240 CANINE AND FELINE SURGERY 



it is often of advantage to place the patient in the dorsal 

 position, and introduce a speculum (Figs. 49 or 182) as an aid 

 to finding the urethral entrance. The catheter, \\hich in the 

 female may be gum elastic or metal instrument, is guided 

 gently by the forefinger into the orifice of the urethra, this 

 being found as a small opening on the ifoor of the vagina, 

 and carefully introduced in a slightly downward and back- 

 ward direction into the bladder. 



To pass the catheter in the male, the animal should be 

 placed on its back or side, the operator having both hands 

 free to manipulate the instrument and penis. The penis is 

 forced gentl}' but firmly out of the prepuce, the latter being 

 pushed back at the same time, and the catheter carefully 

 introduced into the urethra. Gentle pressure is then exerted, 

 and the catheter slowly passed into the bladder. Sometimes 

 resistance is met with when the instrument reaches the 

 perineal arch, but this can be readilj' overcome by withdraw- 

 ing the stylet for a short distance, and thus allowing the 

 more flexible cannula to go forward by itself. 



Having thus introduced the catheter into the bladder, the 

 only remaining procedure is to carefully withdra\\- the stylet 

 and allow the urine to come awaw 



Attention must alwaA's be paid to the cleanliness of the 

 catheter, and, before being introduced, the instrument should 

 be lubricated \\ith some antiseptic, such as pure vaseline, 

 boracic acid ointment, or oil containing some antiseptic, the 

 parts of the animal being also \\ell washed with soap and 

 water. 



Imperforate Urethra or Vag-ina. 



An imperforate urethra or vagina is occasionally met with 

 in the ne^\•ly-born puppy or kitten. It is readil)' discovered 

 upon careful examination, although, unless looked for, it may 

 not cause sufficient inconvenience or discomfort for some 

 daj-s, or e^•en \\eeks. Its presence may be suspected by an 



