Equine Urolithiasis

Question 1

clinical signs of urolithiasis in horses

Answer 1

frequent urination, pollakiuria, hematuria sometimes, colic sometimes

more common in males

Question 2

diagnostic plan for urolithiasis in horses

Answer 2

clinical sings
palpation per rectum
transrectal ultrasound
endoscopy

Question 3

tx plan for horse with urolithiasis

Answer 3

removal -> refer!

mares are much easier and cheaper becasue they have a shorter urethra and you may be able to manually remove it if your hand is small enough.

However, males require ischial urethrostomy where the urethra will heal by second intention

dietary management afterwards includes decreasing calcium, increasing water consumption and urine acidification

Question 4

almost all equine bladder stones are __

Answer 4

calcium carbonate

Question 5

T/F: recurrence of bladder stones is uncommon in horses

Answer 5

F! recurrence rate is up to 40%

Question 6

calcium carbonate stones form in an __pH

Answer 6

alkaline

Question 7

what is the single most common urinary tract disease in small ruminants

Answer 7

small ruminant urolithiasis

Question 8

clinical signs of small ruminant with urolithiasis

Answer 8

male castrated animal

early signs:
- decreased appetite
- separation from flock
- increased HR and RR

later:
- vocalization
- bruxism
- stranguria
- pollakiuria
- abdominal pain
- sand grit around prepuce
- pulsation of pelvic urethra

Question 9

dx plan for small ruminant with urolithiasis

Answer 9

• palpate bladder
• check for urethral pulsations
• abdominal pain
• Chem shows azotemia and hyperkalemia
• Ultrasound: round and turgid
• Rads: struvite often not visible but small size of stones/grit maybe
• examine urethral process

Question 10

tx plan for small ruminant with urolithiasis

Answer 10

amputation of urethral process may temporarily fix (good if going to slaughter)

if wanting to medically manage then dissolution of stones can be done by walpoles solution which is pH 4.5 and inj into the bladder

Sx options: perineal urethrotomy, perineal urethrostomy, tube cystotomy, bladder marsupialization
-preserve long term functioning of urethra

Question 11

tube cystotomy purpose

Answer 11

allows urine diversion
- reduce urethral spasms
- reduce inflammation
- pass stone

basically creates new urethra

Question 12

explain the steps of a tube cystotomy

Answer 12

1. paramedian incision
2. cystotomy (clean out bladder)
3. foley catheter placement
4. remove catheter >5 days (avg is 11) when urinating normally

Question 13

prevention of small ruminant bladder stones

Answer 13

• castration -> delay castration to at least 3 months
• more dilute urine (clean and warm water), supplement NaCl
• more acidic urine (ammonium chloride) 6-6.5pH
• reduce grain in diet with phosphate,

-increase dietary roughage-> increases salivation -> excrete P in saliva