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  Discussion on Problems peeing
Author Message
New Member:
Cecilia

Posted on Thursday, Feb 3, 2005 - 7:42 pm:

My 8-yr. old gelding has been stretching out (like a super-size park) increasingly over the past 6 months. It appears that he thinks he has to pee but doesn't always, yet clearly something is causing him discomfort. He has been ultrasounded and rectally examined (for stones), his urine collected and tested for infection, and his blood examined. Everything is negative, except his fibrinogen level is high-normal, and the tip of his urethra appears red and raw. He has a clean sheath and no beans. He pees an ok quantity, and he eats well and is his regular wonderful self otherwise. But, my boy seems to have a problem which I must fix. What should I do?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Feb 4, 2005 - 7:16 am:

Hmmm sounds like a mild urethral infection cecilia but I cannot rule out a kidney stone from the history and physical exam findings. These stones are higher in the urinary tract than the bladder so difficult to detect on routine ultrasound. However an experienced ultrasonographer with specialized ultrasound machines could persue this.

You could try carefully culturing the raw areas of the urethera and then selecting a acceptable antibiotic that is cleared in the urine. If the signs go away you quit worrying.
DrO
Member:
Cecilia

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 16, 2005 - 9:29 am:

Thank-you for your advice, Dr.O. I've found a reputable vet in Aiken, S. C. with more sophisticated ultrasound equipment (closer to us than our mutual alma mater, UGA in Athens , my other choice). We're seeing him this Friday. I vaccilate between hoping he finds something and hoping he doesn't; I know a "high-up" kidney stone is not good, but at least we do have access to a fine facility if needed.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Feb 17, 2005 - 8:37 am:

Good luck Cecilia, let us know the outcome.
DrO
Member:
Cecilia

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 1, 2005 - 6:58 pm:

After spending lots of $ on ultrasounds, cystoscopes, rectal exams, bladder catheterizations and various other miserable, invasive diagnostic devices and procedures,the source of B.C.'s peeing problem has been revealed: gram-negative bacilli, and beta hemolytic streptococcus in his urethra and urethra fossa!

This was discovered in a urethral culture which I specifically requested because you suggested it. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you, Dr. O! B.C. has had 4 shots of Nexcel and and a week's worth of sulfa meds and seems to be peeing with less discomfort.

Now, besides the obvious ribald response, how did my horse get strep-throat of his large weenie?! My vets don't know, and can't assure me it won't come back. This must have been very painful for him, as the vet saw lots of red, hematoma-like places with the cystoscope.

Have you ever seen or heard of this?



Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 2, 2005 - 7:48 am:

How...? Trauma? Running around with a loose crowd? Mild urtheritis at the tip of the penis is pretty common and often asymptomatic, why yours turned symptomatic, I am araid I don't know. Any history of steroid or long term antibiotic use?

Stopping the antibiotics early leads to relapse so treat well past resolution of all symptoms. Also some streps are not that sensitive to TMPSMZ. You have the advantage that it is concentrated in the urine but consider it if you have treatment failure. What was the gram negative as it may be the hardest to treat.
DrO
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