Outcomes of scrotal urethrostomy with poliglecaprone 25 in dogs: 67 cases (2011 to 2023).

Objective: To determine the complication rate of canine scrotal urethrostomy (SU) performed with poliglecaprone 25 and identify risk factors for complications.

Animals: We studied 67 dogs treated with SU.

Procedure: Medical records of dogs that underwent SU between 2011 and 2023 at Garden State Veterinary Specialists and its satellite hospitals were reviewed. Information regarding signalment, urinary tract infections, suture pattern, indication for surgery, concurrent surgical procedures, and postoperative complications was recorded.

Results: We found that 21 of 67 (31.34%) dogs experienced minor complications while hospitalized. Average length of hospitalization was 2.18 d. The short-term (< 2 mo) complication rate was 40.6% (26/64), and all were minor complications. Furthermore, 20 of 56 (35.71%) dogs had minor complications at long-term follow-up (> 2 mo). Dogs requiring an SU for conditions such as trauma, paraphimosis, priapism, urethral prolapse, and hypospadias had a 5.32× higher risk of complications than those with urolithiasis. No other significant risk factors for complications were identified.

Conclusion and clinical relevance: We inferred that poliglecaprone 25 may be an acceptable suture material for canine SU. Major complications were rare and long-term outcomes were favorable.