Sabulous cystitis due to idiopathic bladder paralysis syndrome in a gelding

Abstract

Idiopathic bladder paralysis in horses can cause accumulation of macroscopic concretions in the ventral aspect of the organ, named sabulous cystitis. A 16-year-old crossbred gelding, weighing 290 kg, that had been experiencing urinary incontinence for approximately two months was reported. Physical examination revealed urinary incontinence, edema, and irritation and crust formations in the preputial region, with vital parameters within normal limits. Transrectal palpation showed a distended bladder easily emptied through manual pressure, with the urine presenting a large amount of sediment with a sandy appearance. Urinalysis revealed an abundance of crystals of calcium carbonate, amorphous phosphate, and calcium phosphate, and the transrectal ultrasound examination showed thickening of the urinary bladder mucosa and content with a large amount of sediment, diffuse hyperechogenic formations, and distended pelvic urethra with fluid in its entire length. The treatment included the administration of bethanechol chloride, glycerin in the prepuce region and limbs to avoid skin lesions, and correction in the feeding. Idiopathic bladder paralysis syndrome is an infrequent case in the clinical routine of horses that covered the urinary tract disorder, but it did not compromise the animal’s survival.