Abstract
This report describes five cases of urinary incontinence in Quarter Horse mares associated with the development of sabulous cystitis. The animals in this study had a history of persistent urinary incontinence for eight months, with clinical signs of continuous dribbling urine during rest and movement. The initial treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs was ineffective. Clinical examination revealed severe scalding in the perineal region and on the medial aspect of the hind limbs, along with neurological signs such as ataxia, hind limb paresis, and diminished perineal reflexes. Transrectal ultrasonography confirmed bladder distension and the presence of hyperechoic particles in the urine. Urinalysis revealed typical features of sabulous cystitis, including abundant calcium carbonate crystals. Despite treatment with corticosteroids, antibiotics, and daily bladder lavage with physiological saline, no substantial clinical improvement was observed. The limited therapeutic response and guarded prognosis were discussed with the owner, who opted to monitor the mares without altering their clinical condition for two years. This report highlights the complexity of managing urinary incontinence associated with sabulous cystitis in horses and emphasizes the importance of accurate diagnosis and early recognition of clinical signs for effective treatment.
References
Bayly, W. M. (2004). Urinary incontinence and bladder dysfunction. In S. M. Reed, W. M. Bayly & D. C. Sellon (Eds.), Equine Internal Medicine (2nd ed., pp. 1290-1294). Missouri: W. B. Saunders.
Ferreira, C., Palhares, M. S., Melo, U. P., Silva, L. T., Leme, F. O. P., & Silva Filho, J. M. (2021). Hematúria macroscópica em equinos associada à infecção por Leptospira interrogans sorovar canicola. Revista Brasileira de Ciência Veterinária, 28(3), 132-137. http://doi.org/10.4322/rbcv.2021.024.
Ferreira, H. I. P., Calabuig, C., Borges, P. A., Oliveira, I. V. P. M., Freire, D. A. C., Villalobos, E. M., Lara, M. C. C. S. H., Pituco, E. M., Romaldini, A. H. C. N., Cunha, E. M., Stefano, E., & Antunes, J. M. A. P. (2018). Seroprevalence of viral agents in vaquejada horses. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, 40(1), e054218. http://doi.org/10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm057218.
Fonteque, J. H., Souza, A. F., Granella, M. C. S., Mozzaquatro, F. D., Saito, M. E., Weinert, N. C., & Volpato, J. (2024). Sabulous cystitis due to idiopathic bladder paralysis syndrome in a gelding. Brazilian Journal of Animal, Health and Environment, 1, 1-8.
Furr, M. (2015). Differential diagnosis of equine spinal ataxia: Differential diagnosis of urinary incontinence and cauda equina syndrome. In M. Furr & S. Stephen Reed (Eds.), Equine Neurology (2nd ed., pp. 93-98). Philadelphia: John Wiley & Sons. http://doi.org/10.1002/9781118993712.ch8.
Hines, M. (2015). Differential diagnosis of urinary incontinence and cauda equina syndrome. In M. Furr & S. Stephen Reed (Eds.), Equine Neurology (2nd ed., pp. 139-148). Philadelphia: John Wiley & Sons. http://doi.org/10.1002/9781118993712.ch12.
Holt, P. E., & Mair, T. S. (1990). Ten cases of bladder paralysis associated with sabulous urolithiasis in horses. The Veterinary Record, 127(5), 108-110. PMid:2219631.
Keen, J. A., & Pirie, R. S. (2006). Urinary incontinence associated with sabulous urolithiasis: A series of 4 cases. Equine Veterinary Education, 18(1), 11-19. http://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3292.2006.tb00405.x.
Mair, T. (2022). Urinary incontinence and urinary tract infections. The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Equine Practice, 38(1), 73-94. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2021.11.006. PMid:35282960.
Melo, U. P., & Ferreira, C. (2021). Multimodal therapy for treatment of equine back pain: A report of 15 cases. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, 43, e003321. http://doi.org/10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm003321. PMid:35749060.
Moraes, I. D. T., Carvalho, S. A., Queiroz, P. J. B., Silva, L. A. F., & Rabelo, R. E. (2022). Laparocistotomia para correção de urolitíase vesical em equino: Relato de cirurgia a campo. Ciência Animal, 32(3), 191-199.
Rendle, D. I., Durham, A. E., Hughes, K. J., Lloyd, D., & Summerhays, G. E. (2008). Long-term management of sabulous cystitis in five horses. The Veterinary Record, 162(24), 783-787. http://doi.org/10.1136/vr.162.24.783. PMid:18552329.
Schott, H. C. (2006). Urinary incontinence and sabulous urolithiasis: Chicken or egg? Equine Veterinary Education, 18(1), 17-19. http://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3292.2006.tb00406.x.
Schott, H. C., Carr, E. A., & Patterson, J. S. (2004). Urinary incontinence in 37 horses. In Proceedings 50th Annual Convention American Association Equine Practitioners (pp. 345-347), Denver, Colorado. Lexington: American Association of Equine Practitioners.
Zakia, L. S., Gomez, D. E., Kenney, D. G., & Arroyo, L. G. (2021). Sabulous cystitis in the horse: 13 cases (2013-2020). The Canadian Veterinary Journal, 62(7), 743-750. PMid:34219784.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2024 Ubiratan Pereira de Melo, Cintia Ferreira