RENAL CALCULUS.
This is much more common than is supposed. Small calculi formed in the tubuli uriniferi of cattle on dry winter feeding often pass without recognition, and habitually disappear on rich spring and summer grass.
If retained in the pelvis until increasing size forbids their passage through the ureter they form pelvic calculi.
If retained in the bladder so that they cannot enter the urethra they form cystic calculi.
Pelvic calculi or concretions are often (in cattle and swine) mere scales lying in chalices. They may fill the whole pelvis and send branching processes into chalices.
Causes. They are attributed to phosphaturia, lithæmia or uric acid diathesis, oxaluria, etc. In cattle they are associated with dry feeding and are common on all magnesian limestone soils. There are usually catarrh of the kidney and the presence of bacterial ferments and colloids (pus, albumen, etc.). (Sharing and Ord.) Calculi or gravel is preceded by renal catarrh, but this is aggravated by the crystalline deposit. Bacteria act also in producing NH3O, which instantly precipitates ammonio-magnesian phosphate. Retention of urine greatly favors the precipitation.
Symptoms. A white or brownish yellow deposit in the last urine discharged collects on the floor. Cloudy urine. Passage of crystals—round—or angular. Colic. Lameness in one or both hind limbs. Arched back. Sensitive loins. Pain paroxysmal. Attempts to urinate. Little passed but often with drops of blood. Sudden relief when the calculus enters the bladder.
Retained in the kidney it may cause no suffering in meat producing animals, but in horses it usually causes stiffness or lameness especially under violent effort. Also hematuria; blood globules are found in the deposit when placed under the microscope. There may be sepsis and specially cloudy offensive urine.
Diagnosis: May be confounded with renal tuberculosis, or sarcoma or oxaluria. Examine for bacillus, small cells, or oxalate of lime or oxalic acid.
Prophylaxis. In the early stages give succulent, watery food, ensilage, roots, potatoes, spring grass, and water ad libitum.
Treatment. Salt may tempt the patient to drink. Nitro-muriatic acid is a solvent and antiseptic. Or alkalies with salicylate of soda. Also tonics. Quiet pain by morphia and other anodynes. Use piperazine.
These failing, an operation on the kidney may be considered.
HYDRO-NEPHROSIS.
A common result of calculus or other obstruction, causing increasing pressure of urine in the pelvis and absorption of the parenchyma, and finally leaving a mere urinous sac.
RENAL TUMORS.
| 1. Non-malignant: | Fibroma. |
| Lipoma. | |
| Angioma. | |
| Adenoma. | |
| Papilloma. | |
| 2. Malignant: | Sarcoma. |
| Carcinoma. |