Urology-Dr. French Flashcards
What species are rads performed on when performing diagnostics for food animal urology?
Small/young ruminants
Which kidney can you palpate rectally and where is each kidney located in terms of vertebrae?
Palpate L kidney rectally (found on R side)
L kidney in 3rd-5th lumbar vertebra, mobile
R kidney in 12th thoracic-3rd lumbar vertebra, not mobile, cannot palpate rectally
Which kidney is more cranially located?
Right kidney
What is the physical appearance of a bovine kidney?
Lobulated
Smooth in sheep, goats and pig
If there is obstruction of the ureters, what will you rectally palpate?
Pulsation of the urethra
What are the four main compenents evaluated on a FA UA?
SG, pH, protein, ketones
What parameter do we monitor to evaluate renal function?
Crea in FA
BUN is recycled through the rumen which may prolong the time it takes to increase
What is a common cause of obstruction in small ruminant practice?
Obstructive urolithiasis commonly due to crystals
Common in early castrated small ruminants due to the smaller urethra size
What are struvite crystals in the urine usually caused by?
High concentrate diets (very common in backyard breeders)
Diets high in Ca, Mg and/or P
Vitamin A deficiency
If Ca carbonate/Ca oxalate crystals are seen what could it be caused by and what should you focus on for tx?
Caused by legumes/oxalates (apples, sweet potatoes, dock, pigweed)
Focus on pasture management with increased H20 for these crystals
What pH do calculi most commonly form in?
Alkaline urine
Where are the most common obstruction sites?
Urethral process
Distal sigmoid flexure
What are three syndromes that can be seen from obstructive urolithiasis?
- urethral obstruction (partial/complete)
- urethral rupture
- bladder rupture
What can prolonged partial obstruction cause in the urethra?
Urethral strictures
What are clinical findings in a patient with obstructive urolithiasis?
Stranguria (can look like constipation), kicking at abdomen (painful), tail switching, blood/crystals in preputial hairs, tachypnea, tachycardia
What are two sequelae to untreated urethral obstruction?
Ruptured urethra with accumulation of SQ urine ventrally
Ruptured bladder with development of uroperitoneum
If you suspect a ruptured urethra, what will you notice?
Ventral/preputial edema, signs of uremia, sloughing of SQ tissues, preputial adhesions
If you suspect a ruptured bladder what will you notice?
Pain may subside, gradual abdominal distention, depression, large amounts of abdominal fluids (clear fluids on tap)
What is the first thing we want to do in terms of treatment for an obstructive urolithiasis case?
Phenothiazine tranquilizers- we want the patient to relax!
What other treatments would you consider/administer for an obstructive urolithiasis patient?
IV fluids (NaCl), slow drainage of abdomen, anti-inflammatory drugs (ESSENTIAL)
What is a surgical management option for a small ruminant with an obstructive urolithiasis?
Amputation of urethral process
What is a problem with using urethral catheterization w/ retrograde flushing?
The urethra may be friable at obstruction site
Why is it difficult to catheterize the bladder in ruminants?
Suburethral diverticulum
What type of lavage solution will you use when using a urethral catheter for retrograde flushing?
Walpol’s solution (glacial acetic acid)
We are trying to make the environment as acidic as we can to try and break apart the crystals
What is the surgical treatment done in feedlot cattle for obstructive urolithiasis?
Perineal urethrostomy
What is the surgical treatment done in valuable bulls for obstructive urolithiasis?
Ischial urethrostomy (DIFFICULT)
What is the surgical treatment done in breeding animals and pets for obstructive urolithiasis?
Tube cystotomy
What is a common post-op problem with perineal urethrostomy?
Post-op stricture
What is the most common type of UTI?
Ascending infections commonly due to stagnation of urine flow from dehydration, downer cows, infected urachus, cystotomy tubes, trauma from uroliths
What are good Ab for a UTI?
Penicillin & B-lactams
What should you promote in a patient with a UTI?
Diuresis (flush out the bacteria)
What is the causative agent of contagious bovine pyelonephritis?
Corynebacterium renale
What is found on the UA of a patient with contagious bovine pyelonephritis?
RBC, WBC, protein and bacteria
What is the causative agent of ulcerative posthitis and vulvitis?
Corynebacterium renale
What is the pathogenesis of ulcerative posthitis and vulvitis?
Bacteria hydrolyzes urea to form ammonia in urine of animals on high protein diet which excretes high levels of urea
What type of small ruminants are worse off with ulcerative posthitis and vulvitis?
Angoras and Merionos due to hair at the preputial orifice
What is the treatment for ulcerative posthitis and vulvitis?
Debride and emollient antibacterial ointment
What is an acute disease of bulls and steers mainly caused by environmental issues?
Necrotic posthitis- usually due to wet feedlot pens
What is the agent commonly involved with necrotic posthitis?
Fusobacterium necrophorum
Chronic leptospirosis may lead to what?
Diffuse interstitial nephritis
What is the dx of choice for Leptospirosis?
Microscopic agglutination test (MAT)
What tx have been recommended for Leptospirosis patients?
Tetracyclines and penicillins
What is embolic nephritis secondary to?
Bacteremia or septicemia
What can chronic ingestion of braken fern lead to?
Intermittent hematuria and promotes bladder neoplasia
(exam may reveal thickened bladder)
No tx-remove from source
What are the toxic principles of Oak poisoning?
Tannin or gallotanin
When is a patent urachus commonly seen?
Post c-section
When will a urachal abscess develop?
within the first 1-2 weeks of life
T/F: polycystic kidney disease is typically bilateral
FALSE-unilateral
