Intestinal Indigestion in the Dog with Constipation. 207 



the anus proves a factor by rendering defecation difficult and 

 painful. 



The formation of tumors around the anus, or inflammation and 

 swelling of the anal glands are additional causes. 



Symptoms. As in other animals this condition may be 

 chronic, lasting for a long time without leading to complete ob- 

 struction. The faeces are passed in hard foetid, whitish masses, 

 often partly divided, in pellets, dry, and polished on the surface 

 and covered with a film of mucus, sometimes blood. They are 

 pas.sed at considerable intervals, slowly and with painful effort 

 and straining. 



In the more advanced and violent cases defecation becomes ab- 

 solutely impossible, though the animal strains violently and fre- 

 quently. The anus and rectum bulge as a rounded swelling and 

 the conge.sted and bleeding mucous membrane may be exposed, 

 but nothing is passed. The anus is hot and tender to the touch 

 and the anal glands swollen. Manipulation of the abdomen be- 

 tween the two hands can detect the impacted gut extended for- 

 ward for a considerable distance, and even implicating the colon. 

 The oiled finger in the rectum may detect the impacted matter as a 

 conglomerate mass of gritty materials. If the appetite continues 

 this becomes all the more extensive. The affected animal is dull, 

 pro.strate and indisposed to exertion, seeking a dark retired place 

 where he can rest undisturbed curled up into a ball. Sometimes 

 he starts with a sharp yelp. Especially does he shrink and com- 

 plain when the belly is handled. If made to walk, he does so 

 stiffly, hangs head and tail, arches the back and tucks up the 

 belly. The face and eyes express severe suffering. Vomiting is 

 a frequent complication, the rejected matters being often feculent. 

 Colicy pains are indicated by yelping or moaning, enteritis and 

 peritonitis by hyperthermia and extreme abdominal tenderness. 

 The acute disease may last from one to two weeks, and death 

 may be preceded by auto-infection, by nervous symptoms of 

 various kinds or by enteritis or peritonitis. 



Lesions. These may be stated shortly as impaction, catarrh 

 or necrotic changes of the mucosa, more or less extensive inflam- 

 mations of the bowels and peritoneum, perforations, and con- 

 gestions of the liver and kidneys. 



Treatment. In the milder cases plenty of open air exercise 



