Diseases of the Ruminant Urinary System

Question 1

What is the difference between haematuria & haemoglobinuria?

Answer 1

Distinguished on centrifugation
Haematuria –> Red blood cells settle at the bottom of the tube, leaving a clear yellow urine supernatant
Haemoglobinuria –> The urine sample remains clear red after centrifugation

Question 2

What causes pyelonephritis?

Answer 2

Corynebacterium renale

Sometimes E. coli

Question 3

What is hypospadia?

Answer 3

Failure of closure of the male urethra

Question 4

What is the treatment for Pyelonephritis (and cystitis)?

Answer 4

Penicillin or Oxytetracycline

If E coli, Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid

Question 5

What are the clinical signs of amyloidosis?

Answer 5

Off food and ill
Profuse diarrhoea
Generalised subcutaneous oedema
PU/PD
Proteinuria
Low plasma albumin
Pale swollen kidneys

Question 6

What are the clinical signs of pyelonephritis?

Answer 6

Chronic weight loss
Dysuria
Haematuria
Pus in urine
\+/- mild pyrexia
NORMAL APPETITIE

Question 7

What does ingestion of bracken cause in sheep?

Answer 7

Bright Blindness (sheep retinal atrophy)

Question 8

What does long-term ingestion of bracken cause in cows?

Answer 8

Enzootic haematuria

Question 9

What are the signs of acute bracken poisoning?

Answer 9

Depression of bone marrow --> pancytopenia + thrombocytopenia
Petechiae
S/C bruising
Blood clots (nose, faeces)
Bloody diarrhoea
Haematuria
DEATH

Question 10

What does acorn (oak) poisoning cause and why?

Answer 10

Toxic nephrosis
Contain tannins
Cause kidney damage

Question 11

What causes Bacillary haemoglobinuria? (Black disease)

Answer 11

Clostridium novyi type D

Clostridium haemolyticum

Question 12

What is the pathogenesis of Bacilliary haemoglobinuria?

Answer 12

Migrating fluke trigger dormant spores in liver

Pyrexia, jaundice, anaemia, oedema, haemoglobinuria

Question 13

In what group of animals does Babesiosis (Redwater fever) usually present?

Answer 13

Older non-immune animals, often bought in/moved into the area
Lack of “premunity” (infection while young)

Question 14

Which ticks are involved in the transmission of babesiosis?

Answer 14

Ixodes ricinus

Haemaphysalis punctata

Question 15

What protozoa causes babesiosis in the UK?

Answer 15

Babesia divergens

Intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite

Question 16

List 4 clinical signs of babesiosis

Answer 16

1. Pyrexia
2. Anaemia
3. Haemoglobinuria
4. Diarrhoea

Question 17

How do you diagnose babesiosis?

Answer 17

Take a blood smear

Evidence of parasites in RBCs and anaemia

Question 18

What is the treatment of babesiosis?

Answer 18

Imidocarb “Imizol”

Meat + milk withrawals

Question 19

What is the cause and treatment for post parturient haemoglobinuria?

Answer 19

Low phosphorous diet
(Lush spring grass, sugar beet pulp)
Treatment:
Phosphorous! 
(Vigophos, Catasol, Butaphosphan; all have B12 added)
Blood transfusion

Question 20

What are the most common type of calculi in livestock?

Answer 20

Calcium or magnesium ammonium phosphate

Question 21

In which animal can you not exteriorise the end of the penis?

Answer 21

Castrated goat

Must cut prepuce to access

Question 22

List ways to prevent urolithiasis in livestock

Answer 22

Check water access
Urinary acidification:
Ammonium Chloride, acid sodium phosphate
Check diet:
CaPhos ratio 1.2-2: 1
Ensure no added Mg to growing ram diets
Salt blocks to increase drinking

Question 23

What are the main treatments for urolithiasis in livestock?

Answer 23

Exteriorise end of penis
Catheterise urethra (flush with Walpole’s solution)
Percutaenous catheterisation of bladder (or surgically repair if ruptured)
Relaxants: Buscopan, Xylazine
Urethrostomy
Casualty slaughter