Abstract
This report describes a case of cystic calculosis in a two-year-old male thoroughbred horse presented to the Hidaka Yearling Training Farm. The patient had a history of pollakiuria and slight hematuria following exercise. However, a rectal examination of the bladder revealed no apparent abnormalities. Three months later, a cystic calculus with the approximate size of a ping-pong ball was easily palpated in the bladder via rectal examination and subsequently confirmed by endoscopic examination. Laparocystotomy was then performed following inhalation anesthesia in dorsal recumbency. The skin was incised on the right paramedian side of the penis, and the bladder was isolated and elevated to the skin incision.
The calculi were exfoliated by hand from the urinary mucosa and removed. Surgery was completed within 4 hours and the animal recovered uneventfully. However, 46 days following surgery, rectal palpation revealed calculus of approximately 15 mm in diameter. This was subsequently removed using urethral endoscopy with a basket type forceps.
In retrospect, a muscle relaxant may be beneficial during laparocystotomy because the bladder was difficult to elevate, making it difficult to remove all small size calculi. Endoscopy with a basket type forceps was a safe, easy and effective method for removal of small diameter calculi from the bladder.
