Use of a temporary indwelling ureteral stent catheter in a mare with a traumatic ureteral tear.

A 4-year-old primiparous Thoroughbred mare was referred for treatment of uroperitoneum subsequent to dystocia. Hematologic and serum biochemical analyses revealed values consistent with those reported for foals with uroperitoneum. Exploratory celiotomy revealed the source of the uroperitoneum to be a rent in the right ureter proximal to the trigone of the bladder. Substantial accumulation of urine in the tissues surrounding the ureter prevented accurate identification and repair of the defect, so a temporary indwelling ureteral stent catheter was inserted. Three weeks later, the stent catheter was removed, and the mare made a complete recovery with restoration of continuity of the urinary tract and preservation of function of the affected kidney. Use of this procedure offers a practical alternative to unilateral nephrectomy or ureteronephrectomy for traumatic ureteral injuries of horses.