Cystoscopic Abnormalities in Dogs Presented for Episioplasty

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Canine Urology

Background:

• Recessed vulva is a common canine conformational abnormality.
• It often leads to recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• Episioplasty is a surgical option when medical management fails.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and types of urogenital abnormalities in dogs undergoing episioplasty.
• To evaluate the utility of cystoscopy in diagnosing these abnormalities.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 29 dogs that underwent episioplasty.
• Concurrent or prior cystoscopy records were analyzed.
• Urogenital abnormalities identified during cystoscopy or vaginal examination were documented.

Main Results:

• 11 of 29 dogs (38%) had urogenital abnormalities diagnosed via cystoscopy.
• One additional dog had an abnormality found during vaginal exam.
• Ten dogs received corrective procedures, 8 with cystoscopic assistance.

Conclusions:

• Cystoscopy is valuable for diagnosing urogenital abnormalities in dogs with recessed vulvas.
• It aids in direct visualization, sampling, and surgical correction.
• Cystoscopy should be a routine part of evaluating dogs for episioplasty.