ATHENS/USA, July 26th (Biermann) – Dr. Andrea L. Smith and colleagues from University of Georgia reviewed medical records of 16 female dogs that underwent cystoscopic-guided transection of the membrane separating unilateral or bilateral ectopic ureters from the urethra and bladder between May 2005 and May 2008.

Postoperative outcome was determined by use of telephone interviews conducted 1 to 36 months after the procedure.

They found that four dogs had complete resolution of urinary incontinence with cystoscopic-guided transection alone. Another five dogs had complete resolution with a combination of cystoscopic-guided transection and phenylpropanolamine administration, and an additional 4 dogs had an improvement in urinary control, although urinary incontinence persisted.

Smith and her team write that outcome could not be assessed in the remaining three dogs because of collagen injections in the urethra at the time of ureteral transection or nephrectomy secondary to unilateral hydronephrosis.

Based on these results the investigators conclude that cystoscopic-guided transection may be a  good alternative to traditional surgical correction of ectopic ureter in dogs. Furthermore, they point out that complications associated with the cystoscopic procedure were minor and easily managed.

References

• Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, July 15, 2010, Vol. 237, No. 2, Pages 191-195