UREMIA 225 



the presence of renal stones (nephrolithiasis). The stones 

 consist of carbgnate of lime, oxalate of lime, silicates and 

 phosphate salts. Renal stones probably develop from the 

 deposit of salts around a nucleus, such as mucous epithelium 

 or even bacteria. They induce in the kidneys various 

 changes such as pyelitis or pyelonephritis and the so-called 

 hydronephrosis . 



Occurrence. — ^While kidney stones are rarer in animals 

 than in man, they are seen occasionally in horses and cattle. 

 They also occur among sheep and swine. In sheep they 

 commonly result from the feeding of root crops, such as 

 potatoes, sugar beets, beets, etc. In some instances among 

 sheep, kidney stones appear enzootically. 



Symptoms. — ^The symptoms are rather vague. Very often 

 they produce no symptoms whatever. In other cases the 

 patient suffers from renal colic, bloody urine, partial or total 

 suppression of urine, and even uremia. The urine passed is 

 sometimes bloody or may be cloudy from pus. Sometimes 

 sand or grit is passed, which adheres to the hairs around the 

 sheath opening. On rectal examination the symptoms of 

 pyelonephritis may be determined, and occasionally a slight 

 crepitation can be felt, due to the movement of the stones 

 against one another. 



Treatment. — ^The treatment in animals is not successful, 

 and operative procedure, except in dogs, is hardly advisable 

 on account of the risk. 



UREMIA. 



Definition. — A poisoning of the blood with the constituents 

 of the urine. 



Occurrence. — Uremia can occur in any condition in which 

 the normal discharge of urine is impeded. 



Etiology. — ^Uremia may result from nephritis, kidney 

 tumors, kidney stones, obstruction of the ureters, bladder 

 or urethra, or paralysis of the bladder. 



Symptoms. — ^The symptoms usually follow kidney disease 

 where there has been complete retention of urine. The 

 patients show spasms, weakness, coma and subnormal 

 temperature. The respirations are generally retarded, and 

 the sweat may have a urinous odor, especially after rupture 

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