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Home / Equine Research Bank / Can Vet J / Sabulous cystitis in the horse: 13 cases (2013-2020).
The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2021; 62(7); 743-750;

Sabulous cystitis in the horse: 13 cases (2013-2020).

Abstract: The objective of this study was to describe the clinical findings, medical management, and outcomes of horses with sabulous cystitis, and to describe a high flow bladder lavage procedure in horses that are standing or under general anesthesia. The medical records of 13 horses diagnosed with sabulous cystitis via cystoscopy between 2013 and 2020 were reviewed. Geldings (92%) and Warmbloods (46%) were overrepresented. The most common presenting complaint was urinary incontinence (69%). Complete blood cell count, serum biochemistry profile and urine cytology results were non-specific. Six (46%) horses had various degrees of erosion, ulceration, and hemorrhage of the bladder mucosa. All horses were treated with bladder lavage either with standing sedation (n = 12) or general anesthesia (n = 2), as well as antimicrobials (54%), anti-inflammatory drugs (62%), bethanechol (15%), and phenazopyridine (15%). Most horses (85%) were discharged from the hospital, but only a small percentage (23%) was reported as having no urinary abnormalities on follow-up communication. Key clinical message: Copious bladder lavage with a high flow rate system could mitigate the acute clinical signs and improve the quality of life of horses with sabulous cystitis, but the prognosis for return to previous level of athletic performance and long-term survival is guarded. Cystite sableuse chez le cheval: 13 cas (2013–2020). L’objectif de cette étude était de décrire les résultats cliniques, la prise en charge médicale et les résultats des chevaux atteints de cystite sableuse, et de décrire une procédure de lavage de la vessie à haut débit chez les chevaux debout ou sous anesthésie générale. Les dossiers médicaux de 13 chevaux diagnostiqués avec une cystite sableuse par cystoscopie entre 2013 et 2020 ont été revus. Les hongres (92 %) et les Warmbloods (46 %) étaient surreprésentés. La plainte la plus fréquente était l’incontinence urinaire (69 %). Un hémogramme complet, le profil biochimique sérique et les résultats de cytologie urinaire n’étaient pas spécifiques. Six chevaux (46 %) présentaient divers degrés d’érosion, d’ulcération et d’hémorragie de la muqueuse de la vessie. Tous les chevaux ont été traités par lavage de la vessie soit avec sédation debout (n = 12) ou anesthésie générale (n = 2), ainsi que des antimicrobiens (54 %), des anti-inflammatoires (62 %), du béthanéchol (15 %) et de la phénazopyridine (15 %). La plupart des chevaux (85 %) sont sortis de l’hôpital, mais seul un petit pourcentage (23 %) a été signalé comme n’ayant aucune anomalie urinaire lors de la communication de suivi.Message clinique clé:Un lavage vésical abondant avec un système à débit élevé pourrait atténuer les signes cliniques aigus et améliorer la qualité de vie des chevaux atteints de cystite sableuse, mais le pronostic du retour au niveau antérieur de performance athlétique et de survie à long terme est réservé.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).
Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
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Publication Date: 2021-07-06 PubMed ID: 34219784PubMed Central: PMC8218954
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Summary

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This study investigates the symptoms, treatment, and outcomes of 13 horses diagnosed with sabulous cystitis between 2013 and 2020. The research emphasises the effectiveness of high flow bladder lavage procedures in managing clinical signs and improving the horses’ quality of life, although the outlook for full recovery and long-term survival is uncertain.

Context and Objectives

  • This research focuses on a condition known as sabulous cystitis, a urinary disorder in horses. The aim of the study was to describe the clinical results, treatments, and outcomes of horses diagnosed with this condition. Additionally, a procedure called a high flow bladder lavage, performed on standing or anesthetized horses, was also investigated.

Methodology

  • The researchers carried out a retrospective study based on the medical records of 13 horses diagnosed with sabulous cystitis via cystoscopy, conducted between 2013 and 2020. Geldings (92%) and Warmblood breeds (46%) were found to be the most affected.
  • Common symptoms including urinary incontinence were reviewed, and blood cell count, serum biochemistry profile and urine cytology results were also accessed. Findings from these tests were, however, non-specific.

Key Findings

  • Approximately 46% of the horses exhibited varying degrees of bladder mucosa erosion, ulceration, and bleeding.
  • All the horses were treated with a bladder lavage either under standing sedation (12 cases) or general anaesthesia (two cases). The treatment also included antimicrobials, anti-inflammatory drugs, bethanechol, and phenazopyridine.
  • A significant number of horses (85%) were discharged from the hospital. However, only a small percentage (23%) were reported as showing no urinary abnormalities during subsequent follow-up consultations.

Implications of the Study

  • The research highlighted that generous bladder lavage with a high flow rate system could diminish acute clinical symptoms and enhance the quality of life for horses suffering from sabulous cystitis.
  • Despite this, the study emphasises that the prognosis for a complete return to previous levels of athletic performance and long-term survival remains uncertain.

Cite This Article

APA
Zakia LS, Gomez DE, Kenney DG, Arroyo LG. (2021). Sabulous cystitis in the horse: 13 cases (2013-2020). Can Vet J, 62(7), 743-750.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 62
Issue: 7
Pages: 743-750

Researcher Affiliations

Zakia, Luiza S
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph Ontario N1G 2W1.
Gomez, Diego E
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph Ontario N1G 2W1.
Kenney, Daniel G
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph Ontario N1G 2W1.
Arroyo, Luis G
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph Ontario N1G 2W1.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cystitis / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Quality of Life
  • Urinary Incontinence / veterinary

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Hardefeldt L, Thomas K, Page S, Norris J, Browning G, El Hage C, Stewart A, Gilkerson J, Muscatello G, Verwilghen D, van Galen G, Bauquier J, Cuming R, Reynolds B, Whittaker C, Wilkes E, Clulow J, Burden C, Begg L. Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for horses in Australia. Aust Vet J 2025 Dec;103(12):781-889.
    doi: 10.1111/avj.70003pubmed: 40903020google scholar: lookup
  2. Tharwat M, Al-Sobayil F. Equine colic: A comprehensive overview of the sonographic evaluation, diagnostic criteria, and management of different categories. Open Vet J 2025 Mar;15(3):1116-1139.
    doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i3.5pubmed: 40276205google scholar: lookup
  3. de Melo UP, Ferreira C. Urinary incontinence and sabulous cystitis in mares: report of five cases. Braz J Vet Med 2024;46:e005024.
    doi: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm005024pubmed: 39450000google scholar: lookup
  4. Baltrimaite M, Kearney C, O'Brien A, Duggan M, Cuq B. Treatment of a urethral stricture by image-guided placement of a custom-made absorbable stent in a standing, sedated horse. J Vet Intern Med 2024 Sep-Oct;38(5):2795-2800.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.17181pubmed: 39262299google scholar: lookup
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