Detection of vesicoureteral reflux in healthy puppies

Abstract

Summary: The aim of this study was to determine vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in puppies by comparing the administrations of “normal urination pressure” and “30 cm water pressure”. 2.5-3-month-old 50 mixed breed puppies were used in this study. Having drained the urine with catheterization and compression in all puppies, bladders were filled with 30-50 ml contrast medium through catheter and then the puppies were released for voluntarily urination. Abdominal radiographs were taken just after the urination and existence of VUR was determined. Three days later in the same puppies, bladders were filled with contrast medium by holding the bottle of contrast medium 30 cm above the level of pubic pelvis which means 30 cm water pressure was performed in bladder and existence of VUR was determined after having retrograde urethrocystographies. According to retrograde urethrocystographic findings, bilateral VUR was determined in 32 (64 %) puppies by the technique of “normal urination” and in 34 (68 %) puppies (the same 32 puppies and 2 additional ones) by the technique of “water pressure”, additionally unilateral VUR was diagnosed in 3 (6 %) puppies (in puppies that were not detected bilateral VUR) by both techniques. Rectal temperature in the puppies with VUR was 38.43 ± 0.17 o C, rectal temperature in the puppies without VUR was 38.26 ± 0.19 o C. In conclusion, incidence of bilateral VUR was found in 64-68 % and unilateral VUR was in 6 % of the dogs and female puppies were more susceptible than male ones.