Hydronephrosis in a four-year-old Basset Hound

Abstract

A four-year-old female spayed Basset Hound was referred to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals Soft Tissue Surgery Service for treatment of hydronephrosis and possible nephrectomy. Previous abdominal radiographs revealed a large cranial-middle abdominal mass. Abdominal ultrasound revealed severe hydronephrosis and hydroureter on the left. Urine culture revealed a urinary tract infection. The patient was taken to surgery and left ureteronephrectomy and cystotomy were performed and previous surgical ligation of the left ureter were found. The patient was placed on pain medications and antibiotics post-operatively and recovered well, with her UTI resolving approximately 3 weeks post-operatively. This case discussion will include the anatomy of canine ureters, methods of ureteral surgery, and methods of avoiding ureteral damage during ovariohysterectomy.