Urology-Dr. French Flashcards
(48 cards)
What species are rads performed on when performing diagnostics for food animal urology?
Small/young ruminants
Which kidney can you palpate rectally and where is each kidney located in terms of vertebrae?
Palpate L kidney rectally (found on R side)
L kidney in 3rd-5th lumbar vertebra, mobile
R kidney in 12th thoracic-3rd lumbar vertebra, not mobile, cannot palpate rectally
Which kidney is more cranially located?
Right kidney
What is the physical appearance of a bovine kidney?
Lobulated
Smooth in sheep, goats and pig
If there is obstruction of the ureters, what will you rectally palpate?
Pulsation of the urethra
What are the four main compenents evaluated on a FA UA?
SG, pH, protein, ketones
What parameter do we monitor to evaluate renal function?
Crea in FA
BUN is recycled through the rumen which may prolong the time it takes to increase
What is a common cause of obstruction in small ruminant practice?
Obstructive urolithiasis commonly due to crystals
Common in early castrated small ruminants due to the smaller urethra size
What are struvite crystals in the urine usually caused by?
High concentrate diets (very common in backyard breeders)
Diets high in Ca, Mg and/or P
Vitamin A deficiency
If Ca carbonate/Ca oxalate crystals are seen what could it be caused by and what should you focus on for tx?
Caused by legumes/oxalates (apples, sweet potatoes, dock, pigweed)
Focus on pasture management with increased H20 for these crystals
What pH do calculi most commonly form in?
Alkaline urine
Where are the most common obstruction sites?
Urethral process
Distal sigmoid flexure
What are three syndromes that can be seen from obstructive urolithiasis?
- urethral obstruction (partial/complete)
- urethral rupture
- bladder rupture
What can prolonged partial obstruction cause in the urethra?
Urethral strictures
What are clinical findings in a patient with obstructive urolithiasis?
Stranguria (can look like constipation), kicking at abdomen (painful), tail switching, blood/crystals in preputial hairs, tachypnea, tachycardia
What are two sequelae to untreated urethral obstruction?
Ruptured urethra with accumulation of SQ urine ventrally
Ruptured bladder with development of uroperitoneum
If you suspect a ruptured urethra, what will you notice?
Ventral/preputial edema, signs of uremia, sloughing of SQ tissues, preputial adhesions
If you suspect a ruptured bladder what will you notice?
Pain may subside, gradual abdominal distention, depression, large amounts of abdominal fluids (clear fluids on tap)
What is the first thing we want to do in terms of treatment for an obstructive urolithiasis case?
Phenothiazine tranquilizers- we want the patient to relax!
What other treatments would you consider/administer for an obstructive urolithiasis patient?
IV fluids (NaCl), slow drainage of abdomen, anti-inflammatory drugs (ESSENTIAL)
What is a surgical management option for a small ruminant with an obstructive urolithiasis?
Amputation of urethral process
What is a problem with using urethral catheterization w/ retrograde flushing?
The urethra may be friable at obstruction site
Why is it difficult to catheterize the bladder in ruminants?
Suburethral diverticulum
What type of lavage solution will you use when using a urethral catheter for retrograde flushing?
Walpol’s solution (glacial acetic acid)
We are trying to make the environment as acidic as we can to try and break apart the crystals
