2 6 DISEASES OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



in the chronic form. If destruction and disability of the joints are 

 marked, the patient had best be killed for meat or fattened for the 

 same purpose. If any symptoms of metritis or septic condition of 

 the birth-canal remains, antiseptic douches and treatment recom- 

 mended under Metritis (p. 169) should be given. 



Arthritis, Traumatic. See Open Joints (p. 277). 



Ascites. 



Ascites, or a collection of free fluid in the peritoneal cavity, is 

 merely a symptom of various conditions : of chronic peritonitis, 

 chronic pericarditis, gestation, of cardiac, renal, lung or liver disease, 

 or pressure on the portal vein from any source, with congestion of 

 the portal system and exudation. It is secondary to exhaustive 

 diseases (hydremia), as uncinariasis in dogs and liver rot in sheep, 

 and anemia in old animals. There is a gradually enlarging, 

 pendulous belly, fluctuation on palpation, dulness in the dependent 

 part of the belly, a wave felt on one side of the belly on striking the 

 opposite side, movable dulness (as the position of the belly shifts) 

 on percussion, edema of the sheath (male) and limbs, weakness, and 

 general failure of condition. Examination per vagina and rectum 

 rules out distended bladder, pregnancy and intra-abdominal growths 

 (ovarian cysts) to some extent. Obesity, and a stomach distended 

 with fluid, must be eliminated. 



Treatment. — If it is impossible to determine the cause the con- 

 dition is treated symptomatically. Restrict fluids. To dogs, give 

 compound jalap powder (oss-i) in capsules three times daily to 

 produce catharsis and diuresis. Puncture the belly (dogs) a little 

 posterior to the navel (after emptying the bladder) with a trocar 

 under aseptic precautions, if there is dyspnea. 



Young dogs are sometimes cured by thus removing the fluid. 

 Bandaging the belly should be done immediately the fluid is with- 

 drawn, to prevent filling of the abdominal veins and shock. In the 



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