Resection of urachal anomalies in dogs with recurrent lower urinary tract disease

To determine whether surgical removal of urachal anomalies improves the outcomes of dogs with recurrent lower urinary tract disease (LUTD) and bacterial urinary tract infection (BUTI).

Retrospective study.

Thirty-three dogs with urachal anomalies and recurrent LUTD or BUTI.

Medical records of dogs with LUTD or BUTI and a diagnosis of urachal anomaly treated by partial cystectomy were reviewed. A minimum follow-up of 9 months was required for inclusion.

Median age at onset of clinical signs was 12 months (range, 1 month to 10 years). Urachal anomalies were detected with histopathology in 20 of 28 (71%) dogs. At a median follow-up of 22 months (range, 9-114), 21 of 28 (64%) dogs were free of signs of LUTD. Nine (27%) dogs exhibited reduced signs of LUTD; in three (9%) dogs, no clinical improvement was observed. Among the 25 dogs with confirmed preoperative BUTI, 22 clinically improved with surgery.

Partial cystectomy reduced the long-term severity of clinical signs and risk of recurrence of LUTD or BUTI in dogs with confirmed or suspected urachal anomalies.

Partial cystectomy should be considered as an adjunct to the treatment of LUTD and BUTI in dogs.