EXAMINATION OF RENAL-FUNCTION IN HORSES WITH NEPHROPATHIES

Examination of renal function (Bickhardt et al. 1996) gives extensive information on renal disfunctions. This can be determined from a voide d urine and a blood sample. Furthermore a transendoscopic, selective c ollection of urine from each ureter allows a differentiated assessment of the right and left kidney's function. Renal function of 38 patient s of the clinic for horses were examined. Nine of them showed a deviat ion of the normal range. Four patients had acute renal diseases. In tw o cases there was a prerenal and in the other two an intrinsic acute r enal dysfunction. The horses were in a severe bad general condition. S erum urea and creatinine levels were elevated. In two horses a serum e lectrolyte disturbance could be seen. In examination of renal function a reduction of renal creatinine clearance was obvious. In three cases an enormous elevation of tubular enzyme excretion (U-gamma GT/Crea) w as found. Five of nine horses showed chronic nephropathies. Poor perfo rmance and weariness were the most dominating clinical findings. The h orses showed elevated serum urea and creatinine levels and in two case s a hyperkaliaemia occurred. In examination of renal function a reduct ion of renal creatinine clearance and in one case an elevation of frac tional lactate excretion could be found.