What Is Your Diagnosis?

Urethrorectal fistula in a Labrador puppy

“…Clinically, occasionally abberant urination is noticed in the juvenile animal, 4,7 as in this case, but the condition is more often diagnosed by investigation into recurrent or persistent lower urinary tract infections starting at around 6 months of age 2,3,6,8,9 . Two or more species may be cultured in some individuals 6 and, as with the case described here, bacteria found are commonly those that could feasibly originate from the rectal microbiome, most commonly Escheria coli , Proteus mirabilis and Enterococcus spp 2,7 . Diagnosis usually requires contrast radiography 2,4,6,8,9 but can be challenging and may need to be repeated 3,6 : one case required four urethrocystograms over a period of 8 years before the fistula could be identified 8 .…”

“…Urethrorectal fistulae are rarely reported in veterinary literature, mostly appearing as single case reports in dogs, 1–9 cats 10,11 or horses 12,13 . In dogs, they are often congenital 2–7,9,14 and have not been reported with other congenital abnormalities, so the finding of cryptorchidism in this patient was unusual. Congenital urethrorectal fistula is the result of incomplete separation of the cloaca into urogenital sinus and rectum during embryogenesis, due to incomplete fusion of the urorectal fold or premature rupture of the cloacal membrane 4 .…”

“…Congenital urethrorectal fistula is the result of incomplete separation of the cloaca into urogenital sinus and rectum during embryogenesis, due to incomplete fusion of the urorectal fold or premature rupture of the cloacal membrane 4 . It has been reported in bulldogs, 3,4,7,8 miniature poodles 3,4 and retriever breeds 2,9 . Acquired urethrorectal fistulae are also reported in dogs secondary to urethral trauma, abscessation or obstruction 1,5,14 …”

“…4 It has been reported in bulldogs, 3,4,7,8 miniature poodles 3,4 and retriever breeds. 2,9 Acquired urethrorectal fistulae are also reported in dogs secondary to urethral trauma, abscessation or obstruction. 1,5,14 Clinically, occasionally abberant urination is noticed in the juvenile animal, 4,7 as in this case, but the condition is more often diagnosed by investigation into recurrent or persistent lower urinary tract infections starting at around 6 months of age.…”

“…Urethrorectal fistulae are rarely reported in veterinary literature, mostly appearing as single case reports in dogs, 1–9 cats 10,11 or horses 12,13 . In dogs, they are often congenital 2–7,9,14 and have not been reported with other congenital abnormalities, so the finding of cryptorchidism in this patient was unusual.…”