Ulceration in the proximal portion of the urethra as a cause of hematuria in horses: four cases (1978-1985).

The research describes the investigation of sudden hematuria (presence of blood in urine) in horses, linking it with mucosal ulceration in the proximal portion of their urethra. It also discusses the diverse treatment strategies applied, and evaluates their effectiveness.

Research Context and Methodology

• The study was initiated upon the unusual occurrence of sudden hematuria in four horses comprising one stallion and three geldings.
• The researchers used endoscopic methods to identify the cause, resulting in the identification of mucosal ulceration located in the proximal part of the urethra at the level of the ischial arch.
• The researchers conducted a biopsy on an ulcerated area in the urethra of one of the geldings, which revealed the presence of transitional cell carcinoma — a type of cancer that occurs in the urinary system.

Treatment Regimens and Impact

• The treatments administered varied among the subjects. They ranged from systemic antimicrobial and/or vasoactive therapy to a temporary solution involving the diversion of urinary flow through a perineal urethrostomy.
• The effectiveness of the treatment was measured based on the resolution of hematuria. On average, hematuria subsided 20 days after initiating the treatment, with a variation between 14 to 24 days.
• One horse died of undetermined causes during the initial examination and was thus exempted from the treatment effect assessment.

Long-term Observation Results

• A following observation of the remaining three horses showed that hematuria had not recurred for up to 9 years after treatment, with an average of 1 year.
• This long-term finding suggests the treatment strategies employed were effective in controlling blood presence in the urine even long after the treatment was administered.

In summary, this study emphasizes the importance of immediate examination and treatment upon the detection of hematuria in horses, to curb the situation escalating to detrimental levels, including cancer as observed in one gelding. The successful treatment cases could provide a benchmark for handling similar cases in the future.