Urovagina

Urovagina


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Basic Information image



Definition


Accumulation of incompletely voided urine in the vaginal fornix



Synonym(s)




• Urine pooling


• Vesicovaginal reflux



Epidemiology



Species, Age, Sex


Urovagina can be most often identified in older or multiparous mares.



Risk Factors




• Abnormal perineal conformation


• Low body condition score


• In some cases, the mare may only pool urine during estrus when the reproductive tract is under the influence of increased estradiol concentrations.


• Transient urine pooling may occur peripartum because of urethral bruising or from shifting of the urethral angle caused by a heavy uterus.



Associated Conditions and Disorders




• Urometra


• Pneumovagina



Clinical Presentation



History, Chief Complaint




• Urine dripping from the vulva during exercise or at rest


• Urine scalding on the caudal medial thighs


• History of infertility or reduced fertility



Physical Exam Finding


Vaginal speculum examination shows a pool of urine in the ventral aspect of the vaginal fornix and a cranioventral slope of the vaginal vault with inflammation of the cranial vagina and cervix.



Etiology and Pathophysiology


In normal young mares, the reproductive tract slopes craniodorsally, and the vestibule and vagina are mostly contained within the pelvic cavity. The vagina may slope cranioventrally and fall below the level of the pelvic floor because of increased age. After multiple pregnancies, stretching and relaxation of the reproductive tract occurring during vaginal delivery may also lead to urine pooling. This often worsens with each foaling. Because of these physical changes, urine may collect in the cranial vagina, where it provides a spermicidal environment and irritates the vaginal mucosa, predisposing to vaginitis, cervicitis, and endometritis. Affected mares often have some degree of abnormal perineal conformation such as a sunken anus or dorsally sloped vulva. Poor perineal conformation may be caused by loss of pelvic fat.



Diagnosis image



Differential Diagnosis




• Uterine infection with an accumulation of exudate in the vagina


• Postbreeding endometritis


• Vaginitis (acute or chronic)


• Chronic accumulation of urine sediment in the vagina and uterus from chronic urine pooling may resemble a foreign body or even air in the uterus during ultrasound evaluation.

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Jul 24, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Urovagina

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