Hydrocolpos in dogs: surgical treatment in two cases

Abstract

Two young female dogs were diagnosed with hydrocolpos as a result of a congenital vaginal obstruction. In one dog, hydrocolpos had led to faecal tenesmus; in the other, the condition was an incidental finding during laparotomy. Diagnostic tests included vaginoscopy, ultrasonography and retrograde vagino-urethrocystography. In both dogs, the obstruction was located at the junction between the caudal vagina and the vaginal vestibule. Anastomosis of the caudal vagina and vestibule through an episiotomy was successful in both cases.

Congenital Aplasia of the Uterine-Vaginal Segment in Dogs

“…It has been proposed to correspond to incomplete canalization of atrectic segments (Gee et al, 1977;McIntyre et al, 2010). Impairment of fluid drainage induces fluid accumulation above the obstruction and consequently distension of cranial reproductive tract (Gee et al, 1977;Viehoff & Sjollema, 2003;McIntyre et al, 2010). In contrast to the observed in the previously described situations, fluid accumulates within the uterus (mucometra) and the vagina (hydrocolpos).…”

“…Animals presenting segmental stenosis of the vagina, as do those showing aplasia of the uterus or of the cervix, do not present the typical estrus vulvar discharge, despite the existence of regular cyclicity (Viehoff & Sjollema, 2003). However, chronicle, intermittent vaginitis is the most frequently described clinical symptom and the common to all the reports on segmental stenosis of the vagina (Gee et al, 1977;Kyles et al, 1996;Viehoff & Sjollema, 2003).…”

“…However, chronicle, intermittent vaginitis is the most frequently described clinical symptom and the common to all the reports on segmental stenosis of the vagina (Gee et al, 1977;Kyles et al, 1996;Viehoff & Sjollema, 2003). It usually induces a more or less intense vulvar discharge, excessive licking of the vagina and dysuria.…”

“…Vaginal stenosis has been described as occurring as a complete misdevelopment of all the layers of the vagina, which may be reduced to an atretic segment with variable importance ( Figure 1I) (Gee et al, 1977;Viehoff & Sjollema, 2003;Romagnoli & Schlafer, 2006) or as originating from the absence of internal canalization with normal developmental of the external layers (Wadsword et al, 1978). The existence of a vaginal cyst cranial to the occlusion has been referred, which has been attributed to incomplete canalization of the embryonic derivate, hence allowing the development of intermediary segments between missing portions (Gee et al, 1977;McEntee, 1990).…”

“…The existence of a vaginal cyst cranial to the occlusion has been referred, which has been attributed to incomplete canalization of the embryonic derivate, hence allowing the development of intermediary segments between missing portions (Gee et al, 1977;McEntee, 1990). The undeveloped segment is usually located near the vestibulo-vaginal junction (Gee et al, 1977;Kyles et al, 1996;Viehoff & Sjollema, 2003) and on gross evaluation morphology of the anatomical region may share some resemblances with imperforate hymen. The missing segment may present variable extension.…”