Cystitis, or inflammation of the bladder, is sometimes met with in dogs.

Amongst the causes of cystitis may be enumerated exposure to damp and cold, injuries, extension of inflammation from the kidneys, the irritation produced by a stone, by cantharides, etc.

Symptoms

The symptoms are, frequent pulse, restlessness, panting, and general constitutional disturbance. There is trembling of the hind legs, attended with frequent efforts to void urine, which is either not discharged at all, or passes away drop by drop. After the evacuation of the urine, the pain subsides for a time. When the dog, during the pain, looks round to his flank, etc., an inexperienced person may think that the case is one of simple colic; but the evident and unmistakable urinary difficulty will make the nature of the case plain. That portion of the belly in which the bladder is situated, is hot, full, and tender when examined with the fingers. The dog feels much pain when the bladder is examined through the rectum. The urine varies in its appearance, being either clear, or mixed with either mucus, sediment, or blood. If the disease go on, other symptoms make their appearance. The bladder, previously so irritable that it contracted with the greatest force on even a few drops of water, now loses its power, and the urine gradually accumulates within it. The muscular wall is in fact paralyzed. When the walls of the bladder are so much stretched that further dilatation is impossible, the neck of the bladder yields and the urine dribbles away involuntarily.

Treatment

1. When there are quick pulse; frequent desire to urinate, discharge of scanty, bloody, turbid, urine; pain on pressure in the region of the bladder, give Aconitum.*

2. When the urine is discharged drop by drop with great force; the pain increased during the act of passing it; the region of the bladder painful and distended, give Cantharis.

3. Nux vomica is another good remedy for the last-mentioned symptoms, and may be used in the rare event of Cantharis failing.

Food, Etc

Demulcents should be freely administered.

Of course, nothing can be done when the bladder bursts.

* For the dose, etc, refer to the "Introductory Remarks."