Case Study

Bladder wall thickening in a 6 year old FI Pit Bull Terrier

A 6-year-old intact female Pit Bull Terrier dog was presented for evaluation of a palpable bladder tumor, hematuria, and stranguria. Urinalysis showed inappropriate SG (1.022), hematuria, and pyuria. On survey radiographs a soft tissue opacity was evident in the region of the urinary bladder.

A 6-year-old intact female Pit Bull Terrier dog was presented for evaluation of a palpable bladder tumor, hematuria, and stranguria. Urinalysis showed inappropriate SG (1.022), hematuria, and pyuria. On survey radiographs a soft tissue opacity was evident in the region of the urinary bladder.

Sonographic Differential Diagnosis

There is ureteral ectopy with bladder wall thickening. There is also potential neoplastic or chronic inflammatory disease, with bilateral mild to moderate hydronephrosis. Surgical intervention with ureteral transposition and apical resection of the bladder wall is recommended. Histopathology, as well as culture and sensitivity of the bladder wall, is also recommended.

Image Interpretation

The kidneys presented bilateral hydronephrosis that measured 2.4 cm each with minor, degenerative changes in the cortices. Both ureters were dilated, with the dilation continuing bilaterally to the level of the urinary bladder. The ureters then entered into the bladder wall apically instead of in the region of the trigone. Significant bladder wall thickening was noted and measured 6.1 cm. However, the thickening appeared uniform and is more consistent with chronic cystitis than neoplasia. The ventral and dorsal caudal aspects of the bladder, as well as the trigone and proximal urethra, appeared normal.