Obstructive urolithiasis in buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis): Serum changes of Vitamins A and D and efficacy of surgical management using tube cystostomy

Abstract

Background and Aim: Obstructive urolithiasis is one of the major health problems in livestock animals, mainly in young calves. The present study was designed first to investigate the changes in the serum levels of Vitamins A and D in buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis) with obstructive urolithiasis and second to investigate the efficacy of tube cystostomy technique in management of such condition. Materials and Methods: One hundred and forty-nine buffalo calves of variable ages ranged from 3 to 7 months with a history of retained urine were examined clinically and ultrasonographically. Then, they were subjected to surgical treatment using the tube cystostomy technique. The serum levels of Vitamins A and D were investigated in retained urine calves in addition to 10 clinically healthy calves of the same age used as a control group. Results: Based on clinical and ultrasonographic findings, the calves were diagnosed as obstructive urolithiasis with intact bladder (n=64 calves) or with bladder rupture (n=85 calves) with the peak incidence in winter months. Tube cystostomy was an efficient and quick surgical technique for the management of such condition and 95.3% of calves returned their normal urination within 7–14 days after surgery. Significant hypovitaminoses A and D were found between retained urine calves and control ones (p= 0.01 and 0.002, respectively). Conclusion: Hypovitaminoses A and D suggested predisposing obstructive urolithiasis in buffalo calves, but further clinical studies are recommended for more confirmation. Surgical treatment using tube cystostomy technique is recommended for the management of obstructive urolithiasis in buffalo calves.

Clinicopathological Studies on Urine Retention in Barki Rams

“…Additionally, these biomarkers demonstrated potential for predicting mortality after the urethral process resection, particularly IL-1α, TNF-α, Fb, and ferritin. These findings align with previous studies that recommended pro-inflammatory cytokines, APPs, and oxidative stress markers as reliable diagnostic and prognostic tools for urine retention in various species, including sheep (Suen et al, 2010;El-Deeb and Elmoslemany, 2016;Boonla, 2018;Maciel et al, 2017;Abdallah et al, 2021;Thongboonkerd et al, 2021;Saenz-Medina et al, 2022). However, this study differed in terms of marker prioritization due to variations in species, disease stage, and methodology employed.…”

“…The imbalance between free radicals production (MDA, NO) and antioxidant capacity (TAC, CAT, GR, GPx) here, induces oxidative stress which potentially damages biomolecules leading to cell injury and death. Oxidative stress has a great involvement in tissue destruction and different diseases pathogenesis including urolithiasis (Boonla, 2018, Abdallah et al, 2021, Saenz-Medina et al, 2022.…”