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.
Grant DC, Westropp JL, Shiraki R, Ruby AL.Laser lithotripsy has been used as an alternative to surgical removal of uroliths. Objective: To describe the procedure and efficacy of laser lithotripsy for removal of lower urinary tract uroliths in horses. Additionally, the ultrastructure and the differences in mineralogy and microstructure from 1 successful and 1 unsuccessful laser lithotripsy case are described. Methods: Six client-owned horses with 7 episodes of naturally occurring urocystoliths, urethroliths, or both. Methods: Retrospective study of all horses treated between 2006 and 2008 by laser lithotripsy. All horses were sedated f...
Savage CJ.Urinary specific gravity (USG) measurements are underused by equine ambulatory veterinarians. Urinary dipstick and USG findings can assist in the diagnosis and prognosis of many disease processes in the horse. Simple methods for measurement of the glomerular filtration rate and urinary biochemical markers can improve equine urinary diagnostic abilities in critical care patients. Fractional excretion of electrolytes and minerals assists in fluid care and in management of nutrition of horses.
Bhide M, Yilmaz Z, Golcu E, Torun S, Mikula I.The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies in a population of Turkish dogs and horses, as well as to compare the sensitivity of novel flow-cytometry-based borreliacidal antibody test (BAT) with ELISA assay. Serum samples collected from 400 dogs and 300 horses were tested with enzyme-linked protein A/G assay (ELPAGA), using Borrelia whole cell antigens. ELPAGA test showed 93 dogs (23.2%) and 18 horses (6%) serologically positive for anti-Borrelia antibodies. In parallel testing of sera with BAT, we found 27.75% positive dogs and 6.33% positi...
Rendle DI, Durham AE, Hughes KJ, Lloyd D, Summerhays GE.Five horses with sabulous cystitis were managed for up to three years. They were treated by emptying the bladder through a urinary catheter and saline lavage with cytoscopic guidance to remove residual sabulous material. The cystitis was treated with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory medications, and bethanechol chloride was also administered. Frequent catheterisation and emptying of the bladder was an alternative to regular cystoscopic examination with saline lavage but it resulted in the development of a urethral stricture in one case. Four of the horses returned to work and one was retire...
Butters A.A 4-day-old, male, American paint foal was presented for abdominal distention, respiratory distress, and diarrhea. Bladder rupture and uroperitoneum were diagnosed following abdominal ultrasonography and abdominocentesis. The defect in the dorsocranial part of the bladder wall was surgically repaired. Un poulain American Paint mâle âgé de quatre jours est présenté pour ballonnement abdominal, détresse respiratoire et diarrhée. Une rupture de la vessie et un uropéritoine sont diagnostiqués après une échographie et une paracentèse abdominale. Le défaut dans la partie dorso-crânial...
Chaney KP.Congenital anomalies of the urinary tract in horses may be difficult to diagnose and treat. Presenting complaints are variable and include weight loss, depression, dysuria, hematuria, and mild colic. Although the most severe abnormalities are diagnosed in the neonate, some diseases, such as ectopic ureter(s), may be identified in older horses. In human medicine, the fetus is examined in the prenatal period for evidence of urinary tract dysfunction, but this is not yet common practice in equine medicine. As a result, urinary tract anomalies are diagnosed after birth using a wide variety of diag...
Wilson ME.Pathologic conditions of the urinary tract may produce specific clinical signs, but they are more than likely to be nonspecific clinical signs, which often occur with chronic renal disease in addition to countless other diseases. Further, clinical signs that may seem to be directly related to the urinary tract may be the result of other systemic diseases. Thus, before embarking on diagnostics, it is important to obtain a thorough history and physical examination.
Schmitz DG.Many different substances can induce toxic damage to various structural components of the equine kidney, and most lack pathognomonic signs. Some of these agents have specific treatments, although many do not. Supportive and symptomatic therapy is an important aspect of treatment of most cases of equine nephrotoxicosis. Regardless of cause, if the toxic substance is removed or neutralized before significant renal damage, full recovery of renal function may occur. Many horses already have significant renal damage before a definitive diagnosis is made, and the prognosis for full recovery thus rem...
Toribio RE.Knowledge of urinary tract anatomy and the numerous functions of the kidney in regulating fluids, electrolytes, acid-base balance, and waste products improves the ability of the clinician to diagnose, treat, and make appropriate recommendations for the management of the horse with renal disease. Several conditions can directly or indirectly affect renal function on a temporary or permanent basis. Endogenous and exogenous compounds (eg, drugs, toxins, hemoglobin) alone or in combination with inappropriate renal blood flow can promote or exacerbate renal disease.
Schumacher J.Hematuria and pigmenturia of horses are discussed in this article. Equine urine is normally straw colored. Discolored urine can be caused by contamination with red blood cells, hemoglobin, myoglobin, oxidizing agents normally found in urine, and plant-derived pigments.
Duesterdieck-Zellmer KF.The prevalence of equine urolithiasis has been estimated to be low. In horses with clinical signs of urolithiasis, uroliths are most commonly encountered in the urinary bladder, but it is not uncommon to detect uroliths in more than one location. The most common clinical signs for cystic calculi are urine scalding of the hind limbs, hematuria, tenesmus and dysuria. Numerous surgical techniques and approaches have been described for the treatment of urolithiasis in horses; however, independent of which approach is chosen, the goal should be to remove all calculi completely from the urinary trac...
Diaz OS, Smith G, Reef VB.The purpose of this study was to describe the normal ultrasonographic appearance of the caudal portion of the equine ureters, pelvic urethra, and urinary bladder and to assess ureteral contractility. Fifteen horses with no evidence of urinary tract disease (five females, five intact males and five geldings) were studied. The lower urinary tract was evaluated ultrasonographically using a transrectal approach. The normal ultrasonographic appearance and anatomic location of structures of the lower urinary tract were evaluated and anatomic relationships described. Both ureters were identified dors...
Schwarz S, Alesík E, Grobbel M, Lübke-Becker A, Werckenthin C, Wieler LH, Wallmann J.A total of 500 streptococci from two indications of swine (beta-haemolytic streptococci from infections of the urinary/genital tract including strains from the mastitis metritis agalactia syndrome as well as S. suis from infections of the central nervous system and the musculoskeletal system), two indications of horses (S. equi from respiratory tract infections and beta-haemolytic streptococci from infections of the genital tract), as well as three indications of dogs and cats (beta-haemolytic streptococci from infections of the respiratory tract, the urinary/genital tract, and skin/ear/mouth)...
Grobbel M, Lübke-Becker A, Alesík E, Schwarz S, Wallmann J, Werckenthin C, Wieler LH.A total of 120 isolates of Klebsiella spp. and Proteus spp. collected from horses and small animals (dogs and cats) were screened for their susceptibility to 24 different antimicrobial agents. Klebsiella spp. were included from infections of the genital tract (GT) of horses (36 isolates) and the urinary/genital tract (UGT) from dogs and cats (17 isolates), while Proteus spp. were from small animal (dogs and cats) infections of the UGT (37 strains) and the skin (incl. ear/mouth) (30 isolates). In Klebsiella spp. resistance appeared most frequently to ampicillin (53-67%), sulfamethoxazole (19-29...
de Lima CR, Baccarin RY, Michelacci YM.The relevance of glycosaminoglycan determination in biological fluids is gradually gaining importance in the literature. Nevertheless, the results obtained by different methods vary widely. We evaluated 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue (DMB) dye-binding assays for quantification of urinary glycosaminoglycans, in comparison to densitometry after agarose gel electrophoresis. Methods: Urinary glycosaminoglycans from different mammalian species were quantified by 3 different DMB dye-binding assays. The results were compared to those obtained by densitometry after agarose gel electrophoresis of glycosami...
Frye MA.Equine urinary tract infection (UTI) most commonly occurs as a sequela to structural or functional inhibition of normal urine flow. Although it is an infrequent diagnosis in equids, the incidence of UTI in human beings is high and has inspired great investigative effort. The resultant findings with potentially broad application as well as current equine studies are reviewed here. Recent developments in the understanding of host-agent interactions and renal defense mechanisms, emerging antimicrobial resistance, and novel therapeutic alternatives to prophylactic antibiotic use are emphasized.
Escala J, Gatherer ME, Voûte L, Love S.Altered intestinal permeability is implicated in the pathogenesis of diverse equine medical conditions including alimentary laminitis and protein-losing enteropathies associated with parasitic infection. The aims of this study were to assess the feasibility of applying the 51Cr-EDTA absorption test for the assessment of intestinal permeability in the horse, and to apply this test in horses with experimentally induced alterations in gastrointestinal function. Four healthy ponies were administered 36 MBq of 51Cr-EDTA via naso-gastric tube, and urine samples were collected into polythene bags str...
Toribio RE, Kohn CW, Hardy J, Rosol TJ.Hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia are common in horses with sepsis and endotoxemia. We hypothesize that endotoxemia triggers a systemic inflammatory response that results in hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) administration to healthy horses on serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), ionized calcium (Ca2+) and total calcium (tCa), ionized magnesium (Mg2+) and total magnesium (tMg), phosphate (Pi), potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), chloride (Cl-), and insulin concentrations, and on the urinary excretion of these electro...
Kohn RA, Dinneen MM, Russek-Cohen E.The objectives of this study were to evaluate the potential for using blood urea N concentration to predict urinary N excretion rate, and to develop a mathematical model to estimate important variables of N utilization for several different species of farm animals and for rats. Treatment means (n = 251) from 41 research publications were used to develop mathematical relationships. There was a strong linear relationship between blood urea N concentration (mg/100 mL) and rate of N excretion (g x d(-1) x kg BW(-1)) for all animal species investigated. The N clearance rate of the kidney (L of bloo...
Saulez MN, Cebra CK, Heidel JR, Walker RD, Singh R, Bird KE.A 17-year-old gelding was evaluated because of dysuria, inappetence, and weight loss. Cystoscopy revealed severe mucosal ecchymoses with luminal hemorrhage and accumulations of crystalloid sludge. Analysis of a urine sample revealed isosthenuria, an alkaline pH, pyuria, hematuria, bacteriuria, and numerous calcium carbonate crystals. Histologic examination of bladder mucosa biopsy specimens revealed severe neutrophilic infiltration with mineralization. A diagnosis of encrusted cystitis exacerbated by sabulous urolithiasis was made. A Corynebacterium sp susceptible to penicillin, sulfonamide, a...
Beard W.To describe parainguinal laparocystotomy for urolith removal and to report outcome. Methods: Prospective clinical study. Methods: Ten geldings with uroliths. Methods: Signalment, number, size, type of uroliths, surgical technique, and complications were recorded. Long-term follow-up was obtained by telephone interviews with the client and/or examination by the referring veterinarian. Results: Cystic calculi, 3-9 cm in diameter, were removed by parainguinal laparocystotomy. Mean surgical time was 59 minutes (range, 40-100 minutes). With this approach, ligation of the pudendal or superficial epi...
Diaz OS, Zarucco L, Dolente B, Reef VB.A 14-year-old thoroughbred gelding was presented for the evaluation of acute abdominal pain. Rectally, there was a soft fluctuant painful swelling dorsal to the bladder and to the right of the midline. The creatinine concentration of the peritoneal fluid was 15 mg/dl. Transrectal ultrasonographic examination of the urinary tract revealed a large collection of fluid dissecting from the pelvic portion of the right ureter ventrally through the right side of the bladder wall and into the retroperitoneal space, and a thickened right ureter and bladder wall at the level of the trigone. Cystoscopical...
Ragle CA.Laparoscopic cystotomy is the method of choice for treatment of a cystic calculus in the horse. The main advantage of this procedure over others is the excellent ability to view and gain operative access to the urinary bladder. This article describes the procedure, including techniques, instrumentation, preoperative and postoperative care, and complications.
Wasfi IA, Abdel Hadi AA, Elghazali M, Alkateeri NA, Hussain MM, Hamid AM.The pharmacokinetics of diphenhydramine (DPHM) was compared in camels (n = 8) and horses (n = 6) following intravenous (i.v.) administration of a dose of 0.625 mg/kg body weight. In addition, the metabolism and urinary detection time of DPHM was evaluated in camels. The data obtained (median and range in brackets) in camels and horses, respectively, were as follows. The terminal elimination half lives (h) were 1.58 (1.13-2.58) and 6.11 (4.80-14.1), and the total body clearances (L/h per kg) were 1.42 (1.13-1.74) and 0.79 (0.66-0.90). The volumes of distribution at steady state (L/kg) were 2.38...
Walesby HA, Ragle CA, Booth LC.A 12-year-old stallion was evaluated because of pollakiuria; endoscopy of the urinary tract during general anesthesia revealed that the urinary bladder was intact. After recovery, the stallion developed clinical and biochemical signs of bladder rupture, which was confirmed by endoscopy. Cystoplasty in adult stallions represents a unique surgical dilemma; the large distance between the incision site and the bladder necessitates the repair be accomplished under maximum tension with minimal exposure. Because traditional surgical approaches through ventral midline or paramedian incisions provide l...
Auge BK, Preminger GM.The surgical management of urinary calculus disease has changed dramatically in the past two decades. Minimally invasive options have made open stone surgery nearly obsolete. The development of shock wave lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrostolithotomy techniques and intracorporeal lithotripsy devices has conferred unprecedented management tools for upper tract stones. Moreover, transfusion rates, hospital costs, and convalescence periods have been markedly reduced when compared to open surgery. Likewise, the advent of fiberoptic technology has resulted in miniaturization of ureteroscopes making ...
Tomlinson JE, Farnsworth K, Sage AM, Turner TA, Wilson JH.Ultrasound-guided percutaneous pyelography has previously been used in dogs to diagnose ectopic ureter. To the authors' knowledge its use has never been reported in the horse. This paper reports the technique used in a three-week-old filly with a suspected ectopic ureter. Pyelography can be performed under sedation and is a relatively simple, safe procedure. The technique enables assessment of individual renal function through collection and analysis of urine from each renal pelvis.
Edwards RB, Ducharme NG, Hackett RP.Ruptured bladder was diagnosed in a 90-day-old Thoroughbred colt that had suffered a open, comminuted tibial fracture 2 days earlier. The bladder rupture was identified by laparoscopic examination of the abdomen and was repaired using a laparoscopic stapling instrument. This technique provided good visualization and allowed repair of the rupture with minimal intervention. Ten months after surgery, the foal was admitted to a referral surgical practice because of colic and stanguria. A urinary calculus was removed from the penile urethra by urethrotomy. Laparoscopic repair of the bladder with no...
Butters A.A 4-day-old, male, American paint foal was presented for abdominal distention, respiratory distress, and diarrhea. Bladder rupture and uroperitoneum were diagnosed following abdominal ultrasonography and abdominocentesis. The defect in the dorsocranial part of the bladder wall was surgically repaired. Un poulain American Paint mâle âgé de quatre jours est présenté pour ballonnement abdominal, détresse respiratoire et diarrhée. Une rupture de la vessie et un uropéritoine sont diagnostiqués après une échographie et une paracentèse abdominale. Le défaut dans la partie dorso-crânial...
May KA, Pleasant RS, Howard RD, Moll HD, Duesterdieck KF, MacAllister CG, Bartels KE.Holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser lithotripsy was attempted in a mare and a gelding with calculi in the urinary bladder. The procedure was unsuccessful in producing adequate fragmentation of the calculi. In the gelding, pulsed dye laser lithotripsy was subsequently used to fragment the urolith. Manual removal of the urolith via the urethra was performed in the mare.
Ellero N, Freccero F, Lanci A, Morini M, Castagnetti C, Mariella J.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...
Dean PW, Robertson JT.A urachal remnant, causing pollakiuria and dysuria, was diagnosed by rectal palpation of a urinary bladder adhesion and endoscopic visualization of a urinary bladder diverticulum. Surgical excision of the remnant resulted in relief of abnormal micturition, but the filly was euthanatized 9 months after surgery because of a chronic ventral midline incisional infection. Pollakiuria and dysuria associated with urachal abscessation occur most commonly in calves. This report documents the syndrome in a horse.
Denys M, Thomas-Cancian A, Tortereau A, Josson-Schramme A, Buff S.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...
Bernick A, Nieth J, Wehrend A.Urachal patency is an umbilical disease in newborn foals. Etiologically, either the closure of the urachus remains absent after birth (persistent urachus) or the urachus was already closed and reopens at a later time (patent urachus). The most common causes of patent urachus are congenital defects, tearing of the navel above the predilection site, trauma, increased intravesical or abdominal pressure and umbilical infections. Patent urachus occurs more frequently in premature or weak and immunocompromised foals. Colts are more often affected than fillies. Typical clinical signs are apparent imm...
Zakia L, Shaw S, Bonomelli N, O'Sullivan S, Zur Linden A, Dubois M, Baird J, Guest B.A 3-month-old foal with a history of acute hematuria was evaluated. Hydronephrosis and hydroureter were visualized upon renal ultrasonography of the left kidney. Cystoscopy identified a blood clot occluding the left ureter. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a large retroperitoneal abscess at the level of the aortic bifurcation and a left internal iliac aneurysm. Due to the severity of the lesions and the poor prognosis, the filly was euthanized and the clinical findings were confirmed by post-mortem examination. This report emphasizes the value of obtaining a precise diagnosis CT in order to ...
Higuchi T, Nanao Y, Senba H.To report the clinical findings, surgical technique, and outcome after repair of urinary bladder rupture through a urethral incision in postpartum mares. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: Four Thoroughbred broodmares. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for clinical signs, surgical technique, medical therapy, and outcome. The bladder was everted into the vagina through a urethral incision that included a sphincterotomy. The bladder defect was repaired with absorbable suture material in a single-layer, full thickness, simple, continuous pattern. The urethral incision was closed similarl...
van der Kolk JH, Kalsbeek HC, Wensing T, Breukink HJ.The urinary corticoid:creatinine (c:c) ratio was determined in eight horses with hyperadrenocorticism (HAC). The mean (+/- SD) urinary c:c ratio of the eight horses with HAC (29 +/- 14 x 10(-6)) was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than the ratio in seven control horses (11 +/- 4.3 x 10(-6)). The urinary concentration of corticoids in control horses (201 +/- 60.4 nmol litre-1) was significantly (P 0.05) between both groups. As both false negative and false positive cases were found, it is concluded that a measurement of the urinary c:c ratio in the horse should not be used as the sole test...
MacLeay JM, Kohn CW.Quantitative urine cultures were performed on 11 male and 11 female healthy adult horses. Urine was collected by free catch and catheterization using standard methods. Results showed that all samples collected by free catch contained less than 20,000 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL. All samples collected by catheterization contained 500 CFU/mL or less. A significant difference was found between collection methods (P < .005), with catheterization having less contamination. In samples collected by free catch, females had significantly greater contamination than did males (P < .03). Predominant bac...
Kwong EC, Chen FC, Young LM.The urinary excretion of a sustained-release formulation of pentoxifylline was studied in the horse after the oral administration of 4.0 grams of Trental tablets. Urine samples were collected for 24 hours after dosing and analyzed for pentoxifylline and its metabolites using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with an ultraviolet detector. Six metabolites of pentoxifylline were identified in horse urine in addition to less than 0.2% of unchanged drug. Concomitant use of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry allowed for the elucidation of the chemical structures of the metabolites. Me...
Ma W, Klemm WR.Equine urine was analysed by capillary gas chromatography. The volatile profiles from oestrous and dioestrous samples were compared to establish any qualitative or quantitative difference that may have potential value in olfactory communication. Forty-five different volatile compounds were detected. Of these, 17 major compounds were common to all chromatograms. The chemical profile of oestrous urine was distinguished by the presence of a unique peak that was not present in dioestrous samples. Numerous constituents exhibited endocrine dependence: while the concentrations of seix peaks increased...
Sullins KE, McIlwraith CW, Yovich JV, MacHarg MA, Fessler J.Unilateral ureteral ectopia was diagnosed in three-year-old and 10-month-old fillies exhibiting urinary incontinence since birth. In one case reimplantation of the ureter onto the bladder was planned but considered to be impractical intra-operatively. Unilateral nephrectomy was performed successfully in both cases which alleviated the urinary incontinence. Both horses had normal urinary function postoperatively and became healthy, serviceable animals.
Katzman SA, Vaughan B, Nieto JE, Galuppo LD.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...
Traub-Dargatz JL, McKinnon AO.Included in this article are descriptions of adjunctive methods of examination of the urogenital tract, including ultrasonography of the kidneys, urinary bladder, ovaries and uterus; endoscopy of the urethra, urinary bladder, and uterus; contrast radiography of the urinary tract; kidney biopsy; and laparoscopy of the abdomen, emphasizing examination of the mare's reproductive tract.
Fubini SL, Delco M.Urinary surgery in the horse may be challenging. More straightforward procedures, such as urinary bladder or urachal defects, do not usually require specialized equipment or imaging, although laboratory work is helpful. Congenital or acquired conditions of the ureters or kidneys may necessitate advanced diagnostic work-ups including advanced imaging /or and minimally invasive procedures. Some surgery of the lower urinary tract is done in the sedated, standing adult horse. Surgery involving the kidney typically requires general anesthesia. Laparoscopy and associated tools are frequently used. A...
Hawkins JF, Schumacher JS, McClure SR, Light GS.Small intestinal incarceration through the lateral ligament of the urinary bladder was diagnosed in a 14-year-old, 569-kg, castrated Quarter Horse. The incarceration was corrected by ventral midline celiotomy. Approximately 70 cm of the middle portion of the jejunum was resected and end-to-end, single-layer anastomosis was performed. After surgery, the horse developed signs of adynamic ileus and lameness in the right forelimb. The horse developed laminitis in all 4 feet within 24 hours of surgery. The horse was euthanatized because of poor prognosis for survival. At necropsy, a 4.5-cm rent was...
Roussel AJ, Cohen ND, Ruoff WW, Brumbaugh GW, Schmitz DG, Kuesis BS.Saline or glucose solution was infused for approximately 4 hours into six healthy mares in two separate experiments to determine the effect of infusion of crystalloid solutions on fractional excretion (FE) of sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), potassium (K), and phosphorus (P), ratio of urinary creatinine to serum creatinine (UCr/SCr), and ratio of urinary osmolality to serum osmolality (Uosm/Sosm). After intravenous infusion of either saline or glucose solution, FENa, FECl and FEP were significantly increased, whereas UCr/SCr and Uosm/Sosm were significantly decreased. In addition, FEK was significa...
Rumbaugh GE, Carlson GP, Harrold D.Total daily 24-hour urinary output was obtained from 11 healthy horses fed alfalfa hay with free access to salt during periods of high environmental temperatures. Daily urinary volume averaged 15.6 L, with mean specific gravity of 1.028, osmolality of 1,040 mOsm/kg, and urinary flow rate of 1.24 ml/kg/hr. Total 24-hour sample collections of urine were also obtained from horses held without access to feed or water for periods of 24, 48, and 72 hours during high environmental temperatures. Average urine production under these conditions was 6.3 L during the 1st day; 3.2 L, the 2nd day; and 3.0 L...
Goren G, Fritz J, Dillitzer N, Hipp B, Kienzle E.Hay stabilises urine pH in horses. It is unknown whether this is an effect of structure or of chemical composition. In this study, four ponies (230-384 kg body weight [BW]) were fed six different diets with either a structure or a composition similar to hay with and without acidifiers in a cross-over experimental design in amounts to maintain body weight with the following main compounds: Fresh grass (GRASS), alfalfa hay (ALF), grass cobs (COBS), grass silage (SIL), straw (STR) or extruded straw (STRe) for 2 to 10 days. Urine pH was measured in all trials, blood pH, blood base excess and bicar...
Jones ARE, Ragle CA.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...
Grant DC, Westropp JL, Shiraki R, Ruby AL.Laser lithotripsy has been used as an alternative to surgical removal of uroliths. Objective: To describe the procedure and efficacy of laser lithotripsy for removal of lower urinary tract uroliths in horses. Additionally, the ultrastructure and the differences in mineralogy and microstructure from 1 successful and 1 unsuccessful laser lithotripsy case are described. Methods: Six client-owned horses with 7 episodes of naturally occurring urocystoliths, urethroliths, or both. Methods: Retrospective study of all horses treated between 2006 and 2008 by laser lithotripsy. All horses were sedated f...
Lund CM, Ragle CA, Lutter JD.An 11-year-old Arabian gelding was evaluated for hematuria, stranguria, and pollakiuria that had been observed for 1 week. Results: Transrectal palpation revealed a 5-cm firm round mass in the urinary bladder. Cystoscopy and transrectal ultrasonography confirmed the diagnosis of urinary bladder urolithiasis. Results: A multiportal transparalumbar fossa laparoscopic approach was selected for cystotomy and urolith removal. Cystotomy and urolith removal was performed with sedation and local anesthesia with the horse standing. No perioperative complications were observed. Urination returned to nor...
Diaz-Espineira M, Escolar E, Bellanato J, Medina JA.The composition and crystal morphology of 141 equine sabulous deposits were determined by infrared spectroscopy (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The IR analysis revealed that all investigated deposits contained calcium carbonates (calcite, CaCO3, and/or vaterite, CaCO3) as major constituents; 42 samples were composed of calcite and vaterite, 33 of calcite, 18 of calcite/vaterite and calcium oxalate, and 17 of vaterite. The remaining specimens contained calcite/vaterite and other compounds (calcium phosphates, sulphate and/or oxalates and/or s...
Rodger LD, Carlson GP, Moran ME, Yarbrough TB, Pascoe JR, Reynolds JA.A 3-year-old Thoroughbred colt was presented for evaluation of azotemia and anorexia. Physical examination revealed a ureterolith in the left ureter, approximately 10 cm from the bladder, which was thought to obstruct urine flow by approximately 90% when viewed cystoscopically. Ultrasonographic examination of both kidneys revealed indistinct corticomedullary junctions, and the right kidney was more hyperechoic. A percutaneous biopsy of the right kidney revealed chronic interstitial nephritis with marked interstitial medullary fibrosis. Medical therapy consisting of IV fluids, sodium chloride P...
Labadia A, Rivera L, Costa G, Garcia-Sacristan A.alpha and beta-adrenergic receptors in detrusor muscle and bladder base of horses were investigated by in vitro responses of smooth muscle strips to exogenous agonist and antagonist drugs. Noradrenaline, isoprenaline and salbutamol induced relaxation of detrusor muscle strips which was significantly inhibited by propranolol and butoxamine suggesting that the response is mediated by beta-2 adrenergic receptors. In the urinary bladder base noradrenaline, phenylephrine and B-HT 920 induced strong contractile effects. These contractile responses were inhibited by the alpha antagonist phenoxybenzam...
Wood T, Weckman TJ, Henry PA, Chang SL, Blake JW, Tobin T.Our investigation of the urine of grazing horses at the University of Kentucky shows that the mean pH level is about 7.9, and if their diet is supplemented with grain, it is about 7.4. There appears to be no significant effect of time of day or year on urine pH levels in horses. However, horses taken from pasture and supplemented with grain in a stalled environment show a slight decrease in urine pH. Additionally, we investigated the effects of storage on pH levels. Equine urine samples appear to be quite stable with regard to pH for 48h, but then show a marked increase. Urine pH can have a gr...
