Approach to Urethral Obstruction Flashcards
what is a nephrectomy
removal of a kidney
what is a cystotomy
incising into the bladder
what is a urethrotomy
incising into the urethra
what is a urethrostomy
creating a permanent urethral stoma
where are potential urethrotomy/urethrostomy locations
perineal, scrotal, prescrotal
what are signs of urethral obstruction
dysuria
stranguria
pollakiuria
urine dripping from penis
persistent straining to urinate
prolonged time in litter tray
inappropriate urination (small volumes freq)
abdominal discomfort
malaise
what are consequences of urethral obstruction (4)
- post renal azotemia
- hyperkalemia
- hydronephrosis
- bladder damage
what can cause urethral obstruction in dogs (6)
- urolithiaisis
- prostatomegaly
- urethritis
- bladder neck/urethral neoplasia
- perineal hernia (retroflexed bladder)
- functional obstruction (ex spasm)
what can cause urethral obstructions in cats (4)
- feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) with obstruction (urethral spasm, urethral plugs, urolithiasis)
- bladder neck/urethral neoplasia
- prostate disease
- penile neoplasia
how do you manage an urethral obstruction initially (2)
- manage post renal failure: IV fluid therapy, manage hyperkalemia
- relieve obstruction: urethral catheterization, cystocentesis, +/- surgery
how do you investigate a urethral obstruction (5)
- history
- physical exam
- collect urine by cystocentesis
- assess renal function
- image to establish cause of obstruction
what in the history could indicate a urethral obstruction (3)
- prev history of urinary tract signs
- pattern of urination
- neuter status
what should you make sure to do in your physical exam with a urethral obstruction patient (3)
- penile evaluation
- rectal exam
- caution with abdominal palpation (rupture)
what is crystalluria
cyrstals in urine may be normal
indicates urine is supersaturated with mineral
may be at increased risk of developing stones
what are uroliths
stones in urine are always abnormal
kidney, ureter, bladder, urethra
bladder and urethral stones cause urethral obstruction
which types of cyrstals are normal in stored urine (3)
- struvite
- amorphous phosphate
- calcium oxalate
which crystals are abnormal in the urine
- cystine
- xanthine
- urate
what does supersaturation of the urine depend on
- urine pH
- urine concentration
what stone does alkaline urine favour the production of
struvate
what stone does acidic urine favour the production of
calcium oxalate
what uroliths are common in dogs and cats (3)
- struvite
- oxalate
- purine (including urate)
which uroliths are uncommon in cats and dogs (5)
- cystine
- compound
- mixed
- calcium phosphate
- silica
why is struvite associated with bacterial infection
associated with urease producing bacteria
urease breaks urea into ammonia and bicarbonate
ammonia forms complexes with Mg and PO4 and damages GAG layer
bicarb increases urine pH which reduces struvite solubility and increases dissolved PO4
what are urease producing bacteria
staphylococcus
proteus
e coli
pseudomonas
klebsiella
mycoplasma
enterococcus