Introduction
- Cause : blunt abdominal trauma, urethral obstruction, neoplasia, iatrogenic.
In all cases of traumatic injury warn owner of potential complications at time of injury. - Signs : anuria/hematuria, frequent unsuccessful attempts to urinate, stranguria, abdominal distension (later), vomiting.
- Diagnosis : clinical signs, contrast radiography, serum biochemistry abnormalities, sometimes presence of uroabdomen.
- Treatment : surgery.
- Prognosis : favorable if early treatment and no renal damage.
Diagnosis
Clinical signs
- Progressive dehydration and anemia (chemical peritonitis).
- Inability to palpate bladder.
- Fluid wave palpable.
- Following trauma there may be other signs of injury.
Always assess patient completely before undertaking further treatment, eg surgery
Diagnosis
Differential diagnosis
- Other cause of ascites/peritonitis
after trauma (hemoabdomen, bile peritonitis, septic peritonitis from gastrointestinal rupture).
- Urinary tract obstruction .
- Acute renal failure - no urine production.
Sequelae
Prognosis
- Excellent if rupture secondary to trauma and metabolic anomalies corrected prior to surgery.
- Poor if rupture secondary to neoplasia.
Expected response to treatment
- Normal urine output.
- Resolution of azotemia , electrolyte abnormalities.
- Resolution of peritonitis.
Reasons for treatment failure
- Complication: urine leakage from repair site.
