Urinary Tract Disease in cattle

Infections of the kidneys, bladder and other related structures are somewhat underdiagnosed in large animals. Acute conditions may be easily spotted by discoloured urine or abdominal pain, however more often these are chronic cases resulting in poor detection and prolonged suffering and loss of production. At Farm Vet Services as part of our routine clinical exam (where appropriate) we will perform urinary catheterisation allowing on farm analysis of urine. Each vet is also equipped with an ultrasound scanner allowing visualisation of the lower urinary tract to ensure no sick animal is left untreated.

A regional disease of the urinary tract we see in Tyrone and Fermanagh is Redwater (Babesiosis). We tend to treat the disease based on pasture history and clinical signs (dullness, anaemia, fever and red tinged urine) however a definitive diagnosis requires a blood smear being sent to the lab. At Farm Vet Services are stocked with pyrethroid products to help reduce environmental tick load, as well as Imizol, the only available cure for the disease. In severe cases our vets are equipped to provide more aggressive treatment such as a blood transfusion.