[Two congenital anomalies of the urinary tract in warmblood horses: ectopia ureteris and diverticulum vesicae].

This research article reports two cases of congenital malformations of the urinary tract in warmblood horses: a one-year-old mare with an ectopic left ureter, and a six-year-old gelding with a diverticulum at the neck of the urinary bladder. Both cases presented unique issues but only the mare’s condition could be surgically addressed.

Ectopia Ureteris in a One-Year-Old Mare

• The first case involved an one-year-old mare with ectopia ureteris sinistri, a condition where the left ureter, which should carry urine from the kidney to the bladder, has an abnormal position.
• This young mare showed signs of urinary incontinence but there were no obvious impacts on her general health.
• Diagnosis was achieved through rectal, ultrasound, and vaginoscopic examination. A vaginoscopic examination involves inserting a scope into the vagina to visually inspect the internal structures.
• The recommended treatment was a nephrectomy of the left kidney. A nephrectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of a kidney. This was carried out therapeutically, presumably to stop the incontinence caused by the ectopic ureter.

Diverticulum Vesicae in a Six-Year-Old Gelding

• The second case involved a six-year-old gelding that had a congenital diverticulum at the neck of the urinary bladder. A diverticulum is a small bulging pouch that can form anywhere in your digestive tract, including the bladder.
• This horse suffered discomfort (colic) during urination, urine leakage, and blood in its urine (haematuria).
• Diagnosis was achieved through rectal exploration, ultrasound exam, and a diagnostic laparotomy. A laparotomy is a surgical procedure in which a large incision is made through the abdominal wall to gain access into the abdominal cavity.
• The condition was deemed inoperable due to its anatomical location, implying that surgical removal of the diverticulum was not feasible nor safe enough to attempt.