Synonyms

No known synonym

Name of the disease in English

Ureter (or renal pelvis) or urethra obstruction in males

The disease in brief

Urolithiasis causes little trouble in the bladder in general especially for females, while it can lead to obstruction of the ureter or urethra, especially in males. It is favored by the following factors: Lack of water or supply of highly mineralized water, high phosphorus level in a diet rich in cereals, presence of oxalates, pastures rich in silica. The nature of the crystals must be specified to adjust the prevention; they can be :

Magnesium or ammonium phosphates called struvite on feedlot cattle.

On pasture, calcium, magnesium or ammonium carbonates

-Rare oxalates, silicates on silica-rich pastures

Castration increases the risk of urethral obstruction by reducing the diameters. Urolithiasis will promote the appearance of urinary tract infection.

Clinic & diagnosis

A male who grinds his teeth or manifests colic and who pushes to urinate in vain (or almost), is suspected of urinary obstruction; the same is true if he is no longer seen urinating.

A male with ventral abdominal edema around the sheath extending to the bursae, or a swollen area around the sheath including its perineal course (or inguinal area) or a swollen area extending symmetrically around the sheath and lower abdominal area, sometimes with fistula may be affected by urethral obstruction. These edemas are signs of a possible urethral rupture. The same applies if crystals are observed on the bristles at the exit of the sheath.

The right and left flanks are swollen below (pear-shaped abdomen), with a fluid consistency if the belly is shaken also raises suspicion of urethral obstruction with rupture of the bladder.

Typical sign of the disease

No description

Pictures

See below

Diagnostic formulas

No description

Differential diagnosis

-Pyelonephritis UR13
-Acute cystitis UR11

-Original ascites to be specified PG30.3

- Abscess of reticular origin N5

- Pulmonary heart-heart failure N14

Confirm a suspicion?

Collect urine under sterile conditions and perform a histological examination to show the presence of red blood cells, leukocytes, epithelial cells or crystals; a bacterial count can guide the prognosis. In the case of urolithiasis, determining the nature of the crystals according to their shape can help target prevention. Urolithiasis and urinary infection can also coexist.

Prognosis and treatment

In case of urolithiasis in feeder cattle, slaughter may be the economical solution. The treatment is surgical by choosing the most suitable technique:

Urethrotomy Surgical procedure consisting of incising a ureter (conduit leading urine from the kidney to the bladder) obstructed by a stone 

-I'ureterostomy is a surgical procedure whose purpose is to bring the ureters to the outside

Antibiotic treatment will be

Prevention

–Bring enough water, easy access to the drinking trough and demineralized water for the cattle

-Avoid in fattening the excessive contributions of phosphorus; aim for a Ca/P ratio of 1.2/1.

-Play with the salt content of the ration or add ammonium chloride (45g/day/beef)

References

Veterinary Medicine-Pocket companion -9th Edition BLOOD DC-page 186