Radiographic evaluation and management of lower urinary tract disorders in dogs

Abstract

The study was conducted in 15 cases of lower urinary tract disorders in 13 dogs of different breeds, age and either sex presented at the Veterinary College Hospital, Mannuthy and University Veterinary Hospital, Kokkalai.The incidence, clinical signs, radiographic and ultrasonographic observations, haematological and biochemical changes, treatment adopted, and post operative management in surgical treatment were studied. Urolithiasis was the most common disease (53%) among the 15 cases of diseases of the lower urinary tract studied followed by cystitis (33 %), urinary bladder neoplasia (6%) and prostate disease (6%). Dachshund was the most common breed affected with both urolithiasis and cystitis. Middle aged dogs were mostly affected with urolithiasis and cystitis The general conditions of all dogs with urolithiasis were dull and lethargic. Congesion of mucous membrane, Vomiting,haematuria, reduced food intake, dribbling of urine and abdominal distension were the common symptoms exhibited. The cause of urethral obstruction was mostly urolithiasis and the common site of obstruction was the ventral groove of os penis. Survey radiography was highly successful (75%) in detection of most of the calculi. Contrast radiography was useful in the detection of radiolucent calculi, space occupying lesions like blood clot and bladder tumour. Ultrasonography was highly useful tool for confirmatory diagnosis of cystic calculi, cystitis, prostatic abscess and space occupying lesions. In dogs with calculi in bladder or in urethra, cystotomy or urethrotomy or both were conducted. For urethral calculi, prescrotal urethrotomy was performed in five cases. In a case with urethral and cystic calculi, both urethrotomy and cystotomy were performed. Recurrence of the condition was noticed in two dogs, one after 25 days due to the obstruction of urethra at the level of ischial arch and was then subjected to cystotomy after retrohydropropulsion into the bladder. In other dog, recurrence of the calculi was observed after three months and was subjected to urethrotomy then. As per culture and sensitivity test, the major microorganism associated with urolithiasis was Streptococci and with cystitis, it was E.coli. Most sensitive antibiotic was ciprofloxacin in cases of urolithiasis and cystitis. On analysis of uroliths, calcium oxalate was found to be major component followed by uric acid. Calculi contained calcium oxalate, calcium carbonate and uric acid were mostly associated with Streptococcal infection and with calcium phosphate and uric acid the organism isolated was Staphylococci.