Crystal H. Chang, Joonbum Seo, E. Leigh Anne Clark, Bridget R. A. Sylvester, Jill E. Davidson, Melissa A. Hiebert, Jody P. Lulich
Background
Ectopic ureters (EUs) are a congenital cause of urinary incontinence in dogs, typically occurring in females. In males, diagnosis and surgical correction are less frequently reported, and treatment is technically challenging due to anatomical differences. Conventional surgical techniques often require invasive procedures with longer recovery times. This study investigated the feasibility, technique, and outcomes of cystoscopic-guided laser ablation (CLA) for intramural ectopic ureters in male dogs, a procedure previously established in females.
Methods
This retrospective case series evaluated male dogs diagnosed with intramural EUs and treated using CLA at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center between 2013 and 2023. Diagnosis was confirmed via cystourethroscopy, and treatment involved transurethral cystoscopy using a diode or Holmium:YAG laser to incise the ectopic tunnel and restore normal ureteral termination in the trigone. Postoperative outcomes were assessed through owner follow-up and clinical records, including resolution of incontinence and incidence of complications.
Results
Thirteen male dogs were included, with a median age of 0.7 years (range: 0.2–2.0 years). All had intramural ectopic ureters—11 unilateral and 2 bilateral. CLA was successfully performed in all cases without major intraoperative complications. Postoperatively, 9 dogs (69%) achieved complete continence, and 3 dogs (23%) showed partial improvement with adjunctive medical management (e.g., phenylpropanolamine). One dog had persistent incontinence due to concurrent urethral hypoplasia. Mild transient hematuria and dysuria were the most common short-term adverse effects, resolving within days. No dogs required revision surgery or developed ureteral obstruction.
Limitations
Limitations included the small sample size and retrospective nature of the study. Lack of standardized follow-up duration and the potential for selection bias limit generalizability. Additionally, the long-term renal outcomes were not systematically evaluated.
Conclusions
Cystoscopic-guided laser ablation is a feasible, minimally invasive, and effective treatment for intramural ectopic ureters in male dogs, providing high continence rates and low complication risk. These findings suggest that CLA may replace open surgical correction for suitable male patients, expanding minimally invasive therapeutic options in canine urology.
A male dog with bilateral intramural EU. (A)Fluoroscopic contrast image in lateral recumbency showing a dilatedurethra (arrows) before and after the colliculus seminalis (white aster-isk). (B) Cystoscopic visualization of bilateral intramural ectopic ure-ters (black asterisks) with evidence of urethral dilation in this region.Abbreviation: EU, ectopic ureter.
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