ABSTRACT
A thorough history should be taken before a physical examination is performed. The clinician should enquire about the duration and type of clinical signs, medication(s) given, response to treatment, diet, reproductive status and number of animals on the premises that are affected. A full physical examination should be performed because the clinical signs of urinary tract diseases are non-specific and many urinary tract diseases resemble acute and/or chronic lower gastrointestinal diseases. Urinalysis is required for the assessment of urinary tract function. Urinary tract inflammation, infection, neoplasia, endotoxaemia or trauma may result in increased numbers of erythrocytes in the urine. Alterations in plasma and serum electrolyte levels may be encountered with certain types of urinary tract disease. Urinary tract radiography is diagnostically adequate in foals and miniature horses. Increases in urinary Gamma-glutamyltransferase may be present with early tubular necrosis; however, this is a non-specific finding.
