Long-term results of ectopic ureter treatment in female cats

Abstract

Case series summaryThe objective of this study was to report the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation and outcome of ectopic ureter treatment in four female cats. Medical records of cats diagnosed with ectopic ureter between 2016 and 2021 were reviewed. Cats were included if they had a confirmed diagnosis of an extramural (three cases) or intramural (one case) ectopic ureter and underwent either surgical correction using an intravesicular end-to-side neoureterocystostomy technique or cystoscopic laser ablation. Information obtained from the medical records included history, signalment, clinicopathological data, imaging findings, treatment performed, postoperative complications and long-term clinical follow-up. Four female cats with unilateral ectopic ureters were identified, all of which (4/4) presented with urinary incontinence, with half (2/4) also having recurrent urinary tract infections. Pre-treatment diagnostics revealed three cases of extramural and one case of intramural ectopic ureters.Relevance and novel informationSurgical correction was performed using intravesicular end-to-side neoureterocystostomy for the three cats with an extramural ectopic ureter and cystoscopic laser ablation for the cat with an intramural ectopic ureter. Long-term follow-up showed no recurrence of urinary incontinence or of lower urinary tract signs after ectopic ureter treatment (median follow-up 1705 days). This study demonstrates that both intravesicular end-to-side neoureterocystostomy and cystoscopic laser ablation are effective and safe long-term treatment options for cats with unilateral ectopic ureters.