FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Open veterinary journal2023; 13(11); 1471-1477; doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i11.11

Management of uroperitoneum through combination of conservative and surgical treatments in two colts.

Abstract: Ruptures of the urinary bladder and urachus are the most frequent cause of uroperitoneum in foals. Surgical correction is often the first treatment choice, however, nonsurgical methods, such as urine removal via urinary catheters and abdominal drains, have been successfully performed in foals. Unassigned: Two foals were referred to the Equine Perinatology Unit for suspicion of uroperitoneum. The diagnosis was confirmed by hematobiochemical and ultrasound examinations, thus cystorrhaphy and cystoplasty were attempted. Surgeons found a lesion in the dorsocranial margin of the bladder (Case 1) and a tear in the pelvic urethra (Case 2); in the first case, the defect was routinely repaired, while the last lesion was impossible to repair due to its localization. A urinary catheter was left in place in both cases. Uroperitoneum recurred 72 hours after the surgery in both foals: a second surgical correction was not recommended due to the localization of the tears and conservative treatment, with the placement of a 32F chest tube in the most ventral part of the abdomen, was preferred. Abdominal drains were removed 5-7 days after surgery, while urinary catheters were left in place for up to 7-8 days. Colts' conditions improved during hospitalizations. Two months after bladder surgery, Case 1 was euthanized due to multiple adhesions between the small intestine and the abdominal wall. Case 2 was still alive one year postoperatively. Unassigned: Although it cannot be considered the first choice for the treatment of uroperitoneum in the foal, nonsurgical treatment was successful in both cases in the short-term follow-up. However, the prognosis should be cautious due to the risk of long-term complications. Conservative management may be used to manage bladder/urethral tears that cannot be solved by surgery.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2023-11-30 PubMed ID: 38107226PubMed Central: PMC10725285DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i11.11Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Case Reports

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research focused on the management of uroperitoneum in foals using a combination of surgical and non-surgical treatments, mostly emphasizing the role of conservative treatments when surgical options are not viable. It involved two case studies where nonsurgical treatment was applied successfully in the short term, but long-term complications were noted.

Summary of Study

Two colts suspected of having uroperitoneum were referred to the Equine Perinatology Unit. Diagnoses were confirmed through hematobiochemical and ultrasound examinations, which led to the decision to attempt surgical remedies including cystorrhaphy and cystoplasty. In both cases, reoccurrence of uroperitoneum was observed 72 hours post-surgery. Given the location of the tears, a second surgery was not recommended and conservative treatment was pursued.

  • In Case 1, the location of the lesion was the dorsocranial margin of the bladder. Routine repair methods were applied to the defect. Despite initial successful surgical repair, uroperitoneum recurred and non-surgical treatment was applied. Unfortunately, the colt was euthanized two months postoperatively due to complications involving multiple adhesions between the small intestine and the abdominal wall.
  • In Case 2, the tear was located at the pelvic urethra. This tear was impossible to correct surgically due to its location and hence, non-surgical treatment was employed from the onset. The colt was reported to be alive one year postoperatively.

Non-Surgical Treatment

Non-surgical treatment involved the insertion of a urinary catheter and abdominal drain in both colts. The abdominal drain was removed 5-7 days post-surgery, whereas the urinary catheters were maintained in place for 7-8 days. This helped manage the uroperitoneum by removing the accumulated urine.

Conclusion

While the first attempt was often surgical correction, these case studies showed the importance of having alternative treatment strategies in situations where surgery is not feasible due to the location of tears. Consequently, conservative management may be employed to manage such situations. However, despite nonsurgical treatment showing success in managing uroperitoneum in the short term, the researchers concluded with caution due to the potential for long-term complications. In these specific case studies, complications such as adhesions between the small intestine and the abdominal wall were observed. It is, therefore, crucial to consider these risks while opting for non-surgical management.

Cite This Article

APA
(2023). Management of uroperitoneum through combination of conservative and surgical treatments in two colts. Open Vet J, 13(11), 1471-1477. https://doi.org/10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i11.11

Publication

Open veterinary journal
ISSN: 2218-6050
NlmUniqueID: 101653182
Country: Libya
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 11
Pages: 1471-1477

Researcher Affiliations

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Peritoneal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Peritoneal Diseases / etiology
  • Peritoneal Diseases / surgery
  • Peritoneal Diseases / veterinary
  • Urinary Bladder / surgery
  • Prognosis
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / surgery

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

References

This article includes 37 references
  1. Adams R, Koterba AM, Cudd TC, Baker WA. Exploratory celiotomy for suspected urinary tract disruption in neonatal foals: a review of 18 cases.. Equine Vet J 1988;20(1):13–17.
    pubmed: 3366099
  2. Axton JE, Russell CM, Wilkins PA. Neonatology.. In: Southwood LL, Wilkins PA, editors. In Equine emergency and critical care medicine. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2015. pp. 511–554.
  3. Bernick A, Nieth J, Wehrend A. Uroperitoneum in neonatal foals-a review of the literature.. Tierarztl Prax Ausg G Grosstiere/Nutztiere 2021;49(1):41–50.
    pubmed: 33588479
  4. Bouré LP, Kerr CL, Pearce SG, Runciman RJ, Lansdowne JL, Caswell JL. Comparison of two laparoscopic suture patterns for repair of experimentally ruptured urinary bladders in normal neonatal calves.. Vet Surg 2005;34(1):47–54.
    pubmed: 15720596
  5. Bryant JE, Gaughan EJ. Abdominal surgery in neonatal foals.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2005;21(2):511–535.
    pubmed: 16051060
  6. Butter A. Medical and surgical management of uroperitoneum in a foal.. Can Vet J 2008;49(4):401–403.
    pmc: PMC2275347pubmed: 18481552
  7. Castagnetti C, Pirrone J, Mariella J, Mari G. Venous blood lactate evaluation in equine neonatal intensive care.. Theriogenology 2010;73(3):343–357.
    pubmed: 19962183
  8. DeNotta SL. Urinary tract disorders of foals.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2022;38(1):47–56.
    pubmed: 35282963
  9. Duffy DJ, Kindra CG, Moore GE. Comparison of initial leak pressures after single- and double-layer cystotomy closure with barbed and nonbarbed monofilament suture material in an ex vivo ovine model.. Vet Surg 2019;48(3):424–430.
    pubmed: 30635932
  10. Dunkel B, Palmer JE, Olson K, Boston RC, Wilkins PA. Uroperitoneum in 32 foals: influence of intravenous fluid therapy, infection, and sepsis.. J Vet Intern Med 2005;19(6):889–893.
    pubmed: 16355686
  11. Ford MG, Nelson BB, Ford TS, Souza C, Easley JT, Hackett ES. Complications and comorbidities in foals undergoing surgical repair for uroperitoneum.. J Equine Vet Sci 2022;110:103852.
    pubmed: 34958882
  12. Franco RM, Ousey JC, Cash RSG, Rossdale PD, Silver M. Study of arterial blood pressure in newborn foals using an electronic sphygmomanometer.. Equine Vet J 1986;18(6):475–478.
    pubmed: 3803362
  13. Fubini SL, Delco M. Surgery of the equine urinary tract.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2022;38(1):141–153.
    pubmed: 35282962
  14. Genetzky RM, Hagemoser WA. Physical and clinical pathological findings associated with experimentally induced rupture of the equine urinary bladder.. Can Vet J 1985;26(12):391.
    pmc: PMC1680118pubmed: 17422601
  15. Gosling L, Anderson J, Rendle D. Conservative management of iatrogenic bladder rupture and uroperitoneum in a gelding with urolithiasis.. Equine Vet Educ 2021;33(3):e53–e57.
  16. Hackett RP. Rupture of the urinary bladder in neonatal foals.. Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet 1984;6(8):S488.
  17. Hardy J. Uroabdomen in foals.. Equine Vet Educ 1998;10:21–25.
  18. Hendrickson DA, Lee M. Repair of the ruptured equine bladder.. In: Ragle CA, editor. In Advances in equine laparoscopy. Ames, IA: MI: John Wiley and Sons, Inc; 2012. pp. 221–228.
  19. Higuchi T, Nanao Y, Senba H. Repair of urinary bladder rupture through a urethrotomy and urethral sphincterotomy in four postpartum mares.. Vet Surg 2002;31(4):344–348.
    pubmed: 12094348
  20. Hyman SS. Uroperitoneum in the equine neonate.. In: Wilkins PA, editor. In Recent advances in equine neonatal care. Ithaca, NY: International Veterinary Information Service; 2001.
  21. Jenei TM. Bladder rupture in the mature horse: diagnostic techniques.. Equine Vet Educ 2012;24:517–519.
  22. Kablack KA, Embertson RM, Bernard WV, Bramlage LR, Hance S, Reimer JM, Barton MH. Uroperitoneum in the hospitalised equine neonate: retrospective study of 31 cases, 1988–1997.. Equine Vet J 2000;32(6):505–508.
    pubmed: 11093624
  23. Kritchevsky JE, Stevens DL, Christopher J, Cook WO. Peritoneal dialysis for presurgical management of ruptured bladder in a foal.. JAVMA 1984;185(1):81–82.
    pubmed: 6746379
  24. Lavoie JP, Harnagel SH. Nonsurgical management of ruptured urinary bladder in critically ill foal.. JAVMA 1988;192(22):1577–1580.
    pubmed: 3410776
  25. Liepman RS, Dembek KA, Slovis NM, Reed SM, Toribio RE. Validation of IgG cut-off values and their association with survival in neonatal foals.. Equine Vet J 2015;47(5):526–530.
    pubmed: 25683641
  26. Lumsden JH, Rowe R, Mullen K. Hematology and biochemistry reference values for the light horse.. Can J Comp Med 1980;44(1):32–42.
    pmc: PMC1320032pubmed: 7397597
  27. Mendoza FJ, Lopez M, Diez E, Perez-Ecija A, Estepa JC. Uroperitoneum secondary to rupture of the urachus associated with Clostridium spp. Infection in a foal: a case report.. Vet Med 2010;55(8):399–404.
  28. Osborne CA, Sanderson SL, Lulich JP, Johnston GR, Polzin DJ. Medical management of iatrogenic rents in the wall of the feline urinary bladder.. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 1996;26(3):551–562.
    pubmed: 9157653
  29. Peitzmeier MD, Mc Nally TP, Slone DE, Lynch TM. Conservative management of cystorrhexis in four adult horses.. Equine Vet Educ 2016;28(11):631–635.
  30. Reuss SM, Franklin RP, Peloso JG, Gallatin LL. How to perform continuous dialysis in an adult horse.. In AAEP Annual Convention, American Association of Equine Practitioners. San Antonio, TX: 2006.
  31. Richardson DW, Kohn CW. Uroperitoneum in the foal.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1983;182(3):267–271.
    pubmed: 6681809
  32. Rodgerson DH, Spirito MA, Thorpe PE, Hanson RR. Standing surgical repair of cystorrhexis in two mares.. Vet Surg 1999;28(2):113–116.
    pubmed: 10100765
  33. Schott HC, Woodie JB. Bladder.. In: Auer JA, Stick JA, editors. In Equine surgery. St. Louis, MO: MI: W.B. Saunders; 2019a. pp. 1129–1145.
  34. Schott HC, Woodie JB. Urethra.. In: Auer JA, Stick JA, editors. In Equine surgery. St. Louis, MO: MI: W.B. Saunders; 2019b. pp. 1145–1155.
  35. Steward SKT, Rubio-Martinez LM. Complications of urinary surgery.. In: Rubio-Martinez LM, Hendrickson DA, editors. In Complications in equine surgery. Hoboken, NY: Wiley & sons, Inc; 2021. pp. 571–582.
  36. Thieman-Mankin KM, Ellison GW, Jeyapaul CJ, Glotfelty-Ortiz CS. Comparison of short-term complication rates between dogs and cats undergoing appositional single-layer or inverting double-layer cystotomy closure: 144 cases (1993–2010). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2012;240(1):65–68.
    pubmed: 22171757
  37. Walesby HA, Ragle CA, Booth LC. Laparoscopic repair of ruptured urinary bladder in a stallion.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2002;221(12):1737–1741.
    pubmed: 12494972

Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Saitua A, Sanchez de Medina A, Bulnes F, Buzon A, Miraz R, Argüelles D, Diez de Castro E. Urogenital surgery in foals. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1520491.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1520491pubmed: 40586037google scholar: lookup
  2. Buzon-Cuevas A, Duaso J, Sanchez de Medina A, Sierra JM, Perez-Ecija A, Mendoza FJ. Description of a Modified Two-Step Omphalectomy Technique Using the LigaSure(™) Device to Remove the Whole Extrahepatic Umbilical Vein: A Case Series Study in Equine and Donkey Foals. Animals (Basel) 2025 Mar 28;15(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15070981pubmed: 40218374google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,727 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.