Urinary retention in a pony gelding associated with a fibroepithelial polyp in the bladder.

The research discusses a case of a pony gelding with urinary retention, identified to be due to a fibroepithelial polyp in the bladder. The polyp also led to the pony presenting symptoms of abdominal pain.

Clinical History

• The 11-year-old pony gelding was initially seen because of mild abdominal pain that was initially responsive to treatment.
• Six days later, the pain recurred along with some abdominal distention. The pony also exerted frequent but unsuccessful attempts to pass urine. However, dribbling of urine was observed during defecation.
• Upon rectal examination, a notably distended bladder was found. Catheterization was performed, which produced a large amount of turbid orange urine with streaks of fresh blood.
• After catheterization, the size of the bladder was found to have reduced significantly, however, there was notable thickening on the left lateral wall of the bladder.
• Despite the reduction in size after the catheterization the bladder quickly refilled, but the pony still could not urinate naturally. Of note is that palpation of the base of the bladder induced resentment in the pony.

Clinical Pathology

• Blood work revealed neutrophilia and monocytosis. The mean cell volume was high, but no evidence of anemia was found. All other parameters tested within normal ranges.
• The horse’s urine had a slightly low specific gravity and tested notably positive for the presence of blood and protein. Erythrocytes, various types of leucocytes, a variety of crystals, and bacteria were present on a microscopic level. Yet, no bacterial growth was noted in the bacterial culture.
• The peritoneal fluid was tested, and was found to be turbid and amber. It contained a high nucleated cell count predominantly of polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Necropsy Findings

• Upon examination of the carcass, it was found to be of regular color and adequately hydrated.
• A localised peritonitis was observed, involving omentum, distal ileum, proximal caccum, small colon, rectum, and left side of the bladder.
• The bladder wall was notably thickened and a generalized hemorrhagic cystitis was present.
• A pedunculated mass was found in the neck of the bladder, originating in the left wall. The mass was an hemorrhagic, necrotic lesion.
• The stalk attached to the main lesion was cystic with firm, sharply defined buff-colored regions and a slightly nodular surface.