Uroperitoneum secondary to rupture of the urachus associated with Clostridium spp. infection in a foal: a case report

Abstract

An 8-hour-old Andalusian colt was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Cordoba due to weakness, lateral recumbence, diarrhoea and absent sucking reflex. At admission the foal was obnubilated, with cold limbs, pale mucous membranes, tachycardia and diarrhoea. Laboratory results revealed increased hematocrit and total protein concentration, hyperfibrinogenemia, leukopenia, azoetemia, hypertrygliceridemia and a decreased IgG level. A diagnose of failure of passive transfer of immunoglobulins and hyperlipaemia was made. On the third day of hospitalization the foal presented painful and swollen joints, abdominal distension and fever. The ultrasonographic study at this point showed abundant hypoechogenic free fluid content in the peritoneal cavity. Abdominocentesis demonstrated a high peritoneal creatinine:serum creatinine ratio. Culture of the peritoneal fluid was Clostridium spp. positive. Necropsy revealed a tear in the internal umbilical remnant. The final diagnosis was uroperitoneum secondary to rupture of the urachus associated with a Clostridium spp. infection. New emerging aetiologies responsible for uroperitoneum, either by septic urachitis or omphalophlebitis, are emerging. Nonetheless, cases of uroperitoneum induced by Clostridium spp. infection are rare and constitute a new and important finding for equine neonatal medicine. In addition, the hyperlipaemic status in this animal could be a plausible cause leading to septicemia and subsequent uroperitoneum.

Omphalitis Leading to Urachitis and Acute Vascular Changes in a Buffalo Calf: An Insight into Macro and Microscopic Pathologic Changes

“…However, the lesions as well as nature of cellular infiltration noted are suggestive of a bacterial infection. In earlier communications, held across the globe, on similar pathology, in different domestic animals, suggested participation by anaerobic bacterium in concert with secondary invaders for such causal pathologic lesions as well as, acute systemic vascular alterations [9,10]. Additionally, we cannot, however, rule out the present attributable tissue changes observed consequent to the action of toxins produced by aerobic or anaerobic bacteria, apart from causation of serious systemic changes.…”

Management of uroperitoneum through combination of conservative and surgical treatments in two colts

“…Tears usually occur in the dorsal wall of the bladder, which can be explained by the reduced thickness of this area ( Kablack et al , 2000 ). The uroabdomen can also evolve from a rupture of the urachus, which may be a result of traction of the umbilical cord at the time of delivery ( Hardy, 1998 ) or by umbilical infections ( Mendoza et al , 2010 ). In the cases reported here, the rupture of the bladder was assumed to be the result of an external trauma (Case 1) or excessive traction of the umbilical cord during delivery (Case 2).…”

Uroperitoneum Secondary to the Rupture of the Urinary Bladder in a Thoroughbred Foal

“…from urinary leakage at the urachus, a bladder tear, or a ureteral defect (1,3,7). The most common cause of uroabdomen is a urinary bladder rupture (3).…”

“…Uroperitoneum or uroabdomen is most commonly caused by a rupture of the urinary bladder in horses and is recognized primarily on male neonatal foals (7). Urachal and ureteral defects also cause uroperitoneum in horses (3,7).…”

“…Uroperitoneum or uroabdomen is most commonly caused by a rupture of the urinary bladder in horses and is recognized primarily on male neonatal foals (7). Urachal and ureteral defects also cause uroperitoneum in horses (3,7). The clinical signs associated with a rupture of the urinary bladder in foals include depression, loss of appetite, progressive abdominal distension, dehydration, colic, pollakiuria, straining, dripping of the urine, and stretching-out stance (2,4,8,9).…”