EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE LITHOTRIPSY AND ENDOSCOPIC URETERAL STENT PLACEMENT IN AN ASIAN SMALL-CLAWED OTTER (AONYX CINEREA) WITH NEPHROLITHIASIS

Abstract

Urolithiasis is a significant disease concern in Asian small-clawed otters (Aonyx cinerea), with over 60% of captive animals affected. Bilateral ureteral stent placement, using endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance, and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) were performed as salvage procedures in a 13-yr-old intact female Asian small-clawed otter following a 7-yr history of nephrolithiasis and progressive renal insufficiency. Following the procedure, radiographs revealed a slight shifting of urolith position, although a decrease in urolith mass was not observed. As a result of declining quality of life related to severe osteoarthritis, the otter was euthanized 5 wk after the procedure. While this treatment approach was unsuccessful in this case, the technique was clinically feasible, so ESWL and ureteral stent placement may remain a consideration for other individuals of this species presented earlier in the course of this disease.

Osteoporosis in an Asian small-clawed otter (<i>Aonyx cinereus</i> Illiger, 1815)

“…The symptoms of renal osteodystrophy are similar to those of fibrous osteodystrophy, including lameness, loss of teeth, and deformity of the maxilla and mandible [2], none of which were observed in this case. In addition, bone disorders in an Asian small-clawed otter with renal disease have never been reported previously [8,9]. Taken together, our gross data and histological observations do not support signs of renal osteodystrophy in this case.…”