Transurethral cystoscopy in dogs with recurrent urinary tract infections: Retrospective study (2011‐2018)

Abstract

Background Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in female dogs and recurrent infections often require investigation by transurethral cystoscopy. Hypothesis/Objectives Describe the findings of transurethral cystoscopy in dogs presented for recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTI). Animals Fifty‐three client‐owned dogs with RUTI were included in the study. Methods Retrospective study. Data collected from medical records included signalment, clinical findings, bladder wall culture, cystoscopic, and histopathologic findings. UTI was defined as: presence of compatible clinical signs and at least 2 out of 3 of the following criteria: (1) pyuria, (2) positive urine culture, (3) resolution of clinical signs with antibiotic treatment. Recurrence of UTI was defined as at least 2 episodes of UTI within 6 months or at least 3 or more in 1 year. Results The mean age at presentation was 3.8 years with a majority of female dogs (48/53), 40/48 of which were spayed. Main breeds were Labrador (10/53), Australian Shepherd (4/53), and Miniature Schnauzer (3/53). A hooded vulva was noted in 33/48 of females. Transurethral cystoscopy showed anomalies in 45/53 of cases: mucosal edema (19/53), vestibulovaginal septal remnant (15/48), lymphoid follicles (8/53), short urethra (6/53), and ectopic ureter (5/53). Urine culture at the time of cystoscopy was positive in 13/49. Bladder wall edema and ulceration were the most common findings on histopathology (25/39). Conclusion and Clinical Importance RUTI occurred more frequently in spayed female dogs. Transurethral cystoscopy is useful in the diagnosis and treatment of anomalies in dogs with RUTIs.

Long‐term outcome of female dogs treated for intramural ectopic ureters with cystoscopic‐guided laser ablation

“…Even the presence of an intrapelvic bladder did not appear to have affected dog's long‐term post CLA continence scores, in accordance with some earlier studies, although this has more recently been reported as a factor contributing to urinary incontinence 7,24,37 . Vaginal defects or vaginal septum were not reported as commonly as previous studies, however this may reflect the retrospective nature of our study if some findings were not clearly reported 7,31,38 …”

“…Only two third of dogs in this study received antibiotics after laser ablation of EUs unlike previous studies, where all dogs received antibiotics following laser ablation of EUs 7 . Dogs received antibiotics only if clinical signs were associated with a positive bacterial culture, as per current clinical recommendations 31–33 . We estimated that, as previously reported, subclinical bacteriuria should not be treated as it does not account for infection and may play a protective role preventing colonization by more pathogenic bacteria 34–36 …”

Clinical features, outcome, and illness severity scoring in 32 dogs with urosepsis (2017–2018)

“…These include certain endocrinopathies (eg, hyperadrenocorticism), chronic kidney disease, urolithiasis, poor motor function, aberrant anatomy, immunosuppression, portosystemic vascular anomalies, and the presence of invasive devices in the urogenital tract. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]…”

Diagnostic yield of uroendoscopy compared to ultrasonography for evaluating lower urinary tract disorders in dogs

“…The utility of uroendoscopy in dogs with recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) is less clear. In dogs with rUTI, nonspecific cystourethroscopic and vaginoscopic findings such as mucosal edema, lymphoid follicles and vestibulovaginal septal remnants were noted in 45/53 (85%) cases, but no comparisons were made between endoscopic and ultrasonographic findings in that study 4 . In addition, that study did not determine if these findings were clinically relevant or related to the LUTS for which the dog was being evaluated.…”

“…Cystourethroscopic anomalies are reported in 45/53 (85%) dogs evaluated for rUTI, however many of these abnormalities could be considered nonspecific (eg, bladder and urethral mucosal edema and lymphoid follicles) regardless of the severity, rather than a pertinent uroendoscopic finding that would likely alter case managment. 4,20 Common findings in cystourethroscopy include vestibulovaginal abnormalities, such as vestibulovaginal stenosis. The latter has been reported as a potential contributing comorbidity in dogs with rUTI but was not included as a pertinent finding in our study.…”