Dourdas G. DVM, CSAVP/Soft Tissue Surgery, Plakentia Veterinary Clinic | Svoronou M. DVM, MSc, Plakentia Veterinary Clinic
Introduction
Ureteral stents are used in veterinary patients to divert urine from the renal pelvis into the urinary bladder, thereby bypassing ureteral obstruction secondary to ureterolithiasis, malignant obstructive neoplasia, trauma, or ureteral stenosis/strictures. This study presents the ureteral stent placement via open surgical technique in 2 dogs with ureterolithiasis due to chronic administration of allopurinol.
Clinical cases
A 6-year-old mixed breed dog (A) was presented with vomiting and anorexia. Laboratory tests revealed mild anemia and elevated creatinine and BUN levels. Ultrasonography demonstrated lithiasis of the left kidney and ureter. Ureteroliths were removed via ureterotomy and a ureteral stent was placed with concurrent fluoroscopy. A 9-year-old German shepherd (B) was presented with the diagnosis of unilateral nephroureterolithiasis and treated as above.
Results
Recovery was uneventful and both patients were discharged 3 days postoperatively receiving amoxicillin/ clavulanic acid and tramadol, while allopurinol was discontinued. In patient A, the stent was removed 11 months postoperatively due to migration. 4 years (A) and 4 months (B) after surgery, the two dogs remain free of clinical signs.
Conclusions
Ureteral stent placement can be performed via minimally invasive or open surgical techniques. To date, there have been multiple veterinary studies reported in dogs, that revealed high success rates in ureteral stent placement and minor complications.
