Urolithiasis, colloquially referred to as urinary stone disease, refers to the formation and deposition of various concretions in the urinary tract of horses. Although this disease occurs sporadically in horses, it can lead to serious symptoms and significant impairments. The deposits can occur in the form of crystals, grit, sand, or stones and are most commonly found (approx. 60%) in the urinary bladder. Geldings are more severely affected than stallions or mares.
The exact causes of urinary stone formation remain unclear. The main component of urinary stones is calcium carbonate, which is why an excess of calcium and phosphorus in the body is suspected to be the trigger. However, it is known that certain factors promote the formation of urinary stones. These include urinary tract infections, urinary retention or tissue damage leading to a shift in pH, an excess of certain minerals in the urine, and mucus and dead cells that serve as crystallization nuclei. Bladder paralysis or bladder emptying disorders can lead to an excessive accumulation of sandy-loamy urinary gravel. This is referred to as sabulous (= sandy) cystitis.
Clear signs of illness are usually only observed once the urinary stones have reached a certain size and significant tissue damage has occurred. Affected horses exhibit increased and painful urination, bloody urine, dribbling urine, and in some cases mild colic symptoms.
In rare cases, large stones can completely block the urethra, preventing urination. The affected animals show severe colic symptoms and the increased pressure can ultimately lead to a rupture of the bladder or urethra. The symptoms stop abruptly, urine accumulates in the abdominal cavity and the animals become apathetic. Both the severe colic symptoms and the sudden change always constitute an acute emergency and require immediate veterinary treatment.
After a detailed preliminary report and a general clinical examination, the veterinarian can already make a tentative diagnosis. This suspicion is usually confirmed by a rectal examination, as a bladder stone can be clearly felt by the veterinarian in the emptied bladder due to its size. A complete examination of the entire urinary tract should always be performed to detect any further stones or grit.
The exact diagnosis and precise visualization of the urinary stone(s) can finally be made with the help of transrectal ultrasound and endoscopic examination of the urethra and bladder (cystoscopy). Additional blood and urine tests can be used to determine the parameters of inflammation, the severity of the disease, possible bacterial involvement, and impairment of kidney function.
Sandy-loamy urinary gravel can be softened and flushed out by bladder irrigation. To date, there is no known drug therapy that dissolves calcium-containing urinary stones. The treatment of choice is therefore always surgical removal of the urinary stones. Various surgical methods are now available to veterinarians for this purpose. Once the horse has been anesthetized and laid down, conventional surgery or minimally invasive laparocystotomy (keyhole surgery) can be performed. Both of these methods always require general anesthesia and at least two weeks of box rest for the patient after the operation.
With the help of modern shock wave techniques, urinary stones can now also be broken up and removed endoscopically via the urethra in standing horses. Although this procedure should always be performed in a clinic, it only requires sedation of the horse and leaves no surgical scars that take a long time to heal.
In the rare cases where kidney stones are diagnosed, they can only be treated by surgical removal of the kidney. This difficult procedure should be reserved for absolute specialists. Please consult your veterinarian in individual cases to find out where such a procedure can be performed.
The chances of recovery depend on the location and size of the urinary stones and the success of the surgical treatment. If bladder or urethral stones are completely removed by laparoscopy or conventional surgical techniques, there is only a very low risk of recurrence and therefore a good prognosis. In the case of ureteral or kidney stones, the prognosis is only cautious due to the much more difficult surgical procedure.
Depending on the duration and severity of the disease, bladder emptying disorders may still occur after treatment. Due to inflammation of the mucous membrane and mechanical irritation of the bladder, the affected horses are unable to urinate in a targeted and controlled manner even after the stones have been removed. The affected horses have a permanently overfilled bladder, which can lead to recurrent colic. If this problem proves to be irreversible, it may be necessary to euthanize the horse.
To prevent the formation of urinary stones, the composition of both roughage and concentrated feed should be discussed in detail with the veterinarian and adjusted if necessary. It is advisable to have a roughage analysis carried out and to check the ingredients of all feed supplements. Since stones in horses are primarily composed of calcium carbonate, calcium-containing feed should be avoided as far as possible to prevent excessive intake.
Almost all of us are familiar with asthma in humans. But chronic respiratory diseases are also becoming increasingly common among our horses. Over the past few years, various terms have been established to describe a similar complex of diseases. In English-speaking countries, the umbrella term "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease" (COPD) was used for a long time, as it was assumed that the changes affected not only the bronchi but the entire lungs. In German, the term "chronische obstruktive Bronchitis" (COB) was mostly used. Although these terms are still often used today, in veterinary medicine for horses, a distinction is now only made between "RAO: Recurrent Airway Obstruction" and "IAO: Inflammatory Airway Disease." The central component of all terms is always the obstruction or narrowing of the small bronchi, which leads to breathing difficulties and coughing. The precursor to these chronic diseases is usually acute bronchitis.
This rapidly progressing muscle disease, also known as grass disease, has only been known since the beginning of the last century and is feared by horse owners because most of the horses affected die from it and the causes were unclear for a long time. It primarily affects young, well-fed horses that graze on rather unkempt, nutrient-poor pastures.
Heart disease is also relatively common in our four-legged friends, affecting almost one in ten dogs. Heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer pump enough blood into the circulatory system, meaning that the body is no longer supplied with sufficient oxygen.
As a general rule, every dog needs a certain amount of grooming, some more than others. For some dogs, it is even worth taking them to a professional groomer. As a dog owner, you can also do some grooming yourself at home.
Taking in a foal and choosing the long road to happiness on horseback is a real adventure! It is an opportunity to form a bond that can mature over many years and to watch a foal grow into a horse. But it also requires commitment on your part.
Doesn't every rider dream of an unforgettable ride on their four-legged favorite? Whether over hill and dale, along the coast, or simply from place to place. The feeling of sitting relaxed on your horse with the wind in your hair is amazing. Exploring nature together, perhaps racing neck and neck in a riding group or bravely riding into a lake to swim – you probably have all these images and stories of wonderful riding trips with happy horse-rider pairs in your head right now. We all know that it's not always sunshine and roses on four hooves and that some riders work up quite a sweat when riding through unfamiliar terrain. But with a little preparation and a few precautions, you can create the right conditions for returning from your ride full of enthusiasm and wonderful memories.
It's really special when your own dog has puppies – and for us as dog owners, it's probably just as exciting as it is for the animal itself. It's important that you, as the companion of the expectant dog mom, always remain calm – and have the emergency number of your vet handy.
There are many reasons why a mare that has previously been a riding horse might be turned into a broodmare. There are a few factors to consider on the way to your first foal.
What do these five letters stand for? This abbreviation comes from English and literally means "feline lower urinary tract disease." It describes all diseases of the urinary tract in cats that cause difficulty and pain when urinating. As a rule, almost exclusively indoor cats are affected; outdoor cats almost never develop this condition. Male cats are also more susceptible than female cats.
The dog, which is descended from the wolf, has teeth that are designed for hunting, killing, and tearing food apart. However, the search for food has changed for our four-legged friends: today, we open a can or even cook for our beloved furry friends. Breeding different breeds has also changed the length of dogs' noses and the spacing between their teeth. Unfortunately, all of this can lead to dental problems.
A dull coat, hairless, inflamed areas of skin and often very severe itching are characteristic of this parasitic skin disease, which occurs worldwide and can affect dogs of all ages. It is triggered by a mite, Demodex, which is also found on healthy dogs. Why it multiplies at an above-average rate in certain cases and leads to the skin changes mentioned above is still not fully understood. The disease is not considered contagious.
The decision to neuter is difficult for many dog owners. On the one hand, you want to see a change in behavior, but on the other hand, you are concerned about irreversible consequences. With a Suprelorin implant, you can test how neutering affects your dog's behavior and health without taking the final step right away. The implant can also be used for ferrets.
