The dog is more frequently the subject of Calculi (stone), than is generally supposed. Their locality varies; may exist in the biliary ducts, the bladder, the kidneys, or in the urethra (the passage of the penis). In Biliary Calculi, those stones situated in the biliary ducts, providing they are sufficiently small to pass the duct, are not of great moment - in fact, upin post mortem their existence has often been discovered, while during life no pain or inconvenience was noticed, but should these stones be too large to pass the ducts, they are very painful and a most fruitful cause of jaundice. The bile, which in health passes through these ducts, becomes completely impeded in its progress, and is re-absorbed by the blood vessels entering the general system, and jaundice is established. The symptoms of biliary calculi, when not completly blocking the ducts, are excessive sickness and constipation, with pain in the abdomen. The treatment should consist in allaying the pain, when the stone will frequently pass in a natural way. For this give 5 to 30 drops tincture of opium every four hours, in a little water, and a soap and water enema night and morning to relieve the bowels, opium having a tendency to constipate.

Cystic Calculi is stone found in the bladder. It is supposed that their existence is rare, but such is not the case. A single large stone is not frequently seen, but a number of small ones, especially in old dogs, is not at all uncommon. In the former case, nothing short of an operation can possibly effect a cure; but when one takes into consideration the necessity of keeping a patient in one position after the operation it will be patent to most that in canine practice the removal of the stone is seldom, if ever, attended with success. Small calculi will frequently pass from the bladder into the urinary passages, and if small enough, out of the body, through the penis; but often these stones will become fixed in the urethra and the dog is unable to pass its water. The bladder becomes distended, and if not relieved, rupture of the organ results. When you find a dog cannot pass its water, get a catheter, rub a little olive oil or vaseline upon it, and the instrument inserted at the tip of the penis. Of course, the dog must be placed on its back. Insert the catheter very gently, and gradually pass it into the bladder. If there is a small calculus in the urethra the passage of the catheter will be obstructed, and while this is so, no extreme force must be used, or a very extensive injury may result. A little gentle and prolonged pressure may return the stone into the bladder, and so allow the urine to pass. If the stone cannot be returned in this attempt, inject into the passage of the penis, a little olive oil, and repeat the operation with the catheter. Calculi sometimes exist in the kidneys and may pass into the bladder, thence through the urinary passage, and so out of the body; but at other times they become too large to leave the organ, causing intense pain and subsequent death. The symptoms are first, stiffness across the loins, accompanied by pain when an attempt is made to move; the urine is passed in small quantities, and is frequently - indeed often - tinged with blood. In such cases it is a matter of relieving the pain, with the hope that the stone is small enough to gain an exit by the penis. To relieve the pain give 5 to 30 drops of tincture of opium, about every four hours, and apply hot flannels to the loins. A dose of oil to relieve the bowels is beneficial, as any straining in passing the faeces would increase the pain. It is best to leave these cases to the veterinarian.