Urethral Plugs in Dogs. (13th February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stiller, A.T.; Lulich, J.P.; Furrow, E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of veterinary internal medicine. Volume 28:Number 2(2014:Mar./Apr.)
• Page Start: 324
• Page End: 330
• Publication Date: 2014-02-13
• Subjects: Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; 636.0896
• DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12315
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0891-6640

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jvim12315-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jvim12315-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Crystalline‐matrix urethral plugs have not been previously reported in dogs.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12315-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Hypothesis/Objectives</title> <p>To report the composition of urethral plugs in dogs, describe clinical features of the disease, and identify overrepresented breeds.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12315-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Retrospective case series. A Minnesota Urolith Center (MUC) record search was performed for urethral plugs in dogs submitted during a 6‐year period. The composition of the plugs and signalment of affected dogs were recorded. Breed risk analysis was performed using a control group without plugs from the Veterinary Medical Center, University of Minnesota (VMC UMN). Breed risk was also calculated for a group of dogs with struvite (plugs and uroliths). Medical records for the subset of plug cases from the VMC UMN were reviewed and described.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12315-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Between 2006 and 2011, 42 urethral plugs from dogs were submitted to the MUC. All came from male dogs, and the mineral component of the majority (83%) was struvite. Thirty (71%) samples were from Pugs. Pugs were overrepresented in plug submissions (OR 179; CI 88–389; <italic>P</italic> < .001), and for struvite in general (OR 14.3; CI 7.9–24.4; <italic>P</italic> < .001). Nine of the dogs were treated at VMC UMN; all were castrated male Pugs. None of these cases had bacteriuria or positive urine cultures, and no underlying cause of plug formation was identified.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12315-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions and Clinical Importance</title> <p>When evaluating dogs with urethral obstruction, plugs need to be considered, especially in male Pugs. Further investigation into the underlying cause of plug formation in dogs is warranted.</p> </sec> </abstract>