The A bdomen 1 95 



unnaturally prominent owing to distension by the underlying feces, 

 but where both rectum and anus are imperforate, this prominence 

 does not exist. Imperforate rectum alone is diagnosable only with 

 the aid of a probe. 



Treatment. A trocar of proper size may be employed to effect 

 an opening by puncture, but the operator must avoid injuring the 

 sphincter. An improvised bougie should be passed two or three 

 times daily to prevent the formation of cicatricial adhesions, and the 

 parts may be touched with lunar caustic as found necessary. 



FOREIGN BODIES. 



Foreign bodies which have escaped arrest in their progress 

 along the intestinal canal sometimes find lodgment just within the 

 anus. This is particularly true of fragments of bone. These are 

 apt to partially penetrate the wall and set up inflammatory dis- 

 turbances. Their presence is usually complicated with coprostasis 

 owing to the animal's disinclination to defecate on account of the 

 pain accompanying that act. 



Symptoms and Diagnosis. The symptoms are similar to those 

 of coprostasis. Palpation with the finger in the rectum will reveal 

 the presence of a foreign body. 



Treatment. The indications are to effect removal of the body, 

 if necessary with the aid of a rectal speculum and "forceps. 



FSEUDOCOPROSTASIS. 



This is a condition which occasionally occurs in long-haired 

 dogs, the hair around the anus becoming glued with fecal matter, 

 which forms, so to speak, a firm plaster over the anal orifice, and 

 eflFectually inhibits the function of defecation. 



Symptoms and Diagnosis. The symptoms are those of copros- 

 tasis. Examination of the anus will reveal the condition. 



Treatment. The only treatment required is to clip away the 

 hair from the anal orifice, to disintegrate it by hot applications, and 

 follow this up with a brisk purgative. 



SUPPURATION OP THE ANAL POUCHES, 



This disease is common, particularly in males. Normally, the 

 glandular wall of the anal pouches secretes a greyish or brownish 



