GU Emergencies Flashcards
Acute Kidney Injury
(AKI)
Causes
- Ischemic or physiologic events
- Nephrotoxins
- Certain diseases
Chronic Kidney Failure
(CKF)
Causes
- Progressive congenital disease
- Renal disease acquired during life
FLUTD
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
Physical Obstruction
Where (Urologic)
- Urethra
- Urinary bladder
- Ureters
- Renal pelvis
Uroliths
- Composed of oganized crystals of phosphate, urate, cystine, and oxalate
- Caused by congenital abnormality in metabolism or excretion of these minerals
Stones
Urethral Plugs
- Malleable, disorganized substance
- Composed of struvite crystals and a matrix
- Formed from excessive bladder mucus secondary to irritation
Micturition
Action of urinating
Type of Obstruction Common
Dogs and Cats
Dogs
* often caused by organized uroliths
* urinary calculi most common
Cats
* debris less organized
* usually forms a urethral plug at tip of penis
Male vs Female Cat Obstructions
Females
* rare
* shorter urethra and wider urethral lumen
Males
* common
* lumen is small throughout entire length
* smaller lumen at the tip (where things get trapped)
Signs of a Blocked Cat
- Alert or Depressed*
- Stranguria
- Pollakiuria
- Spending longer times in the litter box
- Urinating outside of box
- Hematuria
- Restless
- Vocalization
- Uncomfortable
- Excessive grooming of urogenital region
*depends on duration and degree of obstruction
Stranguria
Straining to urinate
Pollakiuria
Passing small amounts of urine frequently
Blood Work to Run for Blocked Cats
- BUN
- Creatinine
- Electrolytes
- TP / PCV
- Glucose
- Potassium
Typical Treatment for Blocked Cats
- Analgesics / Antibiotics
- IV and Urinary Catheters
- BW - renal values
- ECG - monitor for cardiac arrhythmias cause by hyperkalemia
Sedations for Blocked Cats
Done prior to placing a urinary catheter unless patient is obtunded
* ketamine and midazolam
* Propofol
Isoflurane
Cystocentesis
Blocked Cats
Be cautious as the bladder is extremely friable and prone to injury
More accurate assessment of:
* bacteria
* cells
* crystals
* presence of blood or protein
* specific gravity
* pH of bladder
Hyperkalemia
Signs
- Bradycardia
- Diminished P waves
- Widened QRS complexes
- Increased T waves
Hyperkalemia
Treatment
- Dextrose/Glucose +/- Insulin given IV
- Calcium gluconate given slowly IV