Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Foal with blood in urine due to kidney abscess
By Johnston, J K et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1987·Department of Clinical Studies, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hematuria caused by abdominal abscessation in a foal.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 4.5-month-old Standard-bred filly was taken to the vet because she had dark-colored urine. At first, her urine improved with antibiotics, but the problem came back when the antibiotics were stopped. Tests showed that her right kidney was swollen and had some unusual cysts, and there was a large blood clot in her bladder. Unfortunately, after a few days of treatment, she became very tired and showed signs of belly pain, and she passed away before she could get help. A post-mortem examination found a large abscess that had damaged her right ureter and aorta, leading to severe blood loss and her death, and surgery would not have been possible due to the extent of the damage.
Abstract
A 4.5-month-old Standard-bred filly was referred for evaluation of pigmenturia. Initially, the pigmenturia had resolved with the administration of antibiotics, only to recur after their withdrawal. A dark red urine sample contained numerous RBC, WBC, and gram-negative rods (Escherichia coli). Ultrasonography revealed the right kidney to be large, with multiple cystic structures and a dilated renal pelvis and calices. Cystoscopy revealed a large blood clot within the bladder and urine coming from the left ureteral opening. Urine was not observed coming from the right ureter. It was suspected that the primary infection within the urinary tract was coming from the right kidney, with secondary ureteral obstruction and cystitis. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole treatment was initiated. However, acute depression and abdominal pain developed several days later, and the foal died before assistance could be provided. Necropsy revealed a large abscess that had eroded into the right ureter and aorta and had ruptured, resulting in acute blood loss and death. The location and extensive nature of the lesion would have precluded surgical intervention.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3679991/