Week 3 - Large Animal Lower Urinary Tract Disease Flashcards
(52 cards)
What is the definition of urinary incontinence?
The involuntary passage of urine
* Primary disorders of lower UT
* Neurologic diseases
How might you investigate urinary incontinence?
- Thorough history
- Neuro exam
- Rectal palpation
- Ultrasonography
- Urethral and bladder endoscopy
- Blood analysis
- Urinanalysis and blood culture
What is the most common type of UTI in horses?
- Primary lower UTI’s are uncommon
- secondary to an underlying pathology or associated urinary stasis
- bladder paralysis, urolithiasis, urethral damage, iatrogenic (bladder catheterisation)
What gram negative bacteria cause Urinary Tract Infections?
- E.Coli
- Klebsiella
*Enterobacteriaceae
What Gram Positive Bacteria cause UTI’s?
Staphylococcus
* Strep faecalis
* Cattle: Corynebacterium
What are the main clinical signs of equine UTI’s?
Can vary and may depend on concurrent / underlying condition
* Dysuria, Stranguria, Pollakiuria, Haematuria
* Dribbling urine
How might you diagnose an equine UTI?
Blood biochemistry and haematology usually unremarkable if lower UTI
* Urine sediment examination
* > 20 micro-organisms and >10 x WBC per high power field
* Culture
* Rectal examination & bladder palpation
* Ultrasound
* Cystoscopy
How might you treat an equine UTI?
Treat the underlying condition…
* Appropriate and targeted use of antimicrobials
* Based on culture and sensitivity where possible
What is the function of Trimethoprim sulphonamides?
= First line choice (broad spectrum, low cost, easy to administer)
for equine UTI
What is the epidemiology of Equiine Urolithiasis?
Geographical predispositions
* Adult horses (mean 10yrs)
* Male horses (75%, mainly geldings)
* No breed disposition.
What is the aetiology of equine urolithiasis?
Invariably calcium based due to high dietary calcium intake and renal
excretion.
* Type 1 Ca2CO3
(spiculated, ovoid, yellow-green usually easily fragmented)
* Type 2 Also Ca2CO3 but contain more phosphate (grey-white smooth, uncommon)
What are nephroliths?
nidus for formation likely to be piece of damaged tissue
What are ureteroliths?
descending nephrolith
What are cystoliths?
nidus often not clear, potentially bacterial involvement?
What are the clinical signs of urolithiasis?
Vary depending on severity and whether unilateral or bilateral
* May be associated with renal failure if hydronephrosis present
* Gross haematuria not common and not often associated with UTI
* Uroperitoneum if rupture of ureter or renal pelvis
How would you diagnose Urolithiasis?
Ultrasonography – transabdominal or transrectal
* Transrectal palpation for some ureteroliths
What are the most common clinical signs of equine urolithiasis?
Most common clinical sign is haematuria after exercise
* Urine dribbling
* Stranguria/Dysuria/pollakiuria
* Signs of concurrent UTI – WBCs & RBCs, bacteria ++
* Stilted HL gait
* Possible low grade colic
How might you diagnose Urolithiasis?
Transrectal palpation (bladder small) and ultrasonography
* Cystoscopy
How might you treat urolithiasis?
Antimicrobial tx for concurrent bacterial infection
Surgical resection where possible;
(Depends on gender, physical condition & size of patient)
What are the three operations for urolithiasis?
- Cystotomy
- Urethrostostomy
- Nephrectomy
What is lithotripsy?
Breaking down solid masses/stones to encourage or facilitate removal using shockwave or laser
What is Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy?
Limited success in large animals due to depth of tissue
What is Trans-Endoscopic Lithotripsy?
Electrohydraulic shockwave
* Laser: Holmium:YAG
How might you prevent Equine Urolithiasis?
Low calcium diet
* Remove rich, legume hay – e.g. alfalfa
Urine acidification <pH6.0 ?
* Ammonium salts in diet (Ammonium sulphate/ammonium chloride)
* Very unpalatable, need to be given 2-3 times daily
* No evidence to support their use
Promote diuresis
* 50g-75g of salt in food daily → polydipsia and therefore polyuria
* Control any UTI if recurrent after urolith removal