Medical management of urinary calculi in a stallion with breeding dysfunction.

The study investigates a case of breeding dysfunction in a 9-year-old Thoroughbred stallion due to urinary calculi. Remedial action involved regular bladder flushing and use of anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial drugs. Although breeding function improved, presence of urine in the semen semen implied neurologic deficit could have delayed urine movement, thereby contributing to formation of calculi.

Case Presentation and Findings

• The subject of the study was a 9-year-old Thoroughbred stallion suffering from breeding dysfunction and possible urethritis. Although the horse exhibited regular libido levels, proper erection, and normal mounting, it failed to perform thrusting movements and ejaculation. Upon mounting the mare, it would squeal and dismount.
• Endoscopic examination of the horse’s urethra and bladder revealed irregular, spiny yellow crystals, less than a cm in size, and sand-like deposits or sabulous deposits. Numerous calculi, or stones, were found embedded in the bladder’s mucosa.

Intervention and Outcome

• Considering the onset of the breeding season and the owner’s aversion to general anesthesia, a non-surgical approach was adopted. The motive behind avoiding surgery was also to prevent any disruption to the horse’s breeding activities due to postoperative recovery.
• The prescribed treatment involved regular bladder rinsing with a saline solution containing acetic acid every one to three days, in addition to the administration of anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial drugs.
• Post-treatment, the stallion showed improvement and could resume breeding. It exhibited good semen quality and sperm count. However, there was still urine contamination within the ejaculate.

Discussion and Conclusions

• The presence of urine in the horse’s semen suggested a possible primary neurological deficit, that could have been affecting bladder control and function.
• This neurological issue might have been causing a delay in the movement of urine through the urinary tract, culminating in the secondary formation of calculi.