Urinary System Diseases

How many gallons of water should you provide a 1,0000lb horse per day?

10 gallons

How long can a horse live if off feed but still has access to water? What about no water?

1. 20-25 days

2. 3-6 days

True or False: Kidney failure commonly goes unnoticed until the condition is in an advanced or fatal stage.

True

Signs of kidney failure do not appear until about ________% of the kidneys are damaged.

70%

List the clinical signs of kidney failure.

• ADR

• decreased appetite

• weight loss

• decrease performance level

• poor coat condition

• change in urine color

• ± water consumption

• increased urine production

• change in urine smell

• excessive dental tartar or gingivitis

• foul smelling breath

What is the difference between chronic renal failure and acute renal failure?

1. Chronic Renal Failure

   • progressive, gradual destruction of nephrons → unable to regulate fluids & excrete wastes

2. Acute Renal Failure

   • temporary kidney disease

   • suddenly stop excreting waste products → water & electrolyte imbalance

What is the time frame between dehydration leading to kidney damage?

occur within hours of initial stage of dehydration

How can dehydration lead to kidney damage?

lack of sufficient water to drink → low blood pressure → lose driving pressure needed to separate water from the blood solids within the kidney

How can heat stroke lead to kidney damage?

same concept as dehydration

• no sweating + extremely high body temperature = physical exertion

• strenuous exercise → blood flow is detected from kidney to the stressed muscles

How can natural toxins lead to kidney damage?

damage cells of the kidney → cannot distinguish between what to absorb & what to excrete

List some common toxic plants to horses.

• cultivated onions

• bracken fern

• white snakeroot

• withered red maple leaves

How can colic lead to kidney failure?

stresses all the body’s vital organs → blood clots form → clog the kidneys → trap toxins in the body

How can medications lead to kidney failure?

toxic at high doses or if used long term or in face of dehydration

What type of medication is more prone to causing kidney failure?

NSAIDs

How can blood loss lead to kidney failure?

immediate & drastic drop in blood pressure → diverts critical blood flow from the kidneys

How can shock lead to kidney damage?

depresses blood flow to the kidneys → slows the filtration process

How can a bacterial infection lead to kidney damage?

damage to kidney cells → inflammation → plasma water can no longer pass through walls

How can chronic urinary obstruction lead to kidney damage?

kidney stone or tumor can block urination without damaging organs

How is kidney failure diagnosed?

• ultrasound

• CBC

• Urine sample

What are the treatment options for kidney failure?

goal → lighten the kidney load

• fluids & electrolytes

• meds as needed

What is urolithiasis?

the formation of urinary stones called calculi

Where can urolithiasis form?

kidney or urinary bladder

What may occur if a bladder stone plugs the urethra?

prevents urine from passing → eventual rupture of bladder

What are kidney/bladder stones made up of?

calcium carbonate crystals

True or False: Female horses are more prone to urinary stones.

False: MALE horses are more prone to urinary stones.

How does a high diet in grains influence the urinary system?

high phosphorus levels → increased risk of formation of stones rich in phosphate (smooth surface & more dense)

How does a high diet in alfalfa and/or clover influence the urinary system?

larger amount of calcium carbonate crystals in urine → can result in urinary stones (rough surface & yellowish in color)

List the signs of urinary stones.

• posturing to urinate but not urinating

• pace nervously

• refuse feed and water

• difficulty urinating

• blood in urine after exercise

• colic

How are urinary stones diagnosed?

• rectal exam

• ultrasound

What is the treatment for urinary stones?

• surgically remove from bladder

• pulverizing stone w/ laser or endoscope combo

About ______% of horses that have stones removed have additional stones form over the subsequent months to years.

25%

True or False: Bladder infections are more common in geldings than mares.

False: Bladder infections are more common in MARES.

List the possible causes of UTIs.

• external sources

• extension of a problem in surrounding tissues

• bacteria traveling through bloodstream

List the clinical signs of a UTI.

• depressed & dull

• fever

• poor appetite

• pain

• reluctance to move

• travels stiffly awkwardly

• small, frequent urination

Why are there large amounts of mucus in the urine?

acts as lubricant → prevents small calcium carbonate crystals from forming into stones

How much urine does the average adult horse produce?

5-15L (1-4gal/day)

What are the common causes of a swollen sheath?

• smegma build

• excess fat in area

• inactivity