152 KENNEL DISEASES. 
STONE IN THE BLADDER. 
Cystic calculus or stone in the bladder occurs in dogs only rarely, and most 
cases have been in subjects of advanced age. 
It may exist for a long time and not give rise to appreciable symptoms; but 
asa rule there are signs of irritability of the bladder, and occasionally symptoms 
of severe acute inflammation are presented. These exist for a time and then 
subside, to return again after another interval, which may be of a few weeks’ 
duration, or possibly of several months. 
Only a skilled hand can detect stone with reasonable certainty in any case, 
while in some instances a positive diagnosis would be absolutely impossible. 
There are outward signs, however, which are suggestive. One is the sudden 
stoppage of the flow during urination, the same being the consequence of the 
stone being washed against the neck of the bladder and made to act as a 
valve. Another is the appearance of blood in the urine. It is also sometimes 
found at the opening of the passage to the bladder after urination, in which case 
it is of bright red color and limited to afew drops. There are times when for 
the victim to void his urine is impossible for several hours, or he can pass only a 
few drops. He is then very restless, strains violently, whining the meanwhile, 
and keeps his head so turned that he faces his loins. 
If such experiences are frequent he loses his appetite and falls out of condi- 
tion. He is no longer able to take active exercise, but moves unsteadily, with 
legs apart and back arched; while now and then, the urine being retained, his 
abdomen is distended and the bladder can be felt through its walls. 
If of small size, the stone may become lodged in the urethra or neck of the 
bladder, and in consequence the passage of urine be entirely prevented, or at 
best it be discharged only drop by drop. 
Such condition existing, the urine must be drawn; the stone being first 
pushed back into the bladder, unless a small catheter can be made to slip by it. 
But to dislodge it or get by it is often impossible ; in which event, if an opera- 
tion is not performed and relief thereby effected, the bladder must burst in the 
course of two days. In that case the suffering for a time grows steadily more 
intense. There is at first extreme restlessness and evidently great pain; but 
eventually the poor dog becomes dull, and soon thereafter is wholly unconscious. 
He is bathed in cold sweat, trembles or shakes quite constantly, and possibly 
has convulsions before death brings relief. 
If the stone is too large to become fixed in the neck of the bladder or urinary 
passage, and the symptoms excited are mainly those of inflammation of the blad- 
der, the usual treatment for that affection should be applied; and likely they 
will subside under it in the course of ten days, but recur again in the near 
future. 
