Surgical management of urolithiasis.

A review of equine urolithiasis is presented. Special emphasis is placed on clinical diagnosis and management. Although somewhat uncommon, urolithiasis is a potentially serious condition with an apparent predilection for male horses. Although the entire urinary tract is at risk for urolith formation, the bladder and urethra are most commonly affected. The principal signs include stranguria, hematuria, and dysuria. Severe abdominal discomfort is often observed in patients suffering from distal urinary tract obstructions. If urolithiasis is promptly identified, a variety of surgical techniques may be applied to resolve and treat this condition.