Surgery for Urolithiasis

Abstract

Urolithiasis is an important disease of male ruminants of all species. It is an especially prevalent disease of castrated males, but is probably much more devastating in the breeding male. The immediate problem is the complete obstruction of the urethra and the inability to urinate, however, one must always remember the secondary sequallae such as skin sloughs, chemical peritonitis, abdominal adhesions and hydronephrosis or hydroureter. Although agents such as aminopromazine have been used to relax urethral spasm with some degree of success, the primary treatment for obstructive urolithiasis is surgical intervention. For any degree of success with medical therapy the animal must not be completely obstructed and must still be dripping some urine.