Retrospective evaluation of cystoscopic‐guided laser ablation of intramural ectopic ureters in female dogs

BACKGROUND: Cytoscopic‐guided laser ablation (CLA) is a technique that can be used to correct intramural ectopic ureters (EUs) in dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To describe clinicopathologic, imaging, and cystoscopic findings in dogs undergoing CLA for intramural EU correction, and whether any of these findings are associated with continence outcomes. ANIMALS: Thirty‐one client‐owned dogs undergoing CLA between 2009 and 2019. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Data collected from medical records included signalment, clinical findings (including continence score at presentation), clinicopathologic findings (serum biochemistry profile, urinalysis, and urine culture results before CLA), ultrasonography, and cystoscopy findings. Follow‐up information was collected at 1 day to 1 week, 1 week to 1 month, and at >1 month time points after CLA. Final continence score was determined based on this follow‐up information. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine factors that were associated with final continence score. RESULTS: Median continence score of dogs at initial evaluation was 2 (range, 2‐4). Median continence score after CLA alone was 3 (range, 1‐5). Seventeen of 31 (54.8%) dogs received adjunctive medical management after CLA. Median continence score after CLA with or without adjunctive medical management was 5 (range, 1‐5). Overall, 67.7% of dogs were considered continent after CLA with or without adjunctive medical management. No preoperative or perioperative factors were found to be associated with final continence score. CONCLUSIONS: Cystoscopic‐guided laser ablation for intramural EU in female dogs provides improvement in incontinence. Dogs remaining incontinent after CLA may improve with adjunctive medical management. Surgical management is required to manage incontinence in dogs with extramural EU.