376 



VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



removal of a pea-like calculus from the urethra is usually fol- 

 lowed sooner or later by the descent of another one which 

 necessitates reiteration of the operation, and when the blad- 

 der is evacuated of all of its calculi more will form. In the 

 horse, the few calculi encountered are usually single bodies 

 of considerable size, and since the formative process is un- 

 doubtedly slow, recurrence is not likely to occur during the 



Fig. 186 — Cystic Calculus Removed from a Gelding. 



few remaining years of the patient's life. In the ox and dog, 

 on the contrary, calculi sometimes develop rapidly; within 

 a few months the urinary tract may become choked with 

 them from pelvis to meatus. 



OPERATION IN HORSES.-The removal of calculi 

 from the bladder of horses is somewhat difficult on account 

 of the great distance from the ischial arch to the bladder. The 



Fig. 187 — Calculus Removed from a Gelding. 



operation can, however, be successfully performed even 

 against a stone of enormous volume, and with minimum dan- 

 ger to the patient, if the following special technique is care- 

 fully carried out. 



RESTRAINT. — Lateral recumbent restraint with pro- 

 found anaesthesia is required. The anaesthesia must be pro- 



