Prolapse of the Vagina 451 



the disease are a depression of the general vigor of the animal by 

 the close confinement and overfeeding, combined with a height- 

 ened intra-abdominal pressure, due to the presence of the gravid 

 uterus, intensified by bulky feeding. These lead to an infection 

 of the vaginal mucosa, which induces swelling accompanied by 

 straining — a chronic catarrh of the vagina with exalted intra- 

 abdominal pressure. Sometimes the tumor projects for a consid- 

 erable distance beyond the vulva and the cervix uteri may even 

 appear and protrude beyond the vulvar lips. (Prolapse of the 

 Vaginal Portion of the Uterus. ) In most cases, especially in the 

 ewe, the entire circumference of the vagina protrudes, as an 

 irregular, ring-Uke tumor. In other cases, especially in the cow, 

 only the floor of the vagina protrudes. Along with the vaginal 

 floor the urinary bladder may be everted and protrude beyond 

 the vulvar lips enclosed within the vagina, constituting vesico- 

 vaginocele. In this condition, the urethra is found close to the 

 lower commissure of the vulva and its canal extends upward and 

 backward into the urinary bladder, which now lies reversed, with 

 its fundus extending backward. 



When the prolapsed organ attains a large size and remains 

 exposed for a long time, it becomes excoriated and ulcerated and 

 the mucous membrane vastly thickened so that it may be ex- 

 tremely difficult to bring about its replacement. 



Prognosis. Once established, prolapse of the vagina in preg- 

 nant animals persists until parturition is completed, unless over- 

 come by proper handling. There is no visible tendency toward 

 spontaneous recovery. On the contrary, the malady tends to 

 become aggravated with time. 



The protruding organ comes in contact with bedding, manure 

 and other infecting and irritating objects. Occasionally it is 

 rubbed against the walls of the building or other objects, causing 

 laceration. Feces from the patient must pass over the tumor and 

 soil it. The tail is constantly in contact with the tumor and 

 serves to abrade it. 



Under these conditions the prolapsed organ becomes more and 

 more inflamed, thickened and painful. Straining occurs fre- 

 quently. The mucosa becomes greatly thickened and dark col- 

 ored, and more or less gangrene may occur. 



When vesico-vaginocele exists, the inverted po.sition of the 

 bladder, outside the body cavity, renders urination very difficult. 



