Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Urine leaking from birth due to urethrovaginal fistula in a dog
By Thompson, Jamie-Leigh et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2021·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Congenital Urethrovaginal Fistula with Blind-Ending Vagina in a Female Pseudohermaphrodite Dog with Urinary Incontinence.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 8-month-old male Doberman was brought in for persistent urinary incontinence, meaning he was leaking urine. The vet found that he had abnormal external genitalia and a large fluid-filled cavity in his abdomen. After surgery, the vet discovered a female reproductive tract and a urethrovaginal fistula, which is an abnormal connection between the urethra and vagina. They removed the affected parts and repaired the urethra, which immediately stopped the incontinence. However, a mild recurrence occurred a few days later due to a bacterial infection, but antibiotics cleared that up completely.
People also search for: dog urinary incontinence treatment · Doberman bladder problems · puppy urinary tract infection symptoms
Abstract
An 8 mo old male Doberman pinscher was referred for investigation of persistent urinary incontinence. Physical examination revealed urine leakage and abnormal external genitalia. A computed tomography scan identified a large fluid-filled cavity extending from the caudoventral abdomen displacing the colon and urinary bladder. No retained testicles were identified. A retrograde urethrogram study found a linear communication, cranial to the pubic brim between the urethra to the fluid-filled cavity (fistula). Exploratory celiotomy was performed, and an entire female reproductive tract with a blind-ending vagina and a urethrovaginal fistula was found. En bloc gonad hysterectomy was performed, the fistula was transected, and a careful urethral reconstruction was performed. The urinary incontinence resolved immediately after surgery, and no complications were reported. Mild urinary incontinence recurred 4 days following patient discharge, and a urine bacterial culture was positive for Klebsiella spp. An antibiotic course was prescribed, and the incontinence fully resolved. Congenital urogenital abnormalities should always be considered in young animals presenting with urinary incontinence. Here, a young female pseudohermaphrodite dog with a naturally occurring congenital urethrovaginal fistula is described. Exploratory surgery was required for definitive diagnosis and surgical intervention yielded a good medium-term outcome with resolution of clinical signs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34370856/