262 DISEASES OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



the urethra by calculus in these animals. In the large animals exam- 

 ination per rectum will discover the distension of the bladder and 

 sometimes stone in the bladder. In small patients palpation and 

 percussion over the hypogastrium will elicit the condition. In case 

 of obstruction by stone the use of a sound or palpation along the 

 course of the urethra may show its presence. Rupture of the blad- 

 der occurs after long over-distension followed by cessation of dysp- 

 nea, uriniferous breath, peritonitis and death. Thus sheep, after 

 exhibiting the symptoms of obstruction described above, together 

 with shivering fits, lie down and die from urethral stoppage or blad- 

 der rupture. Horses and dogs show decided symptoms of retention 

 of urine — from any of the causes enumerated — by colic and fre- 

 quent unsuccessful attempts at urination. Of course in horses such 

 symptoms are common in intestinal colic and black water, cystitis 

 and labor, but these can easily be determined and examination of the 

 bladder will elucidate the condition. 



Calculus of cattle is a winter disease in stall-fed animals, espec- 

 ially those living in limestone regions; in winter, because too dry 

 fodder is often given and the urine becomes too concentrated. This 

 is particularly true when much dry wheat bran is fed which is 

 unusually rich in ash and protein. Stone in the kidney is more 

 common in oxen and in them is more apt to produce symptoms. 

 This follows because these animals lose water while at work in 

 sweating and in accelerated respiration, and because work is more 

 apt to bring on symptoms from renal irritation in stone in the 

 kidney which often do not occur in animals at rest. The symptoms 

 of renal stone are briefly stiffness and weakness in the loins on 

 motion and tenderness in this region on pressure — with possibly 

 the appearance of blood or sand in the urine. In renal colic the 

 animal frequently gets up and down, shifts from one hind leg to 

 the other, looks at the flank and has urinary frequency. Accumula- 

 tions of stony matter may be seen about the hair of the sheath in 

 oxen. 



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