Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cystic calculi in two horses.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1985
- Authors:
- Kaneps, A J et al.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In this study, two horses were diagnosed with bladder stones, also known as cystic calculi. A real-time ultrasound was used to examine their bladders, which helped identify the stones; one horse had a larger stone felt during a rectal exam, while the other had several smaller stones. To remove the stones, a surgical procedure called laparocystidotomy was performed, which allowed the veterinarians to access the bladder effectively. After the stones were removed, tests showed that they were made of pure calcium carbonate, although some initial tests incorrectly suggested they contained other minerals. The treatment was successful in both cases, as the stones were effectively removed.
Abstract
The use of real-time ultrasound for examination of the bladder was a useful diagnostic aid in 2 cases of cystic calculi. The ultrasound procedure revealed that a firm mass palpated per rectum in the bladder of one horse was a calculus. In the other horse, ultrasound revealed additional small uroliths. To remove the uroliths in both horses, laparocystidotomy via a ventral paramedian approach was chosen because it provided the best access to the bladder lumen. The calculi were analyzed by qualitative chemical analysis and quantitative crystallography. Results differed between analysis methods. Crystallography revealed that the mineral composition of both calculi was pure calcium carbonate. Chemical analysis erroneously indicated that the calculi contained phosphate, magnesium, and oxalate.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3902755/