ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN CAMELS (Camelus dromedarius) WITH DIFFERENT URINARY AFFECTIONS

This paper describes the ultrasonographic findings in 29 camels (Camelus dromedarius) with urinary affections. Urinary disorders included cystitis (n=5), urine retention (n=4), hydronephrosis (n=5), red urine (n=4), renal masses (n=2), ruptured bladder (n=6) and ruptured urethra (n=3). In camels with cystitis, transrectal ultrasonography showed a thickened and corrugated urinary bladder mucosa. In those with urine retention due to urolithiasis, transrectal ultrasonography showed a distended urinary bladder with intact wall, peritoneal effusion and dilated pelvic urethra. In camels with hydronephrosis, transrectal ultrasonography showed a distended urinary bladder, anechoic fluid in the uterus and hydronephrosis of the left kidney and transcutaneous ultrasonography showed hydronephrosis of the kidneys. In camels with renal masses, transrectal ultrasonographic examination revealed a corrugated and thickened urinary bladder mucosa with an echogenic mass in the left kidney. Transrectal ultrasonographic examination in a second case revealed an encapsulated 3.6x4 cm echogenic mass. In camels with ruptured urinary bladder, transcutaneous ultrasonography showed anechoic peritoneal fluid which was suggested to be uroperitoneum where viscera were floating. Postmortem findings included perforated urinary bladder, uroperitoneum and inflammed urinary bladder mucosa. In camels with ruptured urethra, transrectal ultrasonography showed a small urinary bladder with relatively small but with intact wall. Ultrasonography proved to be a useful diagnostic modality in camels with different urinary affections.