In the process of mink breeding, blisters and urinary stones frequently occur due to improper feeding and management, especially in weaned pups. This condition is more prevalent in male and female cubs, while fewer cases are seen in public pups. The inability to diagnose and treat these conditions effectively leads to significant mortality among the animals, causing substantial economic losses for farmers.
The disease typically occurs between June and August, particularly during hot and humid weather. Affected young minks, especially those that are well-fed, may suddenly show symptoms. These include restlessness, difficulty walking with their hind legs, dribbling urine, and blood in the urine. The hair around the urethra and abdomen becomes wet, and the abdomen appears swollen. When the pubic area is palpated, the bladder feels full and tender. Stones can often be felt, and in some cases, an empty bladder may be detected. Abdominal percussion may reveal fluid sounds, and puncture of the abdomen may result in a large amount of pale yellow or reddish liquid, often mixed with sand-like particles. In chronic cases, the mink may display unstable gait or even hind limb paralysis. Some cases may result in sudden death without visible symptoms.
During necropsy, the main findings include stones of varying sizes in the kidneys and bladder, along with inflammation, hemorrhage, or ulcers surrounding the stones.
The causes of this disease are multifactorial. Long-term feeding of mineral-rich diets, especially excessive amounts of bran or cereal feeds, can lead to hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria, creating favorable conditions for calcium carbonate urolithiasis. Additionally, vitamin A deficiency can disrupt the central nervous system's regulation of salt formation, leading to keratinization of the urothelium and increasing the risk of stone formation. During hot seasons, insufficient water intake can cause concentrated urine, increasing the likelihood of salt crystallization and stone formation.
Changes in the physiochemical properties of urine also play a role. For example, basic urine can promote the formation of calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, and ammonium magnesium phosphate stones, while acidic urine favors urate stones. A decrease in citrate levels further enhances the precipitation of calcium salts.
Infections in the urinary system can also contribute to stone formation. Bacteria and inflammatory products can act as nuclei for crystal formation, disrupting the normal balance of urine components and promoting stone development.
Diagnosis is based on clinical signs such as difficulty urinating, palpation of stones in the bladder, and results from post-mortem examination. Complete urethral obstruction can be confirmed through these methods, while incomplete obstruction may require initial behavioral observations and subsequent confirmation via necropsy.
To prevent urolithiasis, it is recommended to add 0.8% phosphoric acid solution (or 20% ammonium chloride) to the feed from April until the shedding period, maintaining a diet pH of around 6.0. Administering 1–2 ml every 3–5 days, then stopping for 3–5 days before resuming for a month, has proven effective. Adding vinegar to the diet can also help prevent urinary stones. Increasing the proportion of meat, fat, milk, and vegetables in the diet ensures proper calcium-to-phosphorus balance and sufficient vitamin A. Adequate water supply is also essential.
For cases of incomplete obstruction, administering urotropine (0.2 mg), sulfasalazine (0.1–0.2 g), Salo (0.2–0.3 g), and sodium bicarbonate (0.2–0.3 g) orally once daily for seven days can be beneficial. Traditional Chinese medicine treatments, such as a combination of Haijinsha, Desmodium, Ji Nei Jin, Dendrobium, sea pumice stone, and talc, can also be used after appropriate crushing and administration.
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