URETERITIS.
From wounds, calculus, parasites, infection, injuries in parturition. Symptoms: in wounds of ureter. Course: danger of infection of kidney or bladder. Treatment: for calculus, antispasmodics, anodynes, fomentations, for parasites arsenious acid, for catarrhal conditions, balsams, buchu, salicylates, etc. Operation. Uretero-vaginal fistula.
This may arise from the passage of a rough calculus, from wounds of the ureter sustained in kicks and blows or by being run over by wheels (dogs, cats), it may be due to the blocking of the tube by a parasite such as strongylus gigas, echinococcus, etc., or it may be the result of extension of an infectious inflammation backward from the kidney or forward from the bladder. Again it may be the result of a lesion of the ureter in cases of dystokia.
The symptoms are obscure but there is likely to be frequent straining and passage of urine, tenderness of the loins, all the more significant if confined to one side, lameness or halting on the corresponding hind limb, and on examination through the rectum the swollen and tender cord representing the ureter may be recognizable. In case of calculus or other obstruction the ureter may be felt to be swollen, elastic and tender back to a slight nodular, painful, firm swelling at the seat of obstruction.
Course. In all such cases there is always danger of inflammation (infections or otherwise) of the kidney with degeneration and loss of structure and function, the organ being reduced to a simple urinous cyst (hydronephrosis). In some cases, however, the obstruction (calculus, parasite) may escape into the bladder and a recovery follow. Slight infections, too, may improve and advance to complete convalescence.
Treatment will depend much on the causative factor: Calculus must be treated by anodyne antispasmodics, and fomentations, and in case of relief by measures calculated to prevent its formation anew: parasites may be treated by arsenious acid, oil of turpentine, and other parasiticides which are secreted by the kidneys: catarrhal and infected conditions may be met by balsams, buchu, salicyclic acid and even peppers. In case of calculus which does not give promise of passing, even a surgical operation may be thought of, especially in the smaller house animals.
In rupture of the ureter in dystokia the walls of the womb or vagina have usually suffered, and a recovery with a ureterouterine or uretero-vaginal fistula is not unknown.