Equine urinary tract, chronic kidney disease Flashcards
(39 cards)
horse bladder volume
4-5L
Horses produce 10-20 L of urine per day.
horse ureter length
70 cm
stallion/gelding urethra length
75-90 cm
equine left kidney
More caudally than right (can palpate rectally).
More oval, 18x12x5cm
equine right kidney
Below last ribs and first lumbar transverse process.
Embedded into the liver (fossa). CanNOT be palpated.
Horseshoe/heart-shaped, 15 x 15 x 5 cm.
What is tiludronate for horses?
Tiludronate has been used primarily for the treatment of diseases in horses that are associated with inappropriate osteolysis, such as navicular disease and osteoarthritis.
What is sabulous sediment?
Sabulous = sandy or gritty
Sabulous cystitis, is a common condition in middle-aged male horses. Clinical signs include dribbling urine for a prolonged period with contact dermatitis in many cases, but otherwise the horses are in good health and seemingly undisturbed by the incontinence.
Horse urine can naturally be pale yellow to deep tan, turbid and viscous with calcium carbonate crystals.
Where are the glomeruli located and how many per kidney?
renal cortex
10 million per kidney
Cortical and juxtamedullary nephrons.
Where are the renal pyramids located and how many per kidney?
renal medulla
40-60 in 4 parallel rows
What are renal papillas?
structures at the tip of each renal pyramid. Act as large collecting ducts.
Renal pelvis and proximal ureter are lined with
tubular mucous glands and goblet cells which contributes to the viscous consistency of equine urine – looks foamy.
Horse urine can be pale yellow to deep tan, turbid and viscous with calcium carbonate crystals.
3 markers that give you insight about glomerular function:
creatinine
urea
SDMA
Adult horse urine production ml/kg/h.
1-2 ml/kg/h
That makes 500-1000 ml/h.
10-20L/day
Foals on an all milk diet produce 4-8 ml/kg/h.
adult and foal urine pH
Adults alkalotic at pH 7-9
Foals acidic at pH 5-7
renal blood flow % of cardiac output
ca 22% of CO
GFR in horses?
800-1000 ml/min
(1200-1400 l/day)
Which part of the kidneys are extremely sensitive to hypoxia?
the renal medulla
The medulla is extremely metabolically active but receives only about 20% of total renal
blood flow and has a low oxygen tension.
The Kidneys can regulate blood flow locally:
* Renal nerves can locally cause arterioles to vasoconstrict when blood pressure falls.
* If blood flow decreases further, kidneys produce vasodilators: prostaglandins (PGE2 and PGI2) and dopamine.
* Plus Several more mechanisms at play.
Why are NSAIDs bad for the kidneys?
So the kidneys normally produce prostaglandins in response to lower blood flow.
But NSAIDs are PG inhibitors that shut off that protective mechanism.
In case of significant hypovolemia, vasodilation will not occur when on NSAIDs.
Medullary necrosis and tubular damage will follow.
Hypovolemia and NSAIDs don’t go together!
Why is general anesthesia hard on the kidneys?
Inhalation anaesthesia decreases cardiac output and thus blood pressure is decreased.
- Renal perfusion can be decreased to a dangerous level.
General anesthesia for colic surgery can be risky for the kidneys!
Main presenting complaints in horses with renal disease. (5)
Main two are anorexia and colic.
Then come,
poor body condition
horses smells like urine
polyuria & polydipsia
Main urinary tract related presenting complaints in horses with renal disease or urinary issues. (3)
Frequent urination (pollakiuria)
Straining to urinate
Blood seen in urine (rarely)
the 4 stages of of renal disease:
- decreased renal reserve
- chronic renal insufficiency
- chronic renal failure
- end-stage renal disease
Describe decreased renal reserve (1st stage of renal disease).
Crea, urea normal; SDMA may be higher.
Kidneys can’t compensate for hypovolemia or
decreased perfusion – may have episodes of AKD.
Describe chronic renal insufficiency (2nd stage of renal disease).
Mild azotemia, decreased urine concentrating ability, polyuria.
Clinical signs of uremia are not yet present.
