Urinary System Flashcards
What contributes to the cloudiness of horses urine
Mucous, calcium carbonate crystals
A horse is passing yellow urine that turns red in the snow. Is that normal? What is the cause?
Yes, normal
Presence of plant metabolites (pyrocatechines) in the urine that turn red/orange when mixed with oxygen
When is urine concentrated
When the kidneys are functioning properly
When the horse is dehydrated
Condition where kidneys stop working abruptly
Acute renal failure (ARF)
What toxins might cause acute renal failure
Antimicrobials
NSAIDS (phenylbutazone and flunixin)
Heavy metals (mercury)
Some plants (red maple)
Hemoglobin and myoglobin
How is ARF diagnosed
Bloodwork, urinalysis
How is ARF treated
IV fluids “filler up therapy”
Dopamine to dilate vessels
Furosemide = diuretic
Is ARF serious
If identified early, causative issue resolved, treatment is aggressive, no chronic damage then successful treatment
If dehydration is the issue, then reversible
Complications of ARF
Chronic renal failure (CRF)
What is a urolith (bladder stone)
Formation of hard, mineral (calcium) matter that forms in the bladder, causing irritation to the bladder wall and difficulty urinating
How are uroliths diagnosed
Clinical signs
- stranguria (straining to urinate)
- hematuria (blood in urine)
- dysuria (difficulty urinating)
Rectal palpation
Ultrasound
Endoscopy
Difference between stranguria and dysuria
Stranguria = urine still coming out
Dysuria = no urine coming out, completely blocked
Why do females easily get bladder infections
Urethra is wider, shorter urethra leading to bladder
How are uroliths treated
Surgery
- 40% recurrence rate
- surgical complications
Lithotripsy
What is urine specific gravity
Evaluate kidney function by testing for chemical concentrations in urine
