VAGINOURETHROPLASTY FOR TREATMENT OF URETHRAL OBSTRUCTION IN THE BITCH

Vaginourethroplasty was performed in six bitches with infiltrative, ob structive urethral disease. The initial clinical signs included dysuri a, hematuria, pollakiuria, and stranguria. Diagnosis was based on the clinical signs, plain radiography and contrast vagino-urethrogram exam ination, and urethral biopsy. Five dogs were diagnosed as having ureth ral neoplasia; the sixth dog had granulomatous urethritis. In all six dogs, up to 50% of the urethra and the urethral tubercle were resected to ensure adequate surgical margins. One doe was euthanatized 4 month s after surgery for recurrence of a transitional cell carcinoma at the surgical site. Long-term resolution of the problem (minimum of 12 mon ths) was achieved in the other five dogs. The frequency of serious com plications, including urinary incontinence and ascending lower urinary tract infections, was low. (C) Copyright 1996 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons