Urinary Incontinence in 6 week old Retriever pup - when to image?

RE: Urinary Incontinence in 6 week old Retriever pup - when to image?

Craig Reilly — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 14:47:52 GMT

Thank you!!

RE: Urinary Incontinence in 6 week old Retriever pup - when to image?

Mayank Seth — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 12:26:18 GMT

I don't have much new to say, but I agree with some of the above comments. I would get on with this sooner rather than later if you have the choice - there is likely ectopia +/- a paramesonephric remnant and leaving it will jsut prolong incontinence, risk infections, pyoderma etc for no benefit. The preferred method for diagnosis and concurrent treatment would be scope with laser if that is available and I have done that in bitches from 4kg upwards. I have no idea about the logistics of referral in Ireland but I would be amazed if Dublin did not have this available and places in NI may well do as well.

Of course, if that is not practical then it won't be the end of the world to wait - most dogs I treat are 4 months or older, but if I see them sooner, I would crack on!

RE: Urinary Incontinence in 6 week old Retriever pup - when to image?

Rob Loxley — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 18:30:04 GMT

[quote userid="2346" url="~/f/clinical-questions/30859/urinary-incontinence-in-6-week-old-retriever-pup---when-to-image/243271#243271"]sadly im not at all sure we have access to that tech this side of Irish Sea[/quote]

Do NI Vet Specialists offer this?

RE: Urinary Incontinence in 6 week old Retriever pup - when to image?

Craig Reilly — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 17:52:02 GMT

They have decided to keep this one. So the choice to intervene now or later is based on whether a better outcome might be achieved with earlier intervention. I suspect if laser intramural wall could be done early then less damage would develop- sadly im not at all sure we have access to that tech this side of Irish Sea?

RE: Urinary Incontinence in 6 week old Retriever pup - when to image?

Craig Reilly — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 17:50:05 GMT

Lol. The NHS doesn’t move speedily - esp here in NI!!

RE: Urinary Incontinence in 6 week old Retriever pup - when to image?

Craig Reilly — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 17:49:27 GMT

Thanks David. My concern is that Ive very frequently diagnosed them later on and there’s often pretty dramatic hydronephrosis and hydroureter which I’m sure would have been avoided if correction had been earlier. It’s interesting to read the range of answers - probably no one right approach as is often the case lol!

RE: Urinary Incontinence in 6 week old Retriever pup - when to image?

Dinu Catilina — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 14:48:38 GMT

[quote userid="8991" url="~/f/clinical-questions/30859/urinary-incontinence-in-6-week-old-retriever-pup---when-to-image/243257#243257"]Also ask what are you going to do if ectopic ureter at this age anyway?[/quote]

If it's intramural then it can be easily corrected with a diode laser.

RE: Urinary Incontinence in 6 week old Retriever pup - when to image?

Dinu Catilina — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 14:47:25 GMT

Not uncommon to see ectopic ureters and paramesonephric remnants in this breed and it has a genetic component, it can be more prevalent in some lines than others. I would do a vagino-urethroscopy, it is easier, quicker and cheaper than a CT or other forms of imaging. I would scope now, they need to know before they sell the puppy.

RE: Urinary Incontinence in 6 week old Retriever pup - when to image?

janine redman — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 12:16:54 GMT

Ectopic ureters occur not infrequently in this breed and I have a breeder who has a puppy every few litters so I suspect there is a genetic predisposition within the breed . Could you ask the owner to ask the breeder if there is any history of such with her lineage

RE: Urinary Incontinence in 6 week old Retriever pup - when to image?

Neil Wheadon — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 00:06:34 GMT

[quote userid="8991" url="~/f/clinical-questions/30859/urinary-incontinence-in-6-week-old-retriever-pup---when-to-image/243257#243257"]Wait and see otherwise - still very young so may improve and not life threatening issue. Also ask what are you going to do if ectopic ureter at this age anyway?[/quote]

I'd agree with David, wait, there is no hurry is there and operating on a very small puppy would be, well ....somewhat challenging.

Would an ultrasound show everything? the pelvis wouldn't allow a full assessment?

Contrast radiography would be fun and I would have thought the best way?

I'd wait, I'm sure a GP would understand that, after all my 83 year old mother desperately needs a hip replacement. Living on her own on a small farm in Cornwall, I caught her cutting the hedge with a chainsaw one handed, balancing on a crutch with her other arm. She's only been waiting 9 months......

Neil

RE: Urinary Incontinence in 6 week old Retriever pup - when to image?

David Mills — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 19:08:32 GMT

Careful hx to ensure true incontinence.

Wait and see otherwise - still very young so may improve and not life threatening issue. Also ask what are you going to do if ectopic ureter at this age anyway?