THE URINARY ORGANS 243 



than in puppies or kittens. In cats it is more frequently seen 

 in the castrated male than in the uncastrated animal. 



Symptoms. — The animal is restless, appearing dull and 

 uneas}', looking at the flanks, and making frequent long but 

 ineffectual attempts to pass his urine. A few drops may 

 come awa}-, these being of a dark colour or blood-stained, and 

 during the act of attempting to micturate the pleading 

 expression of the eyes and anxious features give distinct 

 e\idence of the pain produced. When approached, the 

 patient \\ill wait until touched before moving from its posi- 

 tion. In the case of the dog the animal may raise its leg in 

 the usual normal manner, or stoop down like a bitch ; and 

 in the cat the penis protrudes to its fullest extent, the 

 extremity moving jerkily with the efforts produced. If 

 neglected for more than twenty-four hours, the distended 

 bladder can be readil}- felt as a large, hard, pear-shaped body 

 by manipulation through the abdominal wall. This manipu- 

 lation must be done between the thumb and fingers verj' 

 cautiousl}', as otherwise, if too much pressure is put upon it, 

 the bladder can readily be ruptured. If relief can be brought 

 about at this stage, the urine is practically normal in colour, 

 but, of course, increased in quantity. After twentj-four or 

 thirty-six hours' enforced retention it becomes of a darker 

 colour, and possesses a strong ammoniacal odour, ultimately 

 becoming coffee-coloured and foetid. 



The stone can readily be diagnosed when an attempt is 

 made to pass the catheter or sound, as it forms an obstruction 

 which prevents the instrument from going beyond a certain 

 point. In the majority of cases the calculi become lodged 

 in that portion of the canal which runs through the os penis 

 or immediate!)' behind that bone. Occasional^ it will be 

 found nearer the entrance to the bladder, and in the cat 

 the gravel may be at the extreme end of the penis, 

 near its orifice. Sometimes the catheter can be so manipu- 

 lated as to dislodge the stone, when, if it is not of too large 



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