Patient: Emma, 4 year old spayed female mixed breed dog.
Presenting complaint: Two month duration of straining to void with blood in the urine. There was also a urinary tract infection that initially responded to antibiotics.
Diagnostic studies before endoscopy: The complete blood count and chemistry profiles studies were within normal limits. The urinalysis sediment contained many red blood cells in contrast to less than 5 leukocytes per high powered field and no bacteria. Ultrasonography and an excretory urogram were normal.
Endoscopic procedure: Cystoscopy determined that red blood was coming from the right ureter and normal urine from the left. No surgery was performed at this time as there was no evidence of ureteral obstruction or anemia due to blood loss.
Benefits of using endoscopy: Cystoscopy was minimally invasive and gave excellent color and dynamic images to understand the disease process better. In people, the source of hematuria is frequently benign tumors and minor vascular abnormalities. These can sometimes be located and managed by passing a flexible scope up the ureter.
