Occurrence and Management of Obstructive Urolithiasis in Ruminants

Abstract

The study was conducted on clinical cases of obstructive urolithiasis in ruminants at SKUAST-Jammu from June, 2014 to May, 2015. A total of 22 cases of surgical affections of urinary tract in ruminants were recorded and 18 cases (81.82%) were in the age group of <6 months. Nineteen cases of obstructive urolithiasis (19/22, 86.36%) were recorded; 10 in buffaloes, fve in goats and four in cattle. All the animals affected with obstructive urolithiasis were males, intact 17 (89.47%) and castrated 2 (11.53%). Prevalence of urolithiasis was highest in winter. Cystorrhexis was observed in 47.37% of all cases; 70% in buffaloes and 50% in cattle, whereas all goats had intact bladder. Ultrasonography served as a useful diagnostic aid in assessing urinary bladder, especially in calves and small ruminants. Tube cystostomy was found to be a simple and useful technique in the management of obstructive urolithiasis in small ruminants and buffalo calves with high success rate. Catheter blockade and catheter dislodgment were common post-operative complications following tube cystostomy.