TUBE CYSTOSTOMY FOR TREATMENT OF OBSTRUCTIVE UROLITHIASIS IN SMALL RUMINANTS

Tube cystostomy was used to treat 13 goats and two sheep with obstruct ive urolithiasis. The cystostomy tube was intermittently occluded 3 to 4 days after placement to determine if urine could be voided through the urethra. If the animal showed no discomfort during urination after the cystostomy tube had been occluded for several days, the tube was removed. This procedure was successful in relieving urethral obstructi on in 12 animals. The mean time until the animal could urinate freely and until the cystostomy tube was removed was 11.5 and 14.4 days respe ctively. Follow-up was available for 10 animals; seven were alive with no recurrence of urinary obstruction. One goat died from causes unrel ated to urinary obstruction 1 year postoperatively. One goat died from unknown causes, and one goat died after urinary obstruction recurred. (C) Copyright 1995 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons