Page 7 - Clinical Connections Autumn 2015

Pygmy goat urolithiasis – a big problem
Pygmy goats are increasingly common pets, but many owners are struggling to recognise ‘blocked bladder’ symptoms. It can be dif cult for vets to differentiate urolithiasis from other issues, such as gastrointestinal problems, and it can be easy to underestimate the urgency for treatment.
Affected goats, primarily pygmy species and almost always male and neutered, typically present with dullness and inappetance.They often stretch out as though trying to defecate but actually are straining to urinate. Because the urethra becomes blocked by calculi they cannot urinate and the bladder becomes increasingly distended.
The earlier owners and vets recognise signs of urolithiasis the better prognosis
they have. It is usually fatal if it gets to the stage where the bladder ruptures. Emergency surgical intervention is required to avoid this. Urolithiasis is difficult to diagnose in the field as ultrasound is required to examine bladder size and shape.
The RVC’s Farm Animal Clinical Centre receives many emergency urolithiasis referrals. Ultrasound and radiographs are taken on admission to establish a surgical plan. During tube cystotomy surgery the bladder is exteriorised and an indwelling tube placed to allow urine to drain externally. This diverts urine away from the urethra, giving it time to heal and try to get stones to pass.
The tube is left in place for two weeks, and once the stones have passed and the urethra is healed the tube is removed. In the meantime, any kidney damage and other medical complications that may have resulted are treated with intensive critical care.
Preventative measures include castrating at as old an age as possible, keeping their body weight down by feeding grass hay and minimal or no
Goat with tube cystotomy in place
grain, and ensuring that fresh (not too cold or frozen) drinking water is always available. Rainwater may be preferable because mains water can be very hard and predispose them to calcium carbonate stones.
Call us if you have any queries
or concerns about a client’s goat. Contact details for RVC Farm Animal Referrals are on the back page
RVC Clinical Connections Autumn 2015 7
Encouraging a collaborative approach to veterinary forensics
have also been identified as problems, with a recent survey identifying 77% of respondents as having no relevant education or training opportunities.
At the RVC, collaboration with experts in the field, the RSPCA and police forces, has led to the development of Standard Operating Procedures detailing legal post
The RVC recently welcomed veterinary pathologists and clinicians, along with welfare professionals and delegates from the RSPCA and police, to an event dedicated to promoting a multidisciplinary approach to the investigation of veterinary forensic cases.
The forensic pathology open day, on 14 October, was hosted by members of the RVC’s Pathology and Diagnostic Laboratories team.The department has built up considerable expertise in forensic pathology cases, and frequently conducts post mortems on behalf of the RSPCA and police forces.
There has been a greater focus by various agencies in recent years on links between domestic abuse and the abuse of pets, and between antisocial behaviour and animal abuse. Organisations involved
with animal and human welfare sharing information and insights has been key to a collaborative approach to tackling problems.
Other factors helping to bring veterinary forensics to the fore include an increase in public concern regarding domestic and wild animal welfare and an increased tendency for animal owners to seek compensation in cases of unexplained injury or death.
Fracture of the mandible in a skull of a cat
mortem procedures that include specialised templates for legal reporting.
In addition, the RVC has a team of six experienced pathologists, with specific training in legal report writing and courtroom
There are currently no national or international institutes for standardising terminology related to veterinary forensics medicine or reporting practices, with specialised forensic reporting templates only being used in 13 out of 61 relevant institutions in Europe.Training and research and development in the field
skills required by expert witnesses. This high forensic caseload, together with a well-established internally standardised forensic reporting procedure and suitable pathological expertise, places the RVC in an opportune position for future development of veterinary forensic services.