Obstructive Urolithiasis in Buffalo Calves and Goats: Incidence and Management

Abstract

The present study was conducted to acquire detailed information regarding the cases of retention of urine in goats and buffalo calves presented to the Division of Surgery, Referral Veterinary Polyclinic, IVRI-Izatnagar over a period of 8 months. Out of 186 animals presented with the complaint of retention of urine, 82 (44.08 %) were goats and 104 (55.91 %) buffalo calves. A thorough history regarding age, sex, location, feeding, retention type-partial/complete, castration and duration of retention, of all cases was taken. Age of the animals ranged between one and nine months, with young ones being more commonly affected. Gender variations were seen wherein males were mostly affected. More prevalence was found in the extreme summer or winter. Goats castrated at early age were more affected while such observations were not seen in buffalo calves. Cystorrhexis was more common in buffalo calves compared to goats. All the animals were treated on the same day, taken as surgical emergency and tube cystostomy was done. In post-operative period urinary acidifiers were given to dissolve the calculi. Catheter was removed on an average at 13-17 days post surgery after the animals started passing urine normally through the natural orifice, though, in some cases delay in normal urination was observed.