ACUTE URETHRITIS. CATARRH OF THE URETHRA.
This occurs in all genera of domestic animals, and may be either acute or chronic. It is most common in the entire males, not only because of infections sustained in copulation, but because frequent erection exposes the opening of the urethra to injury and inflammation, and to the entrance of pathogenic germs.
Symptoms. Pruritus of the penis, and difficulty and pain in urination and straining are frequent, but a single small jet may be all that is passed at a time. The papilla on the end of the penis is red and angry and somewhat swollen. Later a few drops of muco-purulent fluid may be pressed from the orifice. In the bull, dog and boar this oozes from the retracted penis into the sheath, so that a collection is found in that canal, and the mucosa becomes infected causing a balanitis.
The infection may be conveyed from male to female and vice versa. Dr. Horand of Lyons even found that the muco-purulent discharge of gonorrhœa in man caused an urethral catarrh in the dog, which however did not persist for any great length of time.
Diagnosis is based on frequent and painful urination in jets, tenderness of the urethra under palpation or catheterization, redness and swelling round the urethral orifice, and the oozing of pus. In the absence of any external injury one should always ascertain if cystitis is present.
Prognosis is favorable under appropriate treatment. Spontaneous recovery will usually occur early.
Treatment. Dilute the urine. Give pure water to drink at will, or flaxseed gruel, or gum or barley water. Alkaline carbonates. In the early stage foment and use injection of potassium permanganate (2 grs. to 1 oz.). Later may be used more astringent agents (boric acid 1:100, zinc sulphate 1:100, lead acetate 1:100, potass. chlorate 3:100. In the presence of great pain cocaine muriate 2:100). There is danger of stricture from the stronger astringents or caustics in the early stages before suppuration. To complete the cure give copiaba, buchu, resin, or essence of turpentine.