Clinical findings and diagnostic procedures in 270 small ruminants with obstructive urolithiasis.
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BORIS DOI
Publisher DOI
PubMed ID
29660779
Description
BACKGROUND
Details of the clinical signs of obstructive urolithiasis in male small ruminants have not been documented in a large population.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical presentation and diagnostic procedures in a large group of small ruminants with urolithiasis.
ANIMALS
Two hundred and seventy small ruminants (158 sheep and 112 goats).
METHODS
Retrospective study of 270 cases identified based on clinical records.
RESULTS
81.2% affected goats were castrated and 91.7% sheep were intact males; 65.5% of the animals had been sick ≤2 days before referral. Common abnormalities included dysuria (93.6%), indigestion (84.4%), reduced general state of health (79.5%), signs of pain (73%), increased heart and respiratory rates (53.6% and 39.1%), and azotemia (89.4%). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine concentrations were strongly correlated (r = 0.81). Hypochloremia (52.2%), hyponatremia (43.3%), hypophosphatemia (52.4%), and abnormal potassium concentrations (26.2% hypokalemia and 24.5% hyperkalemia) were the most common serum electrolyte imbalances. Packed cell volume (PCV), plasma proteins, potassium, BUN, and creatinine concentrations were significantly increased in animals with uroperitoneum. Ultrasonography allowed for confirmation of diagnosis in 83.9% of the cases (135/161 with sufficient available information), uroliths were visible on 34 of 56 plain radiographs.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE
Our study confirmed that clinical and ultrasonographic examinations are sufficient to diagnose urolithiasis. Clinical signs can be divided into an early stage with discrete unspecific clinical signs, a painful stage with frequent straining, expression of pain and moderately reduced general condition, and an advanced stage with a markedly reduced general condition and eventually recumbency.
Details of the clinical signs of obstructive urolithiasis in male small ruminants have not been documented in a large population.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical presentation and diagnostic procedures in a large group of small ruminants with urolithiasis.
ANIMALS
Two hundred and seventy small ruminants (158 sheep and 112 goats).
METHODS
Retrospective study of 270 cases identified based on clinical records.
RESULTS
81.2% affected goats were castrated and 91.7% sheep were intact males; 65.5% of the animals had been sick ≤2 days before referral. Common abnormalities included dysuria (93.6%), indigestion (84.4%), reduced general state of health (79.5%), signs of pain (73%), increased heart and respiratory rates (53.6% and 39.1%), and azotemia (89.4%). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine concentrations were strongly correlated (r = 0.81). Hypochloremia (52.2%), hyponatremia (43.3%), hypophosphatemia (52.4%), and abnormal potassium concentrations (26.2% hypokalemia and 24.5% hyperkalemia) were the most common serum electrolyte imbalances. Packed cell volume (PCV), plasma proteins, potassium, BUN, and creatinine concentrations were significantly increased in animals with uroperitoneum. Ultrasonography allowed for confirmation of diagnosis in 83.9% of the cases (135/161 with sufficient available information), uroliths were visible on 34 of 56 plain radiographs.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE
Our study confirmed that clinical and ultrasonographic examinations are sufficient to diagnose urolithiasis. Clinical signs can be divided into an early stage with discrete unspecific clinical signs, a painful stage with frequent straining, expression of pain and moderately reduced general condition, and an advanced stage with a markedly reduced general condition and eventually recumbency.
Date of Publication
2018-05
Publication Type
Article
Subject(s)
600 - Technology::630 - Agriculture
500 - Science
600 - Technology::610 - Medicine & health
Keyword(s)
clinical signs diagnosis goats sheep urinary calculi
Language(s)
en
Contributor(s)
Additional Credits
Departement für klinische Veterinärmedizin, Kleintierklinik
Departement für klinische Veterinärmedizin, Wiederkäuerklinik
Series
Journal of veterinary internal medicine
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
ISSN
0891-6640
Access(Rights)
open.access