Urolithiasis, Biology

Assignment Help:

Urolithiasis

The presence of calculi (urolith) in the urinary system is termed as urolithiasis, and the disease is characterized by distension of bladder and partial or complete absence of urine passage.

Etiology: Precipitation of urinary solutes and its deposition around the nidus results in calculi formation in the urinary tract. Mostly the inorganic salts are precipitated. Nidus is formed by casts, bacteria, leukocytes, degenerated or desquamated cells, and mucoproteins. Change in the pH, dehydration, lack of water and metabolic defects help in precipitation of the solutes over the nidus. Mucopolysaccharides serve as cementing agent and help in enlargement of calculi.

Urolith formation is common in castrated animals. Ingestion of fodder crops high in phosphates also helps in calculi formation. This may be the reason why ruminants in some areas like paddy growing areas are more prone to urolithiasis. The problem is also common in hilly areas with high mineral contents of feed, fodder and water. Males because of longer urethra and presence of curve due to sigmoid flexure are more commonly affected than females. In males, calculi commonly occur in urethra while in females these are seen in urinary bladder.

The pH of urine affects composition of calculi. In alkaline urine, carbonate and phosphates of calcium, magnesium and ammonium are the major constituents of calculi while oxalates, urates and xanthines are mainly present in animals with acidic urine. Bacterial infection also alters the composition of calculi. Deficiency of vitamin A, presence of infection in urinary tract, concentration of salts, deficiency of green fodder, excess use of sulfonamides and estrogenic hormone are the major predisposing factors for calculi formation.

Pathogenesis: The calculi block the urinary passage either partially or completely resulting in retention of urine and distention of bladder, leading to uremia and toxaemia. The distended bladder ruptures after 24-48 h and urine accumulates in the pelvic cavity.

Clinical signs: Urolithiasis is characterized by complete cessation of urination or partial flow of urine and continuous dribbling of urine. The animal shows signs of severe abdominal pain, uneasiness, stiff gait, kicking at the belly. Repeated twitching of penis in male animals and frequent attempts to urinate are commonly noticed. Urine mixed with few drops of blood may be passed with grunting. The abdomen is distended and on rectal palpation, full urinary bladder may be felt. Bladder or urethra ruptures releasing urine into pelvic cavity if corrective measures are not taken for continuance of urine flow.

Diagnosis: Clinical examination of the patient, symptoms and rectal palpation can help in tentative diagnosis of urolithiasis. It can be confirmed by passing catheter through urethral opening. Radiological examination reveals presence of calculi in the urinary passage. On microscopic examination of urine, presence of excessive crystals and cells is indicative of the disease. Blood urea nitrogen and serum / plasma creatinine level are highly elevated.

The disease should be differentiated from pyelonephritis and cystitis. In these cases, urinary bladder is not full of urine and radiological examination also helps in the differentiation.

Treatment: Calculi can be removed by the surgical treatment. Calculi present in the upper portion of urethra can be pushed into bladder with the help of a catheter. Use of protein-free extract of mammalian pancreas @ 5-10 ml intramuscularly for 2-3 days and muscle relaxants like amino-promazine also helps in these cases. Urinary antiseptics like 4-5 g of hexamine and antibiotics like streptomycin, nitrofurantoin, norfloxacin or cephalosporines should be administered for 5 to 7 days. Some of the ayurvedic preparations like cystone powder or tablets are of value in dissolution of the small calculi.


Related Discussions:- Urolithiasis

Pvcs during recovery, As the heart rapidly slows during recovery from exerc...

As the heart rapidly slows during recovery from exercise, PVCs commonly occur and usually have no clinical significance. This may be a time when metabolic adjustments in the heart

What are the classes of lipoproteins in the blood, Q. What are the classes ...

Q. What are the classes of lipoproteins in the blood? Blood lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids) being insoluble in blood need a ship to travel in our body; it

Explain butylated hydroxyanisole, Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) It is ...

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) It is commercially available as a mixture of two isomers and has found wide commercial use in the food industry. It is highly soluble in oil and

Ecology, Which of the following are likely to help conserve soil and preven...

Which of the following are likely to help conserve soil and prevent erosion?

What food items include in full liquid diet, What food items  include in f...

What food items  include in full liquid diet -  Soups and broths -  Cereal porridges (refined cereals) -  Milk and milk beverages, yoghurt - Coffee, tea, fruit  juices

If the titration is done by adding naoh to a solution, If the titration is ...

If the titration is done by adding NaOH to a solution containing 2.661 moles of lysine, how many milliliters (mL) of a 5 M solution of NaOH would you have to add to reach point "E"

Explain deet, DEET DEET is available in the US in many formulations wi...

DEET DEET is available in the US in many formulations with concentrations of 5%-40% and 100%; higher concentrations present complete protection for a longer period of time, bu

What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system, What are the tw...

What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system? The autonomic nervous system is separated into the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system

How will it impact the rest of the organs, Starting at the esophagus, trace...

Starting at the esophagus, trace the pathway of food through the system. At each organ, indicate anatomical adaptations to the general GI tract tube structure that enhance the spec

Determine the biological diversity of an ecosystem, Is monoculture a system...

Is monoculture a system that contributes to great biological diversity of an ecosystem? Monoculture means that in a large area a single crop (only single species of plant) is c

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd