title: Vestibulovaginal stenosis in dogs: 18 cases (1987-1995).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate vestibulovaginal stenosis in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  18 dogs with vestibulovaginal stenosis diagnosed between January 1987 and June 1995.
  
  
  METHODS
  Signalment, results of physical examination, and diagnostic testing, treatment, and outcome were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age at initial examination was 4.6 years. Problems reported by the owners included signs of chronic urinary tract infection (6 dogs), urinary incontinence (4), failure to mate (4), signs of chronic vaginitis (2), and inappropriate urination (1). One dog did not have evidence of a clinical problem. Vestibulovaginal stenosis was detected by means of digital vaginal examination (18/18 dogs), vaginoscopy (17/17 dogs), and positive-contrast vaginography (9/10 dogs). Bacteria were isolated from the urine of 11 of 15 dogs. Twelve of 18 dogs were treated. Manual dilation (4 dogs) and T-shaped vaginoplasty (4) were less successful than vaginectomy (2) or resection of the stenotic area (3). Four of 6 dogs with signs of recurrent urinary tract infection underwent surgical correction, and none of these dogs subsequently had urinary tract infection. Three of 4 dogs with urinary incontinence responded to medical or surgical treatment for sphincter incompetence or for ectopic ureters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical correction of vestibulovaginal stenosis is indicated in dogs that have mating difficulties or signs of recurrent urinary tract infection or chronic vaginitis, but stenosis is probably an incidental finding in most dogs with urinary incontinence. Vaginectomy and vaginal resection and anastomosis are the preferred surgical options.
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animal and Special Species Medicine, College of Veterinary, Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606, USA.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Kyles
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vaden
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Hardie
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Stone
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014621:Vagina / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*