A Vaginal Cyst Causing Dysuria and Dyschezia in a Bitch

Abstract

A 9-year-old female dog was referred to Azabu University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for dysuria and dyschezia after ovariohysterectomy. After a series of diagnostic imaging, vaginal obstruction was suspected by vaginal fluid retention. Surgical repair was attempted three times to establish patency through the vagina and the vestibule by episiotomy and laparotomy. Another laparotomy was performed to remove the entire vaginal mucosal layer to prevent recurrence, which resulted in favorable outcome. Histopathological examination revealed that the resected tissue was a cyst originated from mesonephric duct remnant. In the present case, the cyst was curable by the entire resection of the cyst lining membrane, which could eradicate all the secretory cells with least damage to the urethral vasculature and innervation.

Perineal swelling secondary to a vaginal wall cyst in a bitch in dioestrus

“…The ultrasonographic appearance of the cyst was similar to the previously reported vaginal cysts 11. However, this is the first canine report of preoperative investigation using CT.…”

“…Bartholin’s glands are not present in dogs, and therefore, cysts arising from these glands should not be included in the differentials list. To the knowledge of the authors, these are the only four cases of vaginal cysts described in the veterinary literature 9–12…”

“…In dogs, only a few cases of cysts arising from the cranial vagina have been reported in intact females. The most frequent clinical signs include tenesmus, dyschaezia and dysuria 9–12. Two of the bitches were diagnosed with Gartner’s duct cysts arising from the vestigial remnants of the mesonephric (Wolffian) ducts10 12 but one of them was reported to have complex malformations of the urogenital tract 12.…”

“…Two of the bitches were diagnosed with Gartner’s duct cysts arising from the vestigial remnants of the mesonephric (Wolffian) ducts10 12 but one of them was reported to have complex malformations of the urogenital tract 12. The remaining two isolated cases had cysts originating from the urogenital tract9 and mesonephric duct remnants 11. Bartholin’s glands are not present in dogs, and therefore, cysts arising from these glands should not be included in the differentials list.…”

Clitoral cyst in a bitch

“…4,14 Similar mechanical interference has been described in cases of vaginal cysts. [22][23][24] In one dog that presented with an osclitoridis, there may have been derangements of normal urethral anatomy, including the urethra coursing through the hypertrophied clitoris. 23 A definitive mechanism for this patient's urinary incontinence was not identified, but clinical signs resolved with removal of the mass.…”