Ectopic ureter in a dog: extension from the kidney to the urinary bladder and to the urethra

An ectopic ureter extending to the urinary bladder and to the proximal portion of the urethra was diagnosed in a 6-month-old dog with urinary incontinence. The diagnosis was made by use of excretory urography. The kidney and ureter were removed. When urinary incontinence continued, positive-contrast cystography was performed. The ectopic ureter was found to bypass the bladder via a submucosal extension that emptied into the urethra.     

Ectopic ureterocele in a cat

A 9-month-old, castrated male domestic shorthair cat with urinary incontinence was referred for surgical correction of an ectopic ureter. Excretory urography revealed hydronephrosis of the right kidney, right hydroureter, and ureterocele. A partial ureterocelectomy and neoureterocystostomy were performed. This report describes the surgical modification of the ureterocele and ectopic ureter to correct ipsilateral hydronephrosis, hydroureter, and urinary incontinence.     

The use of computed tomography in the diagnosis of an ectopic ureter in a Quarter Horse filly

This report describes a 4‐month‐old Quarter Horse filly with an ectopic ureter. The filly presented with signs of urinary incontinence, which had been present since birth. Computed tomography (CT) examination and cystoscopy confirmed a diagnosis of a unilateral ectopic ureter. A nephrectomy of the left kidney was performed and renal function was closely monitored post operatively. The filly was treated for abdominal chylous effusion as a post operative complication. The filly survived to discharge from the hospital, and maintained normal urinary function at 12 months post operatively.     

Extramural Ectopic Ureter in a Domestic Ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

Ectopic ureter is the most common cause of congenital urinary incontinence in the dog and cat. The occurrence of ectopic ureter in the dog has been estimated to be 0.016%. A 6-month-old ferret was evaluated for urinary incontinence and urine scalding around the perineal and inguinal areas. Ultrasonography showed a nondistended urinary bladder that contained a possible intraluminal blood clot. Excretory urography revealed a left ectopic ureter. The ferret was initially treated with oral amoxicillin-clavulanate and topical silver sulfadiazine ointment for the perineal and inguinal dermatitis associated with the incontinence. Because of the potential for complications and additional surgery with ureteral transplantation, a left nephroureterectomy was performed. Surgical recovery was uneventful and the incontinence improved, although a small amount of incontinence-associated dermatitis was still present 24 days after discharge. Phenylpropanolamine therapy was initiated to address a suspected dysfunction of the urethral sphincter. Urinary incontinence improved with the phenylpropanolamine therapy; however, a small amount of incontinence persisted throughout the 3 months in which the ferret was evaluated. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of an ectopic ureter in a domestic ferret.     

Urinary incontinence due to ectopic ureter in a male dog.

Urinary incontinence was associated with an ectopic ureter in a 5-month-old, male Wire Fox Terrier. The dog regained urinary continence after transplantation of the ureter from the urethra into the urinary bladder. Of the 3 reported cases of extopic ureters in male dogs, 2 have been associated with urinary incontinence. These observations do not support the hypothesis that ectopic ureters are more frequently recognized in female than in male dogs because urinary incontinence is more commonly associated with the disorder in female dogs.     

Delayed-onset urinary incontinence in five female dogs with ectopic ureters

This case series describes five female dogs with congenital ectopic ureter presenting with delayed-onset urinary incontinence out of 22 female dogs diagnosed with ectopic ureter over a 102-month period at a veterinary teaching hospital. All five dogs improved following surgical treatment of ectopic ureter, but only three remained continent long-term without further intervention. Delayed-onset urinary incontinence in female dogs with ectopic ureters may be more common than the current literature suggests. Congenital ectopic ureter should be considered and investigated as a possible contributing factor in female dogs presenting with delayed-onset urinary incontinence.     

Urinary incontinence in a dog with an ectopic ureterocele.

A 7-month-old, female English cocker spaniel was examined because of a complaint of urinary incontinence. Excretory urography revealed a small right kidney and right-sided hydroureter, ectopic ureter, and ureterocele. Ureteronephrectomy and ovariohysterectomy were performed, but the distal ureter and ureterocele were left in situ. Recurrent urinary tract infections and intermittent urinary incontinence persisted after surgery. Vaginourethrography demonstrated the presence of a urethral diverticulum associated with the ureterocele. Ureterocelectomy was performed, and the dog remains continent 4 years after ureterocelectomy. Persistent urinary incontinence and urinary tract infection were attributed to failure to resect the ureterocele.     

Bilateral ectopic ureters in a male dog with unilateral renal agenesis

A 1-year-old neutered male mixed-breed dog was evaluated because of signs of urinary incontinence. Retrograde positive contrast urethrocystography and excretory urography with pneumocystography revealed bilateral intramural ectopic ureters and absence of the right kidney. During abdominal exploratory surgery, only the left kidney was located. The left intramural ectopic ureter was repaired by neoureterostomy (creation of a new opening for the ureter to enable urine to empty into the bladder). The right ectopic ureter was ligated at its entrance into the urinary bladder serosa. Results of excretory urography (performed immediately after surgery and repeated 8 weeks later) revealed successful correction of the left intramural ectopic ureter. Twelve weeks after surgery, the dog remained continent. To the authors' knowledge, there are few reports of ectopic ureters in male dogs; furthermore, the urinary tract abnormalities detected concurrently in this dog are also unusual.     

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of unilateral ectopic ureter in a Labrador dog

A 3-month-old, Labrador bitch presented with urinary incontinence. A unilateral, ectopic ureter was diagnosed with ultrasound without the aid of additional contrast radiographic techniques. Ipsilateral hydroureter and mild hydronephrosis were also present. At the level of the bladder trigone the ectopic ureter became intramural and this was clearly demonstrable with ultrasound. The opening of the ectopic ureter into the proximal urethra was, however, not visualised owing to its intrapelvic location.     

Four cases of lowered urethral pressure in canine ectopic ureter

To evaluate the function of the constrictor urethrae of dogs that had urinary incontinence and were diagnosed as having ectopic ureter, the urethral pressure profile (UPP) was measured by means of a microchip catheter transducer. The UPPs (14.5 +/- 3.3 mmHg) of the four dogs suffering from ectopic ureter were much lower (p<0.001) than the UPPs of clinically healthy female dogs (35.3 +/- 5.7 mmHg). In the cases of ectopic ureter, it was shown that the UPP was lowered, and it was suggested that this would lead to the expression of urinary incontinence.     

Ectopic ureter in a male cat

A male cat with persistent urinary incontinence is described. Definitive diagnosis of unilateral ectopic ureter was obtained by intravenous urography, after which surgical re-implantation of the ureter into the bladder was performed. The literature on ureteral ectopia in cats is discussed.     

Ectopic ureter in a male cat

A male cat with persistent urinary incontinence is described. Definitive diagnosis of unilateral ectopic ureter was obtained by intravenous urography, after which surgical re-implantation of the ureter into the bladder was performed. The literature on ureteral ectopia in cats is discussed.     

Unilateral renal agenesis associated with additional congenital abnormalities of the urinary tract in a Pekingese bitch

An eight-month-old Pekingese bitch with urinary incontinence was found to have three congenital anomalies of the urinary tract: left renal agenesis, bilateral ectopic ureters with a left cranial blind-ending ureter, and urinary bladder hypoplasia. The diagnoses were made by retrograde vaginourethrography, excretory urography, ultrasonography and duplex Doppler ultrasonography. Although urological anomalies associated with renal agenesis have been frequently observed, a cranial blind-end ectopic ureter has not, to the authors' knowledge, been described in the bitch. The dog was managed medically with a restricted protein diet because of a compromised unilateral kidney with hydronephrosis and hydroureter.     

Unilateral Nephrectomy in a Juvenile Llama

Objective —The purpose of this study was to decribe the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and surgical management of a llama with an ectopic ureter.
Animals or Sample Population —Nine-month-old female llama.
Results —The diagnostic evaluation included the use of computed tomography and an excretory ureterogram to confirm and identify the location of the ectopic ureter. Surgical management involved a unilateral nephrectomy.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance —Computed tomography is a valuable asset to diagnose the presence and terminal location of an ectopic ureter in llamas, and nephrectomy appears to be a viable procedure to resolve the subsequent urinary incontinence.     

Ectopic ureter in the horse: Three cases and a review of the literature

Ureterovesicular anastomosis resulted in resolution of the clinical signs of urinary incontinence in three horses with unilateral ectopic ureter. Follow-up of two of the horses ten months and three years later indicated no further urinary tract problems; the third horse died four days after surgery from intestinal infarction.

Diagnosis can be readily confirmed by antegrade or retrograde ureterography, or endoscopic visualization of the ectopic ureteral openings. Nephrectomy appears indicated in cases of unilateral ectopic ureter with associated ipsilateral urinary tract infection or hydronephrosis, providing the contralateral kidney has normal function. Ureterovesicular anastomosis appears to be indicated in the management of unilateral ectopic ureters in the absence of ascending urinary tract infection or hydronephrosis, and in cases of bilateral ectopic ureters.

     

EXCRETORY UROGRAPHY AND ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF BILATERAL ECTOPIC URETERS IN A FOAL

A 7-week-old Appaloosa filly was admitted for persistent urinary incontinence since birth. Vaginal speculum examination revealed urine flowing from an opening in the right vaginal wall. Cystoscopy demonstrated that the ureters did not terminate at the bladder. The endoscope passed easily from the vagina directly into a dilated right ureter. An excretory urogram confirmed the vaginal termination of at least one ureter, based upon extensive filling of the vagina with contrast media in the absence of bladder filling. Bilateral hydroureter and dilated renal pelves were demonstrated both by excretory urography and by ultrasonography. Euthanasia was requested by the owner in lieu of attempted surgical correction. At necropsy, it was confirmed that the right ureter entered the vagina and the left ureter terminated at the urethra. The diagnosis of bilateral ectopic ureter in this foal was suggested by the history and clinical signs, supported by endoscopy and ultrasonography, and confirmed by excretory urography and necropsy. This case establishes the value of diagnostic imaging techniques in the antemortem diagnosis of ectopic ureter.     

Congenital ectopic ureters in a continent male dog and cat

A male dog and cat were evaluated because of clinical signs associated with hydronephrosis. Both animals had ectopic ureters, but neither had urinary incontinence. The diagnoses were made by use of ultrasonography, excretory urography, retrograde urethrocystography, and surgery. In both animals, hydronephrosis was bilateral but of unequal severity, such that unilateral ureteronephrectomy could be performed. Both animals underwent ureteroneocystostomy of the remaining ureter. This treatment resulted in good clinical outcome during follow-up periods of 18 months and 3 years.     

Endoscopic diagnosis of unilateral ectopic ureter in a yearling filly

Unilateral ectopic ureter was diagnosed by endoscopic examination in an 18-month-old filly examined because of chronic urine dribbling. Intramuscular administration of azosulfamide discolored the urine and enhanced visualization of the ectopic ureter. Endoscopy proved valuable in determining that only one ureter entered the urinary bladder and in locating the ectopic ureter in the ventral portion of the vagina.     

Multiple congenital urogenital abnormalities in a Tennessee Walking Horse colt

A 9-month-old, Tennessee Walking Horse colt was examined for urinary incontinence. Cystoscopy revealed a single identifiable ureter that appeared abnormal, and sabulous urolithiasis. Only the left kidney, which appeared lobulated and hydronephrotic, could be located using ultrasound. Results of serum chemistries were consistent with renal failure. Necropsy revealed unilateral agenesis of the right kidney and ureter with severe left ureterolithiasis, bilateral cryptorchidism and segmental aplasia of the ductus deferens. Histopathological examination revealed cystitis and diffuse interstitial fibrosis of the left kidney. Congenital malformations should be included as differential diagnoses for urinary incontinence and urogenital disease. Ultrasonography and cystoscopy can be useful to diagnose suspected agenesis of the urinary system in adult horses.