Total cystectomy for treatment of transitional cell carcinoma of the urethra and bladder trigone in a dog.

OBJECTIVE

To report total cystectomy with reimplantation of the ureters in the proximal aspect of the vagina.

STUDY

DESIGN

Case report.

ANIMALS: An 11-year-old female spayed Vizsla with spontaneously occurring transitional cell carcinoma of the urethra and bladder.

METHODS

After initial treatment for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder trigone with urethral stent placement and chemotherapy, the dog developed urinary incontinence 2 months after stent placement. Eleven months after initial diagnosis, the dog developed pulmonary metastasis and local progression, leading to bilateral ureteral dilatation. After palliative radiation, total cystectomy was performed.

RESULTS

The owners elected euthanasia 442 days after original presentation and 92 days after total cystectomy. Euthanasia was unrelated to the surgical procedure, but was related to the primary disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Total cystectomy is a technically feasible procedure that should be considered for the treatment of bladder cancer in dogs.