Obstructive urolithiasis in a Saanen goat in New Zealand, resulting in a ruptured bladder

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: A 3-year-old male, castrated Saanen goat was presented with an acute onset of vocalisation, abdominal discomfort and ‘tail-flagging’.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: Radiographs, including a positive-contrast study, indicated obstructive urolithiasis, and evidence of rupture of the urethra. Analysis of uroliths identified calcium carbonate crystals. Amputation of the urethral process could not re-establish urethral patency, so a tube cystotomy was performed but also was not successful. Eighteen days after admission, a perineal urethrostomy was performed. However, the goat's condition deteriorated 12 days after the urethrostomy, and the owner consented to euthanasia of the animal. Post-mortem examination revealed a hole 2 x 1 cm on the dorsal aspect of the bladder, and a necrotic focus measuring approximately 2 x 3 cm ventrally.

DIAGNOSIS: Obstructive urolithiasis, with ruptured bladder and urethra.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Obstructive urolithiasis is probably an under-reported condition of castrated male goats in New Zealand.

KEY WORDS:

• Obstructive urolithiasis
• calcium carbonate
• caprine urolithiasis

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Devon Thompson, for providing the radiographs, and Alan Wolfe, for conducting the post-mortem examination and interpreting the histological slides.