Question of the Day

This cat has a traumatic urinary bladder rupture (uroabdomen/-peritoneum) best diagnosed with paired serum and effusion potassium and creatinine measurements. Uroperitoneum is a surgical emergency.

In cats, a fluid to blood creatinine ratio of 2:1 (same in dogs, foals) and fluid to blood potassium ratio of 1.9:1 (1.4:1 in dogs; not done in foals) is diagnostic for uroabdomen. BUN measurement is often not helpful because it readily equilibrates across the peritoneum.

“High rise syndrome” is a common polytrauma in cats, characterized by a triad of thoracic, craniofacial, and limb injuries. Stabilize life-threatening thoracic trauma such as pneumothorax, pulmonary contusions, and diaphragmatic hernia before surgical treatment of orthopedic trauma.

Uroperitoneum also occurs in newborn foals (more common in males, often associated with birth or prolonged recumbency in the NICU). Affected foals typically present within a couple days of birth with abdominal straining and distention, tachypnea, and decreased nursing with depression. Labs: hyponatremia, hypochloremia, hyperkalemia, and azotemia. Click here to see a classic ruptured bladder on ultrasound.