Needle gauge size increases the diagnostic quality for cystocentesis in West African Dwarf goats

Abstract

Cystocentesis in goats is a diagnostic and sometimes therapeutic tool which can be used to determine urethral obstruction and urolithiasis which is common in goats. Cystocentesis is usually carried out with small gauge needles to prevent the contamination of the urine sample by large bore needles. The use of ultrasound guided cystocentesis is likely to improve the safety and quality of urine collected for diagnosis. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the needle gauge on the diagnostic quality of urine. Seven male adult West African Dwarf (WAD) goats of an average weight of 8.7 ±2.3kg were used in this study and multiple samples were taken in each animal over a period of ten days. Three needle of different sizes with 18, 21 and 23 gauges respectively were used to collect 2mls of urine with the aid of a 3.5-5 MHz Ultrasound machine. The samples were immediately taken to the laboratory for evaluation of colour, odour, pH, specific gravity, protein, glucose, ketones, blood, erythrocytes, leukocytes, epithelial cells, casts, crystal, and micro-organisms. Out of 40 attempts, there was 30% (12) success rate for 18 and 21 gauge needles whereas 18 gauge needles had more success but also had more red blood cells. Sample collection with 23 gauge needles was not successful. Thus, 21gauge needles appear to be the ideal needles for cystocentesis in goats. The average dimensions of goat bladder appeared to be 4.6cm by 3.2cm (n=7) and average urine yield was 1-2mls (n=7). The result from the current study indicates that, ultrasound-guided cystocentesis can be carried out in goats using 18 and 21 gauge needles. However, the 21-gauge needle appears to be better suited than the 18-gauge needle as the latter is likely to cause more trauma during sample collection.