Urinary Emergencies Flashcards
What structures make up the lower urinary tract?
(Bladder, urethra, +/- caudal ureters)
(T/F) If an animal has a urinary obstruction and a UTI, it is possible the UTI caused the obstruction.
(F, UTI is more likely to be a secondary issue)
What are some common diseases that cause urinary obstruction?
(Idiopathic cystitis, urolithiasis, and lower urinary neoplasia)
What are some common diseases that cause non-obstructive lower urinary disease?
(Idiopathic cystitis, urolithiasis, lower urinary neoplasia, and UTIs)
UTIs are very uncommon in cats when compared to sterile cystitis unless…..
(They have a comorbidity)
(T/F) Urinary obstructions are a life threatening emergency.
(T, they’ll die within a few days)
Both obstructive and non-obstructive lower urinary tract diseases are associated with pollakiuria, stranguria, dysuria, inappropriate urination, hematuria, and/or pyuria; how can you use clinical signs to tell them apart?
(Obstructive urinary tract dzs are more likely to have systemic dz (and will get worse the longer the obstruction goes untreated); this finding is not expected with non-obstructive urinary tract dzs)
When a patient is arriving for what you suspect is lower urinary tract disease based on the owner’s complaints, what is the first question you want to answer that will determine the order of your next steps?
(Whether the animal is obstructed or not)
What is the most useful diagnostic test for a UTI?
(Urine culture, sample should be obtained via cystocentesis)
What is the purpose of radiographs in a lower urinary tract dz case?
(To look for urolithiasis (radio opaque stones are the more common stones seen so that’s useful))
What can you use ultrasound to look for in a lower urinary tract dz case?
(Look for radiolucent uroliths, masses, clots, free fluid, and dilated ureters or kidneys)
Hypervolemia/hypovolemia (choose), hyperkalemia/hypokalemia (choose) and signs of shock (hypothermia, weak pulses, etc.) are common findings with obstructive urinary tract dz.
(Hypovolemia and hyperkalemia)
Why is heart rate not a reliable marker for clinical status in potentially urinary obstruction patients?
(Bc hyperkalemia could be masking tachycardia)
What procedures/treatments are involved in the stabilization of a patient with a urinary obstruction?
(IV catheter placement, fluid therapy, hyperkalemia therapy, pain management/sedation, and unblocking)
Why is LRS better for the kidneys?
(It is balanced which means lower in chloride which can be not optimal for injured kidneys)
What is the purpose of administering calcium gluconate to an urinary obstruction patient with hyperkalemia?
(Stabilize the electrical activity in the heart by restoring the difference between the resting and threshold potentials)
(T/F) Calcium gluconate is used to lower the concentration of potassium in the blood of a hyperkalemic patient.
(F, calcium gluconate has no effect on potassium concentration)
What are some drugs that can be administered to drive potassium into cells in hyperkalemic patients?
(Insulin and dextrose (dextrose can be used alone), bicarbonate, and methylxanthine bronchodilators (terbutaline, aminophylline, and albuterol))
Besides driving potassium into cells, how else can you treat hyperkalemia in a urinary obstruction patient?
(Increase potassium excretion → unblock and give fluids)
Why are opioids, benzodiazepines, and NMDA receptor antagonists some of the pain medications of choice for urinary obstruction patients?
(They are cardiovascular sparing drugs which is important for obstruction patients)
(T/F) The unblocking procedure for urinary obstructions should be sterile.
(T)
What is the normal output of urine in small animal patients?
(1-2 ml/kg/hr, usually obstruction patients have kidney injury so will be polyuric and will need to be monitored for that and return to normal and need to make sure matching losses with fluids)
The ideal length of time to leave a u-cath in for inflammation cases is unknown but ideally it would be after what is attained?
(Normal urine output is attained)
(T/F) It is incredibly rare, like close to 0%, for a male cat with idiopathic cystitis to have a concurrent UTI.
(T)