"Woffie" Stein, a nine year old intact male German Shephard was presented because of occaisonal urinary incontinence (urine
dripping) for 4 months duration. Upon physical exam he was noted to have a moderately distended abdomen that was quite tense. A rectal exam revealed an enlarged prostate. A radiograph (x-ray) was
ordered which revealed a mass filling the entire abdominal cavity.A biopsy was not considered prudent because of the concern that this could be a
blood filled tumor of the spleen (hemangiosarcoma) with risk of hemorrhage or rupture. Laboratory findings revealed mildly elevated kidney values and a urinalysis within normal limits.
|
1 Gallon of urine was drained from Woffie's enlarged urinary bladder! |
Permission was given for an exploratory surgery. The large abdominal mass was revealed to be Woffie's urinary bladder which was the size of a basketball! A
urinary catheter was placed up is urethra and slowly drained a gallon of urine from his bladder before closing the abdomen. His prostrate was visualized and found to be 6 times the
normal size. A prostatic biopsy was taken and the urinary catheter sutured in place to maintain bladder drainage. In an effort to reduce the size of the prostate gland, castration was
performed. Woffie was placed on antibiotics and Bethanicol a drug which promotes tone and contraction to the bladder. Biopsy results revealed a benign prostatic hyperplasia, a noncancerous
enlargement of the prostate.The catheter was left in his bladder for 3 weeks while his prostate enlargement declined and his bladder tone improved. Five months
after surgery Woffie is doing well but still needs medication to maintain bladder tone. Prostatic tumors, infections, and enlargements are not uncommon
findings in male dogs that were not neutered at a young age. However, the surprising size that Woffie's bladder achieved without rupturing, and the required combination of both surgical and medical
management of his condition made him an interesting and challenging patient to treat. |
