Vestibular, Vaginal, and Urethral Relations in Spayed Dogs with and without Lower Urinary Tract Signs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the urogenital anatomy in female spayed dogs with and without signs of lower urinary tract disease by using conventional vaginourethrography, computed tomography (CT) vaginourethrography, and uroendoscopy. Nineteen dogs with lower urinary tract disease and 12 normal dogs were evaluated prospectively. Measurements made included vaginal length, vaginal height, vaginal width, vestibule length, vestibule height, vestibule width, vestibulovaginal ratios, cingulum height, cingulum width, cingulum area, urethral length, urethral height, urethral width, angle of urethra to vestibule, and angle of vaginal to vestibule. Group comparisons were made between dogs with and without lower urinary tract disease. Comparisons between conventional vaginourethrography and CT vaginourethrography were made when the same anatomical measurement was made by the 2 imaging modalities. There was no significant difference in all of the measurements (P . .01), including vestibulovaginal ratios and cingulum areas, between dogs with and without lower urinary tract disease. There was a larger proportion of dogs with a vestibulovaginal ratio ,0.33 in normal dogs (8 of 12) compared with the clinical dogs (8 of 16). A significant difference between vestibulovaginal ratios or cingulum areas between dogs with and without lower urinary tract disease could not be identified. This suggests that a vestibulovaginal ratio of ,0.33 may only be an incidental finding and the term ''vestibulovaginal stenosis'' may need to be redefined.

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

“…Similarly, in 3 previous studies, breeds varied widely but Labrador Retrievers are predisposed, representing more than 5% of cases . Presence of a hooded vulva predisposes dogs to RUTI that might explain its high prevalence in our study population (69%). Unfortunately, because of missing information in medical files, it was not possible to statistically compare age at spay between females with and without a hooded vulva.…”

“…It was considered short when the length was inferior to 7 cm. We chose this length based on previous studies that measured mean normal urethral length of 8 cm . Anatomic anomalies were noted and corrected during the same procedure (eg, ectopic ureters, vestibulovaginal septal remnant, urethral septum) using a Holmium:YAG or diode laser.…”

“…Decreased frequency or incomplete voiding, damaged urothelium, and urethral sphincter incompetence can allow a greater number of bacteria to ascend and remain in the bladder. Congenital and acquired anatomic anomalies of the urogenital tract (urinary masses, uroliths, vestibulovaginal stenosis, vaginal strictures, ectopic ureters (EU), ureteroceles, hooded vulva, vestibulovaginal septal remnant (VVSR), urethral septal membrane) can also predispose dogs to recurrent urinary tract infection (RUTI). Further investigations such as abdominal radiography, abdominal ultrasound, contrast imaging, and finally transurethral cystoscopy are indicated in the presence of RUTI.…”

Vaginal resection and anastomosis for treatment of vestibulovaginal stenosis in 4 dogs with recurrent urinary tract infections

“…3 Prevalence of vestibulovaginal stenosis in dogs has been reported to be approximately 25%. A study 8 involving spayed dogs with and without lower urinary tract signs revealed no significant cutoff point in the vestibulovaginal ratio with which to differentiate clinically affected dogs from unaffected dogs. 7 This size difference was determined on the basis of findings in sexually intact female dogs with no known urogenital tract problems.…”

Urogenital anomalies and urinary incontinence in an English Cocker Spaniel dog with XX sex reversal

“…Differentiation between congenital and acquired urethrovaginal communications requires careful history taking and identification of chronic inflammation, foreign bodies, and the location and morphology of the fistula via imaging modalities such as ultrasonography, retrograde urethrography, CT, vaginoscopy, and urethrocystoscopy . In particular, urethrocystoscopy and vaginoscopy provide excellent visualization for identification of lower urinary tract disease . Although urethrocystoscopy and vaginoscopy were not performed in this dog, the studies performed provided adequate information about urinary incontinence and the congenital anomalies present.…”