title: Calcium carbonate obstructive urolithiasis in a red kangaroo (Macropus rufus).
abstract: A 6-yr-old male red kangaroo (Macropus rufus) presented for a history of inappetance, abnormal behavior, and unconfirmed elimination for 6 hr prior to presentation. Based on abdominal ultrasound, abdominocentesis, and cystocentesis, a presumptive diagnosis of urinary tract obstruction with uroabdomen and hydronephrosis was reached. Abdominal radiographs did not assist in reaching an antemortem diagnosis. Postmortem examination confirmed a urinary bladder rupture secondary to urethral obstruction by a single urethrolith. Bilateral hydronephrosis and hydroureter were identified and determined to be a result of bilateral ureteroliths. Urolith analysis revealed a composition of 100% calcium carbonate. A dietary analysis was performed, implicating an increased Ca:P ratio from a food preparation miscommunication as a contributing factor. Appropriate husbandry changes were made, and mob surveillance procedures were performed, which resolved the urolithiasis risk for the remaining five animals.
authors.affiliation: Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 North Clark, Chicago, Illinois 60614, USA. dana.lindemann@gmail.com
authors.forename: Dana M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Lindemann
authors.forename: Kathryn C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Gamble
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Corner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000737:chemistry*; D007614:Macropodidae; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D002119:Calcium Carbonate