Urethroscopy and laser lithotripsy for the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive urolithiasis in goats and pot-bellied pigs

Abstract

Urethral endoscopy is useful for evaluating urethral patency in goats and pot-bellied pigs. Examination of the urethral mucosa following relief of urethral obstructions aids in the assessment of the long-term prognosis for urethral stricture. Urethral endoscopy also expands the therapeutic options for management of urolithiasis by providing a route for conducting laser lithotripsy. Laser lithotripsy proved to be safe and effective for clearing distally located calculi refractory to removal by traditional urethral flushing. Lithotripsy application is restricted to calculi lodged in the urethra.

Effect of a commercial anion dietary supplement on acid-base balance, urine volume, and urinary ion excretion in male goats fed oat or grass hay diets

“…[11][12][13][14] Prolonged obstruction results in clinical disease with stranguria, hematuria, uremia, and eventually death of the animal if surgical treatment, lithotripsy, or dissolution treatment is not administered. 1,11,12,15,16 Goats and sheep that have had obstructive urolithiasis are likely to form additional stones unless dietary management is implemented to decrease the formation of crystals in the urinary tract.…”

Urogenital Surgery in Camelids

“…23,24 The use of lithotripsy is dependent on the presence of a urethra sufficiently large for passage of the laser via an endoscope, and positioning of the uroliths in the distal urethra. Type of urolith may also affect success rates.…”

“…19,20 Laser lithotripsy, although sometimes used in equine urolithiasis , has been described in only a few case reports in ruminants. [21][22][23][24] To date, the most successful surgical method of treating obstructive urolithiasis in ruminants and camelids is surgical tube cystostomy. 13,14,25 In this technique, the patient is anesthetized in dorsal recumbency, and the bladder approached via a paramedian incision.…”

Cystoscopy

“…monkeys, pigs, humans, horses, goats, and steers. 23,24,31,36,[60][61][62] To date the procedure has become widespread in both dogs and cats. 23,24,31 There are also some reports on the use of electrohydraulic lithotripsy in veterinary medicine.…”