Urethrotomy of the glans penis in three male dogs with urolithiasis

Buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty in five male dogs with penile urethral stricture at the bulbus glandis

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the feasibility of correcting penile urethral strictures at the bulbus glandis using buccal mucosal graft (BMG) urethroplasty in dogs.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective clinical trial.

ANIMALS

Five male dogs with urethral strictures located at the bulbus glandis.

METHODS

Urethrotomy was performed throughout the entire length of the urethral stricture including ~0.5 cm healthy urethra proximal and distal. The scarred tissue and unhealthy mucosa of the strictured urethra were completely excised. The graft was harvested from the buccal mucosa and tubularized at the stricture site using a urethral catheter as the skeleton. The catheter was maintained for 14 days after surgery and removed when no urethral leakage was identified on a positive-contrast retrograde urethrogram. The dogs were discharged after spontaneous urination was confirmed. Six months postoperative follow-up was completed for all dogs with repeated positive contrast urethrogram and an owner questionnaire to score urinary function and quality of life.

RESULTS

The five dogs recovered well following surgery and only one dog experienced a minor complication. All dogs were able to urinate normally after catheter removal. No evidence of leakage was identified on a 14 day postoperative retrograde positive contrast urethrogram and clinically at a median follow-up time of 182 days (range, 182-186). All owners scored the urinary function as excellent and ranked their satisfaction very high 6 months after the procedure.

CONCLUSION

Buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty has positive outcomes for dogs with penile urethral strictures.

Male and female anatomical homologies in the perineum of the dog (Canis familiaris)

Understanding the homologies between male and female perineal structure helps both evolutionary biologists and clinicians better understand the evolution and anatomy of canines. Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) play an important role in human society, and canine perineal anatomy is important for maintaining dogs' reproductive health for successful breeding and a wide variety of pathologies. Here, we investigate homologies between male and female perineal structure, identifying structures based on common function, anatomical relationships and attachments. In this investigation we dissected 21 male and female large-breed dogs. We find broad structural homologies between male and female dogs related to erection, micturition and defecation, including muscles, fasciae and erectile tissue. Using these homologies will help anatomists and clinicians interpret the anatomical organization of the perineum, a notoriously difficult area of anatomy.