Surgical Management of Urethral Plugs in a Male Shih-Tzu Dog

Abstract

A 6-year-old castrated male Shih-Tzu was admitted to the Gyeongsang Animal Medical Center with hematuria and vomiting. Serum chemistry indicated increases in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine values. Radiography showed radiopaque materials attached to the ventralis of the inner bladder wall. Penile urethra also was filled with radiopaque materials. Ultrasonography revealed bilateral perineal effusion in the kidney, thinned bladder wall, and materials with acoustic shadowing at the caudal extremity of the os penis. Because urination was not identified by urinary obstruction, cystocentesis was performed. Hematuria was diagnosed by urinalysis, but clear crystals were not identified. Owing to failure of securing patency to the bladder using retrohydropropulsion, cystotomy and urethrotomy with retrohydropropulsion were performed. In this report, we describe the clinical and radiographic findings of urethral plugs in a male Shih-Tzu dog, wherein the urethral plugs were treated successfully with hydropropulsion, cystotomy, and urethrotomy. It provides an option for the treatment of urethral plugs in a dog.