Masked urethral injury by urinary catheter in a female dog

This report describes the importance of careful diagnosis of intrapelvic urethra in cases of pelvic fractures. A 2-year-old intacted female Spitz with multiple pelvic fractures following traffic accident was treated with internal fixation. Urethral catheter was dislodged and patient discharged in good conditions. Next day, the patient was readmitted with vomiting and dysuria. Retrograde urethrography (RUG) revealed a urethral rupture by a broken bone fragment at bladder outlet which repaired by urethral anastomosis. A delayed diagnosis of urethral rupture was because of absence of the signs at the time of first visit. Moreover early urethral catheterization can mask the problems of urinary tract. As urethral rupture in female dog has been reported uncommon compared with male, examination including RUG should more careful.