148 KENNEL DISEASES. 
The symptoms present are scanty and albuminous urine, vomiting and diar- 
theea at times, and finally dropsy and convulsions shortly before death. 
Cancer sometimes involves the kidney. Usually it is a primary affection, 
although it may be an extension of malignant disease in some other part of the 
body. 
Its symptoms are very obscure, and consist of bloody urine, tenderness in 
the loins, a tumor in the region of the kidney, emaciation, and exhaustion. 
In each kidney there is a cavity, called the pelvis, into which the uriniferous 
tubes discharge the urine. This is subject to inflammation, termed pyelitis. 
The same may be induced by exposure to cold, the presence of stone, obstruction 
to the lower urinary passage which causes retention and decomposition of the 
urine, and by extension of inflammation from the bladder. It is also theorized 
that it may be caused by poisonous irritants passing through the kidneys; and it 
is known to have been produced by a parasite named the strongylus gigas. 
It may be of mild or of severe and destructive form. The symptoms usually 
closely resemble those which are manifested by acute nephritis, to which are 
commonly added signs of catarrh of the bladder. Buta positive diagnosis is 
only possible by means of the microscope, under which appear peculiar forms of 
epithelium. 
So-called cysts of the kidneys are dilatations and enlargements of the pelvis, 
produced by obstructions in the lower urinary passages. Where the obstruction 
is great and of long continuance a pelvis is so much distended that its walls 
become thin and the appearance of the kidney is bladder-like. 
When the enlargement is great a tumor can be felt in the region of the kid- 
ney. If only one organ is affected, other and prominent symptoms are not likely 
to be exhibited; but where both kidneys are involved, the urine is soon sup- 
pressed and uremic poisoning occurs. 
Stones are now and then found in the pelvis of the kidneys, varying in size 
from a pin’s head to that of a bean, or possibly larger. While yet very small 
they may make their way out through the urinary passage, causing intense pain. 
Large stones, however, are not productive of any characteristic symptoms. 
