Idiopathic functional urinary outflow tract obstruction in dogs, a retrospective case series (2010-2021): 31 cases.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic functional urinary outflow tract obstruction (iFUOTO) is an uncommon but life-limiting disease whose etiology and clinical course of disease remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: Characterize signalment, clinical signs, clinicopathologic findings, treatments, and propose a standardized response score for dogs with iFUOTO. ANIMALS: Thirty-one client-owned dogs diagnosed with iFUOTO. METHODS: Retrospective case series. Medical records from 2010 to 2021 were reviewed and findings recorded. Dogs were categorized based on the presence or absence of overt signs of neurological disease. Response to treatment was scored. RESULTS: Thirty-one dogs were included. All dogs had stranguria and 14 (45%) had overflow urinary incontinence. Mean age of onset for signs was 6.9 years±8 months. Twenty-four dogs (77%) were castrated males, 5 (16%) intact males, and 2 (6%) spayed females. Eight (26%) of dogs had overt neurological deficits. Follow-up data were available for 29 dogs (median 38 days, range: 2-1277). Final outcome scores were not significantly different among dogs with overt signs of neurological disease (median score 2.5; range: 0-3) and those without (median score 1; range; 0-3; P = .35). Treatments included alpha antagonists, skeletal muscle relaxants, parasympathomimetics, anti-inflammatories, castration, temporary placement of a urethral catheter, or a combination of these. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Multimodal treatment was frequently prescribed, but a standard outcome score is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of these therapies. Serial neurological examinations and monitoring of the dogs' dysuria are warranted.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Uterine Stump Size in Ovariohysterectomized Dogs Receiving Estriol Compared to Control Dogs.

In ovariohysterectomized dogs, the uterine stump rarely causes clinical disease. However, changes could occur in this anatomic structure due to exposure to estrogen therapy. Ultrasonographic examination of the uterine stump has not been reported in dogs receiving estriol and normal dimensions for this area have not been reported for ovariohysterectomized dogs. Therefore, the aims of this study were to retrospectively evaluate records and ultrasound images from dogs receiving and not receiving (controls) estriol as well as defining a standard method to measure the uterine stump. Clinical features of dogs administered estriol were also reported. Fourteen dogs receiving estriol and 14 control dogs were included in the study. Seven dogs receiving estriol had changes associated with the external vulva, 5 were noted to be "hooded" and 3 were "prominent/swollen." Ultrasonographic transverse maximum uterine stump measurements were available for 4 dogs receiving estriol (median 0.81 cm, range 0.53-1.4). The maximum uterine height/aorta ratio was available for only 2 dogs receiving estriol (0.9 and 0.6). The median transverse maximum height of the uterine stump noted in the control group was 0.43 cm (range 0.28-0.52 cm); The maximal uterine height/aorta ratio was a median of 0.48 in the control group (range 0.32-1.1). Normal values for the uterine stump measurements can be standardized to the distal aorta for consistency. Vulvar enlargement was the most common physical examination change in our dogs receiving estriol. Routine screening, including ultrasonography is not usually indicated for dogs receiving estriol, but can be tailored to the individual patient.