452 Veterinary Obstetrics 



All aid normally coming from the compression of the abdominal 

 walls is lost and the expulsion of urine must be accomplished by 

 the contraction of the bladder walls alone, against serious obsta- 

 cles to the escape of the urine through the urethra. The accu- 

 mulation of urine in the bladder, causing the distension of the 

 organ, increases greatly the size of the prolapse and intensifies 

 the suffering of the patient. 



The straining consequent upon the prolapse tends somewhat 

 toward dilation of the cervical canal and favors the extension of 

 the infection from the vagina along the cervical canal into the 

 uterine cavity. Such infection tends to sooner or later bring 

 about the death of the fetus, followed by its septic decomposition. 



The expulsive powers of the genital canal are at once weakened 

 so that, should the fetus perish, its expulsion is doubtful. In- 

 stead it is liable to be retained, decompose, and induce fatal sep- 

 sis of the mother. This is especially true in the ewe. 



The affection in the ewe is highly fatal, and most of the ani- 

 mals succumb unless handled carefully and early. In the cow the 

 affection has, in our hands, proven more amenable to treatment. 

 When the vaginal portion of the gravid uterus is so far displaced 

 that it protrudes beyond the vulva, the gravity of the malady 

 becomes heightened. 



A serious feature of the malady is the weakening of the in- 

 flamed vaginal walls. In some cases they become so fragile and 

 inextensible that they rupture during the passage of the fetus 

 through the vagina or during manipulation by the obstetrist or 

 others. The accident ends in fatal peritonitis. 



Treatment. — The treatment of this malady will vary materi- 

 ally in individual cases. If it is observed that the animal is 

 forced to lie with the posterior parts depressed, as in case of a 

 cow in a sloping stanchion, the declivity of the stall floor should 

 be corrected. Since the exalted intra-abdominal pressure has 

 much to do, in a mechanical way, with the causation of the dis- 

 ease, this tension should be largely overcome by giving a con- 

 centrated diet in limited amount and of a laxative character, to 

 reduce the volume of the abdominal contents as far as practicable. 



In those cases where the disease is well established and the 

 mucous membrane inflamed, general precautions do not serve to 

 overcome the disease. The prolapsed organ must be returned to 

 its position promptly and means applied which will cause it 



