Resection of urachal anomalies in dogs with recurrent lower urinary tract disease

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether surgical removal of urachal anomalies improves the outcomes of dogs with recurrent lower urinary tract disease (LUTD) and bacterial urinary tract infection (BUTI). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Thirty-three dogs with urachal anomalies and recurrent LUTD or BUTI. METHODS: Medical records of dogs with LUTD or BUTI and a diagnosis of urachal anomaly treated by partial cystectomy were reviewed. A minimum follow-up of 9 months was required for inclusion. RESULTS: Median age at onset of clinical signs was 12 months (range, 1 month to 10 years). Urachal anomalies were detected with histopathology in 20 of 28 (71%) dogs. At a median follow-up of 22 months (range, 9-114), 21 of 28 (64%) dogs were free of signs of LUTD. Nine (27%) dogs exhibited reduced signs of LUTD; in three (9%) dogs, no clinical improvement was observed. Among the 25 dogs with confirmed preoperative BUTI, 22 clinically improved with surgery. CONCLUSION: Partial cystectomy reduced the long-term severity of clinical signs and risk of recurrence of LUTD or BUTI in dogs with confirmed or suspected urachal anomalies. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Partial cystectomy should be considered as an adjunct to the treatment of LUTD and BUTI in dogs