Prevalence and radiologic and histologic appearance of vesicourachal diverticula in dogs without clinical signs of urinary tract disease.
OBJECTIVE
To determine prevalence and radiologic and histologic appearance of vesicourachal diverticula in dogs without clinical signs of urinary tract disease.


METHODS
Original study.


METHODS
50 dogs between 4 months and 17 years old representing 22 breeds that had been euthanatized for unrelated reasons; none of the dogs had a history or clinical signs of urinary tract disease.


METHODS
Retrograde positive-contrast radiography was performed, and radiographs were examined for macroscopic diverticula. Necropsy specimens from the urinary bladder vertex were examined by means of light microscopy for diverticula and signs of inflammation.


RESULTS
17 of the 50 (34%) dogs had vesicourachal diverticula, and 1 additional dog had a urachal cyst. Fifteen of the 17 diverticula were macroscopic; surface area of the diverticulum could be measured radiographically in 13 of these dogs and ranged from 1 to 90 mm2. The remaining 2 diverticula were microscopic. Sixteen diverticula were intramural and 1 was extramural. Light microscopic signs of bladder wall inflammation could be detected in 5 dogs, 4 of which had macroscopic diverticula.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that a high percentage of dogs without clinical signs of urinary tract disease may have vesicourachal [corrected] diverticula. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical relevance of vesicourethral diverticula in dogs.
Groesslinger
Karin
K
Department of Surgery and Ophthalmology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Veterinarplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
Tham
Tanja
T
Egerbacher
Monika
M
Lorinson
Dragan
D
D000818:Animals; D004240:Diverticulum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011859:Radiography; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D001745:Urinary Bladder Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*