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Topic:Urinary Health
Urinary health in horses encompasses the study of the equine urinary system, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. This system is responsible for filtering blood, removing waste products, and regulating fluid and electrolyte balance. Conditions affecting urinary health can range from infections and obstructions to renal dysfunction and urolithiasis. Monitoring urinary health involves assessing clinical signs, conducting urinalysis, and utilizing imaging techniques. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and clinical management of urinary health issues in horses.
Sabulous cystitis in the horse: 13 cases (2013-2020). The objective of this study was to describe the clinical findings, medical management, and outcomes of horses with sabulous cystitis, and to describe a high flow bladder lavage procedure in horses that are standing or under general anesthesia. The medical records of 13 horses diagnosed with sabulous cystitis via cystoscopy between 2013 and 2020 were reviewed. Geldings (92%) and Warmbloods (46%) were overrepresented. The most common presenting complaint was urinary incontinence (69%). Complete blood cell count, serum biochemistry profile and urine cytology results were non-specific. Six (46%) h...
Effects of intravenous magnesium sulfate on serum calcium-regulating hormones and plasma and urinary electrolytes in healthy horses. Intravenous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is used in equine practice to treat hypomagnesemia, dysrhythmias, neurological disorders, and calcium dysregulation. MgSO4 is also used as a calming agent in equestrian events. Hypercalcemia affects calcium-regulating hormones, as well as plasma and urinary electrolytes; however, the effect of hypermagnesemia on these variables is unknown. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of hypermagnesemia on blood parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin (CT), ionized calcium (Ca2+), ionized magnesium (Mg2+), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl-) ...
Midbody penile urethrocutaneous fistula repaired by fistulectomy and urethral anastomosis in a stallion. A 12-year-old Friesian stallion was examined because of a 1-year history of preputial injury and urination through a urethrocutaneous fistula located at the midbody of the ventral aspect of the penis. Results: Physical examination revealed an opening with a clearly apparent mucocutaneous junction 12 cm from the distal opening of the urethra on the ventral left side of the penis. Endoscopic examination of the distal portion of the urethra confirmed a blind pouch with no communication with the fistula or proximal portion of the urethra. Results: A temporary perineal urethrostomy was performed wi...
Identification of Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) stabilizer roxadustat and its possible metabolites in thoroughbred horses for doping control. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) stabilizer belongs to a novel class of pharmacologically active substances, which are capable of inducing the endogenous erythropoietic system. The transcriptional activator HIF has been shown to significantly increase blood hemoglobin and is well set for the treatment of anemia resulting from chronic kidney disease. This research work reports a comprehensive study of the most popular HIF stabilizer roxadustat and its metabolites in thoroughbred horse urine after oral administration. The plausible structures of the detected metabolites were postulated using liqui...
[Uroperitoneum in neonatal foals – a review of the literature]. Uroperitoneum is a typical disease in newborn foals. An accumulation of urine develops in the abdominal cavity in consequence to a congenital or acquired leakage in the urinary tract. Colts are more frequently affected than fillies. The most common cause of uroperitoneum is a rupture of the dorsal urinary bladder wall. The urinary bladder is affected in 73.1 %, the urachus in 21.6 % and the ureter in 5.2 % of cases. Typical clinical signs occur 2-5 days postpartum, and encompass reduced general condition, abdominal distention, mild colic symptoms and unphysiologic micturition. Ultrasou...
Kavain detection in post-race equine urine sample: A case report. The study focuses on the discovery of kavain, a natural-occurring compound of the plant Piper methysticum, in a post-race urine sample of a horse. The researchers traced the potential source [...]
Urogenital Hypoplasia and X Chromosome Monosomy in a Draft Horse Filly. A 5-month-old draft horse filly was presented with incontinence and severe perivulvar dermatitis, which developed during the previous 2 months. Left-sided ectopic ureter entering in the caudal vaginal lumen, signs of cervix hypoplasia, and urine accumulation in the uterus were found during initial vaginal endoscopy. Therefore, a left ureter-nephrectomy was conducted under general anesthesia. Additionally, a cytogenetic examination was performed, which showed a XO monosomy with a 63,X/64,XX mosaic. This is the first case report presenting a chromosome abnormality in a draft horse filly combine...
Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Renal Failure Associated with Oxytetracycline Administration in Two Neonatal Foals Affected by Flexural Limb Deformity. Oxytetracycline (OTC) administration has become a frequent practice in equine neonatology for the treatment of flexural limb deformity. The cause of this condition remains unclear but clinical studies revealed that following IV administration of OTC a relaxation of the metacarpophalangeal joint occurs in foals affected by flexural deformity. Studies concluded that OTC administration in neonatal foals did not adversely affect the kidneys. Other adverse effects of OTC have never been reported. This report presents two cases with different outcomes of 3-day-old foals which presented acute collaps...
Detection and identification of ACP-105 and its metabolites in equine urine using LC/MS/MS after oral administration. ACP-105 is a novel nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) with a tissue-specific agonist effect and does not have side effects associated with the use of common androgens. This research reports a comprehensive study for the detection of ACP-105 and its metabolites in racehorses after oral administration (in vivo) and postulating its structures using mass spectrometric techniques. To obtain the metabolic profile of ACP-105, a selective and reliable LC-MS/MS method was developed. The chemical structures of the metabolites were determined based on their fragmentation pattern, a...
The Use of Pneumatic Impact Lithotripsy in a Laparoscopic Retrieval Pouch for Removal of Large Cystoliths in Two Female Horses. Two mares, aged 15 and 21 years, were examined because of urinary incontinence, intermittent hematuria, and urine scalding. On admission of both horses, physical parameters were within normal limits and urine scalding of the skin at the ventral perineum was noted. Transrectal palpation and cystoscopy revealed a large type I cystolith (>10 cm) with associated hyperemia and focal ulceration of the bladder mucosa. In horse 1, hemogram, serum biochemical analysis, and renal ultrasound were not performed because of owner finances. In horse 2, results from hematological and serum biochemical ana...
Prenatal Diagnosis of Megacystitis and Hydronephrosis in an Equine Fetus: How Transabdominal Ultrasonography Can Help to Diagnose Fetal Abnormalities. Premature udder development constitutes an alarm signal in pregnant mares. The objective of this clinical case report is to highlight the importance of transabdominal ultrasound examination of the fetus in these cases and to report a unique case of prenatal diagnosis of obstructive uropathy based on the observation of severe fetal hydronephrosis and megacystitis in utero. A 4-year-old French chaser primiparous mare was referred for evaluation of premature udder development during the ninth month of pregnancy. The mare had clinical signs within normal limits, a developed and sensitive udder wit...
Effect of a commercial anionic dietary supplement on urinary pH and concentrations of electrolytes and pH in blood of horses. To compare urine urinary pH, blood pH and concentration of electrolytes in blood of healthy horses fed an anionic salt supplement to achieve diets with a dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) of -40 or 0 mEq/kg DM, with horses a fed a diet with a DCAD of 85 mEq/kg DM. Eight healthy horses received each of three diets in a randomised crossover design. Diets consisted of grass hay and concentrate feed, with a varying amount of an anionic supplement to achieve a DCAD of 85 (control), 0 or -40 mEq/kg DM. They were fed for 14 days each with a washout period of 7 days between. Urine pH was m...
Detection, pharmacokinetics, and selected pharmacodynamic effects of methamphetamine following a single transmucosal and intravenous administration to exercised Thoroughbred horses. Methamphetamine is a central and peripheral nervous system stimulant. There is only a single study that describes exposure to and disposition of this compound in horses. The potential for abuse and inadvertent exposure in equine athletes along with the limited data available necessitates further study. The objectives of the current study were to describe drug and metabolite concentrations, develop an analytical method that could be used to regulate its use, and describe selected pharmacodynamic effects. In phase 1, six horses were randomized into three transmucosal dose groups (n = 2/group; ...
Equine urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase assay validation and correlation with other markers of kidney injury. Detection of equine acute kidney injury (AKI) is hindered by limited markers of early renal damage in horses. N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), a lysosomal enzyme in renal tubular epithelium released into urine during tubular insult, has shown promise for early identification of AKI in humans and other species. We validated an assay for NAG in equine urine and measured urinary NAG in 7 azotemic and 7 non-azotemic client-owned adult horses. The enzymatic NAG assay was validated using within- and between-run coefficients of variation (CVs), recovery following standard addition, and linearity ...
Equine Idiopathic Hemorrhagic Cystitis: Is It Idiopathic or More Likely to Be Exercise-Associated? Recently, a syndrome called "equine idiopathic hemorrhagic cystitis" was described and clinical features compared with bladder neoplasia. In this case report, we describe a case of hemorrhagic cystitis with a favorable outcome in a high-performance dressage horse, in which exercise intensity might be the etiologic factor for the development of bladder-wall hyperplasia and hematuria. A 14-year-old Warmblood gelding was presented with a history of hematuria of 2-day duration. The high-level dressage horse had performed on the previous 3 weekends and was trained at least three times a week at per...
A minimally invasive surgical technique for ureteral ostioplasty in two fillies with ureteral ectopia. CASE DESCRIPTION 2 fillies, aged 3 months and 1 month, were examined because of urinary incontinence and urine scalding. CLINICAL FINDINGS In horse 1, ultrasonography did not reveal any structural abnormalities of the kidneys; however, unilateral ureteral ectopia was diagnosed cystoscopically. In horse 2, CT revealed bilateral nephropathy, bilateral distended ureters (up to 3.6 cm in diameter), and bilateral ureteral ectopia. Cystoscopy revealed intramural ureteral ectopia with abnormally caudally positioned ureteral ostia in both horses. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Ureteral ostioplasty was performe...
Effect of urine contamination on stallion semen freezing ability. Urospermia is a common ejaculatory dysfunction of stallions. Current practice suggests that urine contaminated semen should not be used for cryopreservation. The aim of this study was to determine effects of urine contamination on semen freezing. Sixty-five ejaculates from eight stallions were divided into no urine (CONT), low (20% urine, LOW), and high (50% urine, HIGH) samples. Semen was extended with a commercial cooling extender, cushion-centrifuged, resuspended to 200 million/mL in a commercial egg-yolk based extender, and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. A subset of ejaculates (n = ...
Elevated urinary excretion of free pyridinoline in Friesian horses suggests a breed-specific increase in collagen degradation. Friesian horses are known for their high inbreeding rate resulting in several genetic diseases such as hydrocephaly and dwarfism. This last decade, several studies focused on two other presumed hereditary traits in Friesian horses: megaoesophagus and aortic rupture. The pathogenesis of these diseases remains obscure but an important role of collagen has been hypothesized. The purpose of this study was to examine possible breed-related differences in collagen catabolism. Urinary specimens from Friesian (n = 17, median age 10 years old) and Warmblood horses (n = 17, median age 10 years...
Ex vivo comparison of single-layer and double-layer laparoscopic closure of equine bladders with 2 types of barbed sutures. To compare laparoscopic single-layer versus double-layer closure of experimental, full-thickness incisions in adult equine urinary bladders using unidirectional and bidirectional barbed suture. Methods: Experimental, ex vivo, surgical study. Methods: Thirty adult equine cadaver urinary bladders. Methods: Bladders were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 6): intact controls, bladders sutured with unidirectional or bidirectional barbed suture in a single-layer closure, and bladders sutured with unidirectional or bidirectional barbed suture in a double-layer closure. A 5-cm apical incision wa...
Transurethral removal of a cystic urolith in a mare using a laparoscopic specimen pouch. Cystic urolithiasis is the most common form of urolithiasis reported in horses. In contrast to the gelding or stallion, clinical disease is less common in the mare and manual removal techniques are possible because of their shorter, wider urethral anatomy. However, these manual removal techniques can be traumatic and are limited by the size of the urolith. This report describes the use of a commercial laparoscopic specimen pouch to remove a cystic urolith in a mare. Conclusions: This approach may allow the extraction of larger uroliths per urethra in the mare, while affording some protection t...
Effects of vaginal conjugated equine estrogens and ospemifene on the rat vaginal wall and lower urinary tract. Although the positive effects of vaginal estrogens and the selective estrogen receptor modulator, ospemifene (OS), on the vaginal epithelium are well recognized, less is known regarding the effects of these therapies on the lower urinary tract or vaginal muscularis. Clinical evidence suggests that vaginally administered estrogen may improve overactive bladder-related symptoms. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of OS, vaginal conjugated equine estrogens (CEE), or both on the vaginal wall and lower urinary tract in a rat model of menopause. Contractile force of the bladder n...
Creatinine concentrations of accumulated intrauterine fluid to confirm the clinical diagnosis of urometra in mares. Urine pooling, as a persistent condition, is a cause of infertility in mares due to endometrial inflammation and sperm toxicity. Identification of urometra can be challenging in mares presenting with the condition intermittently, or when urine flows into the uterus but is undetectable in the vagina. Currently, there are no reported objective methods to confirm the clinical diagnosis of urine contamination in intrauterine-fluid accumulations. Since creatinine is present in high concentrations in urine and does not diffuse across cell membranes, creatinine concentration should be increased in ma...
Doping control analysis of lithium in horse urine and plasma by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Lithium salts are commonly prescribed to treat bipolar disorder in humans. They are effective for the treatment of acute mania and the prophylaxis of manic relapses through long-term use. Although there is no reported legitimate therapeutic use of lithium in horses, its potential mood-stabilizing effect, low cost, and ready availability make lithium salt a potential agent of abuse in equine sports, especially for equestrian competition horses. Lithium can be found in soil, plants, and water, as such it is naturally present in the equine body, thus a threshold is necessary to control its misuse...
Experimental investigation of the structural behavior of equine urethra. An integrated experimental and computational investigation was developed aiming to provide a methodology for characterizing the structural response of the urethral duct. The investigation provides information that are suitable for the actual comprehension of lower urinary tract mechanical functionality and the optimal design of prosthetic devices. Methods: Experimental activity entailed the execution of inflation tests performed on segments of horse penile urethras from both proximal and distal regions. Inflation tests were developed imposing different volumes. Each test was performed accordin...
Detomidine reduces isoflurane anesthetic requirement (MAC) in horses. To quantitate the dose- and time-related magnitude of the anesthetic sparing effect of, and selected physiological responses to detomidine during isoflurane anesthesia in horses. Methods: Randomized cross-over study. Methods: Three, healthy, young adult horses weighing 485 ± 14 kg. Methods: Horses were anesthetized on two occasions to determine the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane in O and then to measure the anesthetic sparing effect (time-related MAC reduction) following IV detomidine (0.03 and 0.06 mg kg). Selected common measures of cardiopulmonary function, blood glucos...
Use of an Absorbable Urethral Stent for the Management of a Urethral Stricture in a Stallion. To describe the successful management of a urethral stricture with an absorbable stent in a stallion. Methods: Clinical report. Methods: Stallion with a urethral stricture. Results: A 12-year-old Thoroughbred breeding stallion was evaluated for acute onset of colic. Uroperitoneum because of presumptive urinary bladder rupture, with urethral obstruction by a urethrolith, was diagnosed. The uroperitoneum was treated conservatively. The urethrolith was removed through a perineal urethrotomy. Approximately 15 weeks after urethrolith removal, the stallion presented with a urethral stricture. The st...
Use of a laparoscopic specimen retrieval pouch to facilitate removal of intact or fragmented cystic calculi from standing sedated horses: 8 cases (2012-2015). OBJECTIVE To evaluate the use of a laparoscopic specimen retrieval pouch for removal of intact or fragmented cystic calculi from standing horses. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 8 horses (5 geldings and 3 mares) with cystic calculi. PROCEDURES Physical examination and cystoscopic, ultrasonographic, and hematologic evaluations of urinary tract function were performed for each horse. A diagnosis of cystic calculus was made on the basis of results of cystoscopy and ultrasonography. Concurrent urolithiasis or other urinary tract abnormalities identified during preoperative evaluation wer...
