Urology Flashcards
urinary system function
maintain body homeostasis through eliminating waste products, blood filtration/reabsorption/secretion, fluid balance regulation, hormone production
creatinine
by-product of muscle metabolism, produced at a constant rate and filtered out by the glomeruli
small amounts produced daily but elevated levels seen with lack of functional glomeruli
influenced by fluid and hydration levels, pre-renal factors like shock, post-renal factors like bladder and urethral obstructions
urea nitrogen
by-product of protein metabolism
filtered out by glomeruli
increased levels = decreased function
up to 40% reabsorbed by tubules
absorption rate inversely related to urine output
FLUTD
feline lower urinary tract disease
common in cats 2-6 years
can be obstructive or non-obstructive
FLUTD CS
stranguria, dysuria, hematuria, pollikuria, inappropriate urination
FLUTD dx
rule out UTI- do culture and sensitivity, imaging and ultrasound- thick bladder wall from inflammation, +/- chem: BUN and creatinine
FLUTD tx
opioids, supplements (#1 glucosamine, #2 pheromones- Feliway), Amitriptyline, control stress
can take up to 4-6 weeks to reach therapeutic levels
client education for FLUTD
stress plays a role, can reoccur unpredictably, clean litter box, enrichment
litterbox rule of thumb
1 per cat + 1 more
urinary obstructions (UO)
restricted urine flow from urethra out urinary tract- emergency!!
by-products can’t get out and can get toxic (elevated potassium levels = heart issues)
UO causes
neoplasia, prostatic disorders, strictures, functional obstruction
uroliths (dogs), urethral plugs (cats)
urolith
stone formed from mineral salts found in the urinary tract
if passed save for analysis
urethral plug
mineral crystals, WBCs, RBCs, protein (mucus), and epithelial cells
if passed save for analysis
UO CS
pollikuria, stranguria, anuria, uremia, hematuria, vocalize while urinating
can lead to dehydration –> hypovolemia, hypothermia, hyperkalemia
UO dx
biochems: elevated potassium, phosphorus (metabolic acidosis), BUN, creatinine
imaging: rads +/- ultrasound
UO tx
1 relieve obstruction with urinary catheter
then…
sodium bicarb (for metabolic acidosis) and IVF to stabilize
diet: s/d food- for struvite crystals, only use short term (no longer than 6 months), c/d food- makes urine pH more acidic to dissolve crystals, provides calcium/struvite protection, can use long term
*only canned foods
cystitis
UTI
rare to see in healthy cat
common in female dogs
cystitis causes
bacteria gets into urinary tract from feces
#1. E. coli
cystitis CS
pollikuria, lick genitals, dysuria, hematuria, stranguria
cystitis dx
urinalysis with culture and sensitivity
cystitis tx
antibiotics
nonrenal causes for elevated levels of urea nitrogen
amount of protein ingested and absorbed, fever, corticosteroids
which biochem values evaluates renal failure?
SDMA, BUN, creatinine
SDMA
symmetric dimethylarginine
elevated when as little as 25% renal function is lost which helps identify renal failure before CS show up
