Catheter, How to Pass:
The passage (called the urethra) to the bladder is very small in the dog in consequence of there being a bone in the penis. It is also very long. The best kind of catheters are made of gutta-percha, and for small dogs the size called 0 is large enough. For dogs the size of terriers No. 1 size is required; for collies, etc., No. 2 size; and for larger dogs No. 3. These numbers refer to the diameter. As to length, they must, of course, vary also according to size of the dog—10 inches, 12 inches, 18 inches, and 2 feet respectively. Before being passed, the catheter must be well smeared over with vaseline, and the wire left in. The dog should be placed on his left side, with the right hind leg well drawn forward; the penis should be exposed for some inches, and held by means of a soft cloth; the catheter may then be gently passed. After going a short distance, that is to where the penis bends round, it will stop going in, or, at any rate, at this point it will be found a little more force is required to pass the instrument. When this part is reached, the wire should be drawn out for one or two inches, according to the size of the dog, then it will be found the catheter will pass on easily again; and when the bladder is reached, if it is full of water, it will commence to drip or dribble away—it never runs away fast, as the orifice in the catheter is small. Let the catheter remain in so long as urine continues to flow, and then gently withdraw it.
A catheter should never be passed more than twice a day. The instrument, when not in use, should, without the wire, be kept in a basin of saturated solution of boracic acid. The wire should be thoroughly cleaned and vaselined, and be put into the catheter just before being used.
Cerebral Congestion:
Symptoms: Often seen in distemper. The dog may be dull and heavy, or he may be very excited; eyes very congested; temperature high, 104 to 105° F.; constant working of the temporal muscles. Dogs in this condition are often ravenous for food, and diarrhœa may be present. If relief is not given, convulsions usually follow.
Treatment: Keep dog absolutely quiet in a darkened room. If bowels constipated, give purgative medicine, also give from three grains to one scruple of bromide of strontia[1] in water three or four times a day. Apply ice in a waterproof sponge bag or sheep’s bladder to forehead for fifteen minutes or so at a time several times a day.
Diet: Liquid food should only be given, as milk with Benger’s food, egg and milk—the yolk of the egg should not be given if there is much diarrhœa; some mutton broth or Brand’s essence may be allowed occasionally. In severe cases a blister or seton at the back of the neck should be applied.
Chalky Stones:
Symptoms: Affects principally the knees, hocks, and stifle joints occasionally of old dogs—the result of the deposit of urates.