Urogenital fistula associated with complex dystocia and emergency ovariohysterectomy in a juvenile dog

A 1-year-old, female, spayed dog was referred for urinary incontinence, first noted after a complex dystocia and caesarean section with ovariohysterectomy. Transabdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography with intravenous contrast administration revealed a fluid-filled tubular structure caudodorsal to the urinary bladder. Routine cystourethroscopy was unremarkable. A retrograde cystourethrogram revealed a 15 mm long connection between the urethra and a structure presumed to be a uterine body remnant. During exploratory laparotomy, the uterine remnant and urethra were separated, leaving oval defects approximately 15 mm long in both; these were then closed. A urinary catheter was left in place for 6 days. A urethrogram performed during catheter removal confirmed closure of the fistula, and the dog was subsequently continent. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of a urogenital fistula suspected to be associated with dystocia and emergency ovariohysterectomy in a dog.