Urethritis:

• Inflammation of urethra in both humans and livestock is known as urethritis.
• This condition is relatively rare in animals, however, it can occur and typically has similar characteristics to urethritis in humans.

Etiology:

• Descending infection from bladder: infection may be bacterial, viral or fungal. Bacterial infections are most commonly encountered infections.
• Urinary tract stones: stones cause irritation and inflammation of urethra
• Faulty urinary catheterization
• Physical injury to urethra through trauma, accidents
• Probing with instrument
• Genital infections from coitus, vaginitis, vulvitis

Clinical Findings:

• Pain during urination
• Animals remain on urinating posture for long period of time, i.e. arching back
• Severe straining during act of micturition
• Dribbling of blood from urethral orifice
• Turbid urine
• Rise of temperature
• Increased frequency of urination
• In case of infection, there may be discharge from urethra

Diagnosis:

• Thorough physical examination of urinary tract and genital areas
• Urinalysis: To evaluate the presence of RBCs, WBCs, bacteria and crystals
• Radiographs (X-rays) or ultrasound may be used to assess the urinary tract for stones, obstructions, or other abnormalities.
• In cases of suspected bacterial infection, a swab of the urethra or urine culture may be performed to identify the causative bacteria and guide antibiotic selection.
• Blood tests may be conducted to assess overall health and rule out systemic diseases that could contribute to urethral inflammation.

Treatment:

• If a bacterial infection is present, antibiotics will be prescribed based on the culture and sensitivity results. Pencillin or cephalosporin class of antibiotics are commonly used in UTIs.
• Pain relief medication such as NSAID or opoids in case of severe pain for management of pain
• Intravenous or subcutaneous fluids may be administered to ensure adequate hydration, especially in cases of urinary obstruction.
• In cases where urethral stones or other obstructions are causing urethritis, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove the blockage.
• In some cases, dietary modifications may be recommended to prevent recurrence, particularly if urinary stones are the cause.
• Preventative measures, such as proper hydration, a balanced diet, and regular veterinary check-ups, can help reduce the risk of urethral issues in pets and livestock.