Ultrasound findings in 34 newborn foals with uroperitoneum.

BACKGROUND: Uroperitoneum is a typical disease of the newborn foal, which occurs rarely but regularly. Ultrasonography is considered the most important imaging method for diagnosing this disease. Thus far, only one older case series comprising 31 foals suffering from uroperitoneum has systematically listed results of ultrasound examinations. OBJECTIVE: This paper presents the findings of an ultrasonographic examination of 34 foals with uroperitoneum in order to inform future interpretation of ultrasonographic data in suspected uroperitoneum cases. METHOD: Ultrasonographic data of 34 neonatal foals up to the age of 14 days diagnosed with uroperitoneum between 2006 and 2022 were analysed. RESULTS: Most foals demonstrated highly increased levels of free (97%), anechogenic (91%) fluid in the abdomen. Although the urinary bladder was frequently visible (50%), bladder wall discontinuity was only occasionally detectable (18%). CONCLUSION: Transabdominal ultrasonography has proved to be a very reliable imaging method for diagnosing suspected uroperitoneum. It is recommended that it be used in every case of suspected uroperitoneum in order to exclude differential diagnoses.

[Urachal patency in neonatal foals - a review of the literature]. / Urachusfistel beim neugeborenen Fohlen ­ eine Literaturübersicht.

Urachal patency is an umbilical disease in newborn foals. Etiologically, either the closure of the urachus remains absent after birth (persistent urachus) or the urachus was already closed and reopens at a later time (patent urachus). The most common causes of patent urachus are congenital defects, tearing of the navel above the predilection site, trauma, increased intravesical or abdominal pressure and umbilical infections. Patent urachus occurs more frequently in premature or weak and immunocompromised foals. Colts are more often affected than fillies. Typical clinical signs are apparent immediately after birth (persistent urachus) or 7-14 days postpartum (patent urachus). These include either dripping or a stream of urine through umbilicus during micturition as well as a moist umbilical area. The diagnosis is usually unambiguous. Typical laboratory findings are not described for patent urachus. Conservative treatment such as obliteration, cauterization or cryosurgery may be employed in cases lacking an inflammation of the urachus or other umbilical structures and when the urachal lumen measures less than 6 mm. Surgical treatment is indicated in foals with large urachal lumen, an umbilical infection or sepsis as well as when no therapeutic success is attained after a conservative treatment of 5-7 days. In most cases, prognosis is good, however complications such as umbilical inflammation, disseminating infections, and secondary joint diseases may significantly impair prognosis.

[Uroperitoneum in neonatal foals - a review of the literature]. / Uroperitoneum beim Fohlen ­ eine Literaturübersicht.

Uroperitoneum is a typical disease in newborn foals. An accumulation of urine develops in the abdominal cavity in consequence to a congenital or acquired leakage in the urinary tract. Colts are more frequently affected than fillies. The most common cause of uroperitoneum is a rupture of the dorsal urinary bladder wall. The urinary bladder is affected in 73.1 %, the urachus in 21.6 % and the ureter in 5.2 % of cases. Typical clinical signs occur 2-5 days postpartum, and encompass reduced general condition, abdominal distention, mild colic symptoms and unphysiologic micturition. Ultrasound examination in conjunction with abdominocentesis is considered as the gold standard of diagnostics. Typical laboratory findings are azotemia, metabolic acidosis as well as electrolyte imbalances, particularly hyperkalemia, hyponatriemia and hypochloridemia. Surgical treatment is the only reasonable therapy. Preoperative metabolic disorders and electrolyte abnormalities should be corrected prior to surgery. Especially hyperkalemia leads to a high potential for complications during general anesthesia. Following effective perioperative stabilization, the presence of a defect in the bladder wall or the urachus carries a good prognosis. In total, 63.6 % of the affected foals are healed. Most common complication is a recurrence of uroperitoneum caused by disruption of the suture line or an incomplete closure of the defect.