Urinary System e.g. kidney problems, bladder stones
Ultrasound
Our ultrasound machine provides excellent tissue resolution for assessment of horse kidneys. We can also image the bladder via the rectum in horses or transabdominally in foals. Foals may suffer rupture of the bladder associated with birth and also abnormalities of urinary remnants from their time in the uterus. Ultrasound is an excellent tool for evaluating all of these structures in young foals.
Cystoscopy
Cystoscopy is a telescopic inspection of the bladder and the urethra, which is the passageway that takes the urine from the bladder to the outside. Cystoscopy also enables us to view urine emptying from the ureters (carry urine from kidneys to bladder) and assess their function. This procedure involves passing a lubricated endoscope up the urethra to the bladder. It can be performed on a standing horse with the aid of a little sedation and has minimal discomfort for the horse.
X-rays
X-rays can prove invaluable when assessing the urinary tract in young foals. Occasionally foals may have a congenital abnormality associated with the urinary tract “design”. X-rays and a special contrast technique can be used to evaluate the urinary tract and detect such congenital abnormalities.
Biopsy
When kidney function is impaired, it can sometimes to be difficult to know how severely damaged the kidneys are. With ultrasound guidance, a biopsy (small piece of tissue) sample of kidney can be performed to get a good indication of the extent of kidney damage.
