The most common disorder of the bladder of the newborn foal is rupture. Most common in colts, it may occur in fillies. The clinical signs are usually present within the first two days of life and include straining to urinate, dysuria, depression, and bilaterally symmetric distension of the abdomen. Surgery is the treatment of choice and the success rate is high is performed within the first 5 days of life. Emergency surgery usually is not required.
Hyperkalemia can cause profound cardiac disease which can result in death.