[Rupture of the bladder and of the urachus in foals. A literature review].

The research article focuses on the incidence, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of bladder and urachus ruptures in newborn male foals, stressing the importance of early detection and operative intervention for a favourable prognosis.

Incidence and Symptoms

• The study reveals that the incidence of ruptures in the urinary bladder or urachus is highest in newborn male foals. These ruptures often occur during parturition, which is generally uncomplicated.
• Key clinical symptoms of these conditions include frequent urination but in small quantities, abdominal distention, and visible abdominal undulation. This symptom manifestation aids early detection and intervention.

Biochemical Indicators

• The biochemical markers for bladder or urachus ruptures in foals include hyperkalaemia, hyponatraemia, hypochloraemia, and elevated serum creatinine levels. These biochemical changes in the blood profile provide important hints towards these medical conditions.
• An interesting observation is that the serum blood urea nitrogen concentration could be normal or marginally elevated, meaning a normal urea nitrogen concentration doesn’t rule out the possibility of rupture.
• The researchers highlight that the creatinine concentration in the peritoneal fluid is always higher than that in serum, indicating its significance in the diagnosis.

Diagnosis and Treatment

• The paper introduces a field diagnosis method involving the instillation of a sterile dye solution into the bladder and its subsequent recovery in the peritoneal fluid, which would indicate a bladder rupture.
• Once a diagnosis is made, surgical treatment is recommended as soon as possible. Prior to inducing anaesthesia, fluid losses and electrolyte imbalances should be addressed, and slow decompression of the abdomen performed to prevent cardiac dysrhythmias and hypovolaemic shock.
• The bladder defect is usually mended with two layers of inverting continuous sutures.
• If the diagnosis of bladder rupture is established promptly, the prognosis is typically favourable, further emphasizing the need for early detection and intervention.