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Congenital urachal and urinary bladder defects leading to uroperitoneum in a neonatal quarter horse colt.

Abstract: A newborn (5 h old) quarter horse colt was presented because of lethargy and severe abdominal distention. Uroperitoneum was suspected during initial workup, based on sonographic imaging and peritoneal fluid analysis. Definitive diagnosis was confirmed during exploratory celiotomy. Surgery revealed a congenitally abnormal allantoic stalk/urachal remnant and a failure of embryological fusion of the dorsal bladder wall. Recovery was successful and the animal is now a healthy, 4-year-old western performance gelding. These specific congenital abnormalities have not been previously documented in the peer-reviewed literature. Key clinical message: Congenital abnormalities of the urachus and the urinary bladder should be suspected in foals with uroperitoneum at birth. Cases involving congenital abnormalities of the urachus and urinary bladder might have favorable prognoses if animals retain adequate function of the urogenital tract and do not have secondary complications before and following surgery. Anomalies congénitales de l’ouraque et de la vessie urinaire conduisant à un uropéritoine chez un poulain quarter horse nouveau-néUn poulain quarter horse nouveau-né (âgé de 5 h) a été présenté en raison d’une léthargie et d’une distension abdominale sévère. Un uropéritoine a été suspecté lors du bilan initial, sur la base d’une imagerie échographique et d’une analyse du liquide péritonéal. Le diagnostic définitif a été confirmé lors d’une cœliotomie exploratoire. La chirurgie a révélé une tige allantoïdienne/restant de l’ouraque congénitalement anormal et un échec de la fusion embryologique de la paroi dorsale de la vessie. La guérison a été réussie et l’animal est maintenant un hongre western performant en bonne santé, âgé de 4 ans. Ces anomalies congénitales spécifiques n’ont pas été documentées auparavant dans la littérature évaluée par des pairs.Message clinique clé :Les anomalies congénitales de l’ouraque et de la vessie urinaire devraient être suspectées chez les poulains présentant un uropéritoine à la naissance. Les cas impliquant des anomalies congénitales de l’ouraque et de la vessie urinaire pourraient avoir un pronostic favorable si les animaux conservent une fonction adéquate du tractus urogénital et ne présentent pas de complications secondaires avant et après la chirurgie.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).
Publication Date: 2024-11-04 PubMed ID: 39494178PubMed Central: PMC11486106
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Summary

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This research paper details the case of a newborn quarter horse colt, diagnosed with rare congenital abnormalities related to its urachus and bladder. Despite these conditions, the colt recovered successfully after surgery and grew into a healthy adult, highlighting the need to consider these anomalies in foals with similar symptoms and their potential favorable prognosis with timely intervention.

Introduction

In this research paper, the authors describe a case involving a newborn quarter horse colt, presenting signs of lethargy and severe abdominal distention. Upon examination, uroperitoneum, a condition where urine fills the peritoneal cavity, was suspected.

Diagnosis

  • A sonographic imaging and peritoneal fluid analysis were conducted as part of the initial workup, leading to a suspicion of uroperitoneum.
  • To achieve a definitive diagnosis, the clinicians performed an exploratory celiotomy, a surgical operation where the abdomen is cut open to inspect the abdominal cavity.
  • During this surgical procedure, key congenital abnormalities were found: an abnormal allantoic stalk or urachal remnant, and a failure of the embryological fusion of the dorsal bladder wall.

Result

  • The findings in the surgery explained the colt’s condition, indicating severe birth defects related to the urachus and bladder.
  • However, the positive factor was the successful recovery of the colt.
  • Post-surgery, the colt, now identified as a 4-year-old western performance gelding, is healthy.

Significance of the Study

  • This unique case of congenital abnormalities of the urachus and urinary bladder has not previously been documented in peer-reviewed scientific literature, thus contributing new knowledge to veterinary medical science.
  • The presented case showed that such abnormalities in foals might result in promising outcomes, given the animals retain proper function of the urogenital tract and don’t experience any secondary complications.
  • From a clinical standpoint, the study proposes that these birth defects should be considered among possibilities when foals demonstrate uroperitoneum at birth.

Cite This Article

APA
Karam B, Arndt S, Magdesian KG, Cullen T, Dechant JE. (2024). Congenital urachal and urinary bladder defects leading to uroperitoneum in a neonatal quarter horse colt. Can Vet J, 65(11), 1119-1123.

Publication

ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 65
Issue: 11
Pages: 1119-1123

Researcher Affiliations

Karam, Bruno
  • Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital, Snohomish, Washington, USA (Karam); Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA (Arndt); Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences (Magdesian) and Department of Medicine and Epidemiology (Dechant), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA; Equine Medical Center of Ocala, Ocala, Florida, USA (Cullen).
Arndt, Stefanie
  • Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital, Snohomish, Washington, USA (Karam); Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA (Arndt); Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences (Magdesian) and Department of Medicine and Epidemiology (Dechant), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA; Equine Medical Center of Ocala, Ocala, Florida, USA (Cullen).
Magdesian, K Gary
  • Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital, Snohomish, Washington, USA (Karam); Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA (Arndt); Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences (Magdesian) and Department of Medicine and Epidemiology (Dechant), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA; Equine Medical Center of Ocala, Ocala, Florida, USA (Cullen).
Cullen, Tom
  • Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital, Snohomish, Washington, USA (Karam); Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA (Arndt); Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences (Magdesian) and Department of Medicine and Epidemiology (Dechant), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA; Equine Medical Center of Ocala, Ocala, Florida, USA (Cullen).
Dechant, Julie E
  • Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital, Snohomish, Washington, USA (Karam); Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA (Arndt); Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences (Magdesian) and Department of Medicine and Epidemiology (Dechant), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA; Equine Medical Center of Ocala, Ocala, Florida, USA (Cullen).

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Urachus / abnormalities
  • Urachus / surgery
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Horse Diseases / congenital
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Urinary Bladder / abnormalities
  • Urinary Bladder / surgery
  • Male
  • Peritoneal Diseases / veterinary
  • Peritoneal Diseases / congenital
  • Peritoneal Diseases / surgery
  • Peritoneal Diseases / diagnosis

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