An ectopic ureter is a congenital malformation in which the ureter does not empty into the bladder as it should, but instead empties into another location, such as the bladder neck, the urethra, the vagina, or the uterus. Affected dogs cannot voluntarily control urination and experience continuous dribbling.
Ectopic ureters often enter the bladder wall at a physiological (i.e., normal) location, but do not open there; instead, they run through the organ’s muscle tissue to an opening at an abnormal site. In most cases, their opening is larger than in a healthy dog. However, narrowing can also occur, which then leads to urine retention.
Ectopic ureters occur predominantly in large female dogs. They are often accompanied by other malformations of the urinary tract. In the majority of female dogs, there is also weakness of the bladder sphincter, allowing bacteria to enter the bladder from the outside and leading to urinary tract infections.
Depending on where the ureter inserts, patients may experience constant urinary dribbling without control over urination, or even just occasional dribbling while retaining control over urination. The further back the ureter ends in the urinary tract, the more pronounced the urinary incontinence is. If ascending bacteria additionally cause cystitis (bladder infection; see related article), this leads to difficult and/or painful urination.
Urinary incontinence can have various other causes, such as a lack of house-training, marking behavior, or polyuria (abnormally increased urine output) resulting from an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes mellitus (see related article).
Based on your report of urinary incontinence and a general examination, your veterinarian will perform an ultrasound if an ectopic ureter is suspected. This often allows them to make a diagnosis right away. In cases of doubt, a cystoscopy—an endoscopic examination (see related article) of the urinary tract—or an excretory urogram, preferably via CT (see related article), will be performed. For the excretory urogram, your veterinarian will administer a contrast agent into a vein. This is excreted via the kidneys, making the urinary tract visible on on X-ray images and CT-scans. X-rays without contrast agents are usually not conclusive.
Treatment is usually surgical. Any existing urinary tract infections must be treated beforehand. It is important to assess any additional malformations or dysfunction of the urinary tract before surgery. These must be treated either in addition to or instead of the main procedure.
There are various surgical methods for correcting ectopic ureters. In the hands of experienced surgeons, ureteral reimplantation—in which the ureter is repositioned to its correct location at the bladder—is the most promising procedure. Following this, 40 to 75 percent of dogs can voluntarily control their urination. In half of the dogs that remain incontinent, urinary continence can be achieved with medication. However, some of the dogs that undergo surgery develop urinary retention extending into the kidney. This then constitutes a medical emergency.
In minimally invasive laser ablation performed via endoscopy, tissue is removed using a laser inserted through the urethra, thereby creating an opening from the ureter—which runs within the bladder muscle—into the bladder. This procedure has the advantage that diagnosis and treatment occur simultaneously, and if the procedure goes well, no hospitalization or only a very short hospital stay is required. In addition, any other existing abnormalities in the lower urinary tract can be diagnosed and treated at the same time. However, endoscopic laser ablation has a lower success rate in female dogs than conventional surgical correction.
In female dogs, the success of the surgery depends on the presence and severity of sphincter weakness. In general, endoscopic laser ablation is less effective than surgical correction. In male dogs, the prognosis is good for both methods.
If cystitis has already progressed to severe pyelonephritis (i.e., purulent inflammation of the renal pelvis; see the relevant article), the prognosis worsens before surgery can even be performed.
Since an ectopic ureter is a congenital malformation, there is no specific preventive care. If you notice your young dog dripping urine, take him to your veterinarian for an examination as soon as possible. The earlier an ectopic ureter is diagnosed and treated surgically, the lower the risk of serious complications such as pyelonephritis developing.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of heart rhythm disorder. It occurs when uncontrolled electrical impulses are generated in the atria. The atria no longer contract rhythmically, the heart rate increases, and a condition known as fibrillation develops.
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the most common heart diseases in dogs. It involves dilation (enlargement) of the left ventricle or both ventricles, along with a reduction in the heart muscle’s ability to contract.
Zoonoses are infectious diseases that can be transmitted naturally from animals to humans. They pose a health risk, especially for children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. However, zoonoses can be transmitted not only from animals to humans, but also vice versa, from humans to animals.
Pet insurance policies vary significantly in terms of coverage, cost, and target audience. Depending on the type of animal, its health, and your budget, simple surgical insurance or comprehensive full coverage may be appropriate. In this second part of our three-part article series "Pet Insurance," you will get an overview of the most important types of insurance and their differences in coverage.
Imagine your dog limping after a walk and your vet uttering the word that makes every pet owner cringe: surgery. Or your cat stops eating and needs an X-ray or blood test, maybe even a stay in the hospital. In moments like these, you want only one thing: to help—immediately and in the best way possible. What you don't want to do is calculate on your calculator whether you can afford it. This is exactly where pet health insurance makes all the difference. It takes away your fear of the bill so you can focus on what matters: your pet. In this first part of our three-part article series "Pet Insurance," we'll show you why insurance is worthwhile for your pet.
In this third part of our three-part article series "Pet Health Insurance," we show you what to look for when choosing pet health insurance—from the scope of coverage and reimbursement rates to additional benefits and service quality. This will help you find a plan that suits you and your pet.
Pyelonephritis (inflammation of the renal pelvis) is a bacterial infection of the renal pelvis that involves the kidney tissue. It is usually caused by bacteria that travel up through the urinary tract into the kidney. For this reason, it is usually accompanied by inflammation of the ureter and the bladder. In rare cases, pathogens reach the kidneys via the lymphatic system or the bloodstream, leading to what is known as excretory nephritis.
Diabetes insipidus is a hormonal disorder in which the kidneys excrete excessive amounts of water. This results in the production of large volumes of very watery urine, often several liters a day. The loss of water causes intense thirst, leading affected animals to drink extremely large amounts of water.
UV radiation in Central Europe has increased unexpectedly sharply in recent decades. This is primarily due to climate change and changes in cloud cover. Sunburn is a serious issue—and not just for us humans. UV radiation also causes skin damage in animals.
Infection with Angiostrongylus vasorum was first described in the 19th century in southern France, which is where the name “French heartworm” comes from. It commonly affects foxes and, less frequently, dogs, and is transmitted through the ingestion of snails. In Germany, French heartworm has only recently come under increased scrutiny, as the consequences of infection can be severe.
