CHAPTER XVIII 



DISEASES OF THE URINARY AND REPRODUCTIVE 



ORGANS 



URINE AND URINARY ABNORMALITIES 



Abnormal color of the urine occurs from several causes. When 

 the urine is red, either red blood corpuscles, or the red coloring 

 matter of these corpuscles is present. The former condition re- 

 sults from severe inflammation of any portion of the urinary 

 tract. Injuries to the bladder from bladder-stone is a common 

 cause. When collected in a glass and allowed to stand, the blood- 

 corpuscles appear as a red sediment. In azoturia the urine takes 

 on a dark-brown or coffee color from the presence of large quanti- 

 ties of free hemoglobin (hemoglobinuria). 



Abnormal turbidity of the urine is uncommon. The turbidity 

 is due to the large amount of lime and magnesium salts in the 

 urine. The urine of the horse is normally turbid; that of the cow 

 clear. When the pelvis of the kidney or the bladder becomes 

 infected with pus-producing organisms the turbidity of the urine 

 is increased. A viscid, gelatinous sediment occurs in these cases 

 due to the presence of a large amount of mucin. 



Abnormal quantity of the urine is a frequent occurrence. An 

 affected animal is said to have polyuria. It is a symptom of 

 diabetes, and is also due to over-stimulation of the kidneys from 

 improper feeds or to reckless administration of diuretic medicines. 

 The patient shows great thirst, a depraved appetite, and a rough 

 coat. A decrease in the quantity is due to fever, weakness, or 

 sweating. 



Abnormal frequency of urination is a very disagreeable vice, 

 confined mostly to mares. They will stop at frequent intervals 

 to pass small quantities of urine. It may be caused by irrita- 

 tion from a stone in the bladder or by nervousness coincident 

 with the period of heat. 



Inability to urinate often complicates azoturia, colic, and other 

 diseases. It is due to a paralysis of the muscles in the bladder 



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