Renal & Urinary

Comparative Renal Disease and Urinary System Disorders

📅 9 weeks
4 units
📚 Body Systems

Lectures & Topics

Comparative Renal Anatomy & Physiology

Nephron structure and function across species, filtration, tubular reabsorption, hormone regulation (ADH, aldosterone, ANP), and species-specific differences in concentrating ability (carnivores vs. ruminants).

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

Prerenal (hypoperfusion), intrinsic (glomerular/tubular), and postrenal (obstruction) mechanisms. Diagnosis via creatinine, BUN, urinalysis, ultrasound. Management of oliguria, fluid therapy, dialysis indications. KDIGO staging.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Progressive irreversible renal disease staging (IRIS/KDIGO), glomerulosclerosis, tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Clinical signs by stage, proteinuria, anemia, hypertension, renal secondary hyperparathyroidism management.

Urolithiasis & Mineralization Disorders

Stone types (struvite, calcium oxalate, urate), risk factors, dietary management, surgical intervention. Bladder calculi vs. ureteral obstruction. Species differences (ruminant uroliths, equine colic).

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)

Idiopathic cystitis, urinary obstruction emergencies, crystalluria, urine culture vs. sterile cystitis. Stress management, dietary intervention, emergency management of obstruction.

Glomerulonephritis & Proteinuria

Immune-mediated and infectious glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, UPCR interpretation, biopsy indications. ACE inhibitor and SGLT2 inhibitor therapy for renal protection.

NAVLE-Style Quizzes

Flashcards

Clinical Case Prep

Case 1: Feline with Acute Obstruction

4-year-old male cat presents straining in litter box with no urine output x 18 hours. Painful abdomen, distended bladder on palpation. Urinalysis shows crystals. Discuss emergency stabilization, urinary catheterization technique, post-obstructive diuresis management, and prevention strategies.

Case 2: Canine CKD Stage 4

12-year-old dog with eGFR 18, creatinine 3.2, BUN 85, proteinuria 1.2 g/day. Mild azotemia with stable renal values. On enalapril and renal diet. Discuss monitoring intervals, phosphate binders, EPO therapy indications, and quality-of-life counseling.

Case 3: Equine Renal Calculi

5-year-old horse with hematuria and signs of colic. Ultrasound reveals calculus in ureter. Discuss surgical vs. medical management, prognosis for ureteral calculi, recurrence prevention, and dietary phosphate management.

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