Common Diseases of Dogs 



Diseases of the Urinary Tract 



Urinary disorders are not common in dogs and 

 their diagnosis and treatment are difficult. It is 

 important, however, that the dog has daily passages 

 of his urine and it is the owner's duty at all times to 

 keep this in mind. Retention of the urine is very 

 dangerous, for it quickly leads to uremic poison- 

 ing, which is fatal. If no water is passed for more 

 than twenty-four hours the matter should be given 

 immediate attention. The chief causes of retention 

 are paralysis of the bladder and the presence of 

 calculi, or stones in the urethra. Paralysis of the 

 bladder may be caused by direct injuries to the 

 region or to the spine. It comes secondary to con- 

 stipation and very often in pregnant bitches during 

 whelping. Stones or calculi are formed in the blad- 

 der and carried down into the urethra where they 

 become impacted, obstructing the passage of urine. 

 Retention of urine may be recognized by frequent 

 attempts at urination without results, or by the 

 passage of but a few drops. 



Urine discolored by blood is symptomatic of an 

 inflammation of the bladder, caused generally by 

 calculi. When the inflammation is intense or the 

 kidneys are involved, the urine becomes cloudy and, 

 sometimes, coflfee-colored. These conditions are 

 both dangerous and need prompt attention. 



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